WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening counterterrorism cooperation, with both countries pledging to work together against regional militant threats including Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), Al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The commitment was made during the fourth U.S.-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue held in Washington, D.C., on August 4, where officials from both sides reviewed the regional security environment and explored new avenues for cooperation.
The U.S. delegation was led by Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Gregory LoGerfo, while Pakistan's delegation was headed by Special Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Nabeel Munir.
According to a joint statement released by the two governments, the dialogue highlighted the shared interests underpinning the U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism partnership and underscored a mutual determination to confront terrorism and violent extremism.
Delegations exchanged views on the current threat landscape and discussed measures to strengthen border security and disrupt terrorist facilitation networks.
The two sides specifically reaffirmed their resolve to combat terrorist organizations that threaten the security of their citizens and the stability of the broader region, naming ISIS-K, Al Qaeda, TTP and the BLA and its affiliates among the groups of concern.
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| Participants of the dialogue in a group photograph |
The dialogue comes at a time when Pakistan is facing a resurgence of militant violence, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security forces have reported increased attacks by armed groups over the past several years. Islamabad has repeatedly called for greater international cooperation to address cross-border militant networks and emerging terrorist threats.
The meeting also reflects the continued security dimension of U.S.-Pakistan relations despite broader shifts in bilateral ties following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Counterterrorism cooperation has remained one of the principal areas of engagement between Washington and Islamabad, with both governments maintaining regular consultations on regional security issues.
In their joint statement, the two countries emphasized that ongoing counterterrorism collaboration would contribute not only to the safety and security of their own citizens but also to their shared vision of regional peace, prosperity and stability.
The dialogue was the fourth in a series of formal bilateral counterterrorism consultations aimed at enhancing coordination on security challenges and strengthening institutional cooperation between the two countries.
The dialogue comes at a time when Pakistan's relations with neighbouring Afghanistan are extremely strained due to ruling Afghan Taliban's alleged support to anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies charges.
On the other hand, the United States relations with Afghanistan are apparently frozen, with not much warmth eversince the Islamic militia's takeover of power in 2023.
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