In 2025, Pakistan-US counterterrorism cooperation has entered a new phase of strategic depth and engagement, reflecting the changing South Asian security environment and wider ramifications for world peace. This mutual engagement highlights the shared understanding that terrorism is a continuous and changing threat that demands for ongoing cooperation on terrorism. It is characterized by high-level dialogues, common goals, and effective operational coordination.
Looking Back
Although Pakistan and the US have a long history of counterterrorism cooperation, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, drive the relationship into the spotlight. Despite facing a violent insurgency within its own borders, Pakistan became a frontline state in the ‘War on Terror’, providing vital logistical and intelligence support. This cooperation has seen ups and downs over the last two decades, ranging from close cooperation that celebrated victories against the militancy in the region to times of mistrust brought on by conflicting agendas that end in charges of dishonesty and accusations of duplicity.
Nevertheless, the long-term strategic justification for collaboration is still evident: Pakistan is a vital ally of the US in the fight against terrorism due to its geographic proximity to Afghanistan and its internal continued struggle with militant organizations. Formalized through continuous discussions and collaborative efforts, the contemporary renewed partnership reflects pragmatic reassessment, lessons learnt, and the need to adjust to emerging threats.
Contemporary Dialogue
This improved collaboration is exemplified by the recent Pakistan-U.S. Counterterrorism Dialogue held in Islamabad this year. The discussions, which were co-chaired by Gregory D. LoGerfo, the Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US State Department, and Nabeel Munir, Special Secretary of Pakistan for the United Nations Affairs, focused on a common commitment to combat terrorism ‘in all its forms and manifestations.’
The discussion broadened its focus beyond tactical operations and intelligence sharing to include financing networks, the misuse of emerging technologies, and the significance of bolstering multilateral platforms such as the United Nations.
The growing use of commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (I mean the drones) by terrorist organizations, like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to plan lethal attacks is one issue that has been brought to light. Options for coordinated technical reactions to this novel form of asymmetric warfare were discussed. The U.S. designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliates as foreign terrorist organizations was also praised by Pakistan, which supports the perception of Islamabad about the BLA as a serious internal security threat backed by hostile outside forces.
Operational Cooperation
Pakistan is still seriously engaged in military and paramilitary operations against firmly established militant organizations based in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the areas bordering Afghanistan. Significant progress has been made by the security forces of Pakistan in dismantling terrorist networks, infrastructure, and funding. Through training initiatives, targeted financial sanctions against internationally connected terror funding channels, and intelligence assistance, the US has further strengthened these efforts.
The requisite of relentless vigilance and coordinated operational planning has been further highlighted by the rise of Islamic State of Khorasan (IS-K) Province as a disruptive force in the area. In order to stop IS-K and related extremist ideologies from spreading, Pakistan and the US agree that coordinated cross-border surveillance, intelligence fusion, and counter-narrative efforts are essential.
Diplomatic Engagement
In 2025, the political component of the mutual engagement has rushed beyond technical cooperation. An important turning point in defense and security diplomacy has been reached with the visit of the Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to the US These interactions, which have included meetings with the President and Pentagon leadership, have positioned counterterrorism cooperation alongside trade and economic discussions, indicating a comprehensive approach to the bilateral relations and shared goals.
The public support for ongoing bilateral talks by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar further demonstrates determination of Islamabad to keep counterterrorism cooperation separate from broader political disputes. Military leaders on the American side, including General Michael Kurilla, the Chief of the US Central Command, have openly hailed Pakistan as a ‘phenomenal partner,’ acknowledging the sacrifices made by Islamabad in the continuous war on terror.
Potential Challenges
Notwithstanding the emerging trend, this cooperation faces innate difficulties and challenges. Firstly, despite positive developments, the partnership still faces significant obstacles. Terrorist organizations are always changing their strategies and utilizing new technologies, necessitating countermeasures that are equally creative and adaptable.
Pakistan has made significant strides in the battlefield, but it is important to view the conversion of these military victories into long-term peace and stability critically and cautiously, especially in areas affected by insurgencies where socioeconomic grievances are deeply ingrained. Since military action is insufficient to address the structural causes of instability, ignoring or underestimating these underlying issues runs the risk of extending cycles of unrest.
Second, the counterterrorism landscape is made more complex by terrorist actors’ growing use of emerging technologies, such as drone attacks, encrypted communications, and cyber-enabled propaganda. Both Pakistan and the US must create quickly changing, high-tech counterterrorism frameworks to combat these complex threats. This calls for increased funding for cooperative technology sharing, research and development initiatives, and improved cybersecurity cooperation. I think, even the most well-meaning counterterrorism efforts risk lagging behind terrorist innovation if they lack the flexibility to adapt.
Thirdly, this collaboration is made more complex by the broader geopolitical context. The unstable and unresolved situation in Afghanistan, along with long-standing tensions in Pakistan-India relations, continue to influence the regional security equation. The Pakistan-US partnership must carefully manage the diplomatic sensitivities created by these dynamics to prevent unanticipated escalation or blunders. Managing these regional complexities while keeping a laser-like focus on shared security goals is still a difficult balancing act.
All things considered, even though the Pakistan-US counterterrorism cooperation is gaining traction, it needs to move forward with cautious pragmatism — recognizing the complex and interconnected issues pertaining to socioeconomic variables, technological advancement, and regional geopolitics — in order to create a viable path towards long-term security and stability.
Why This Matters for the World?
The effectiveness of the US-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation transcends bilateral relations it its scope. Global trade routes, migration patterns, and the strategic design of superpowers are all impacted somehow by terrorism in South Asia. The danger of terrorist safe havens that can carry out attacks well beyond regional borders is decreased by this efficient coordination.
Additionally, this tie establishes significant standards for trust-building and diplomatic interaction between nations with occasionally conflicting interests. It demonstrates how shared security concerns can unite people and allow for reasonable discussion despite more general disagreements.
To conclude, this 2025 US-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation is a prime example of a practical and dynamic partnership based on reciprocal advantages and threats. An advanced framework that is well-suited to address the complexity of contemporary terrorism is indicated by the renewed emphasis on multifaceted cooperation, which includes tactical operations, technological adaptation, diplomatic engagement, and strategic multilateralism.
Both nations need to keep spending money on developing institutional capabilities, encouraging trust between them, and modifying their plans in response to the ever-evolving threat landscape. Even though there are still obstacles to overcome, such as insurgency dynamics, technological developments, and regional geopolitical pressures, the framework created by continuous discussions and cooperative commitments provides a strong basis for potential development.
This cooperation serves as a vital pillar of regional and global security in a world still struggling with the persistent threat of terrorism, proving that the best ways to address shared security are through collaboration, mutual respect, and strategic clarity. In addition to security operations, the growing partnership between the US and Pakistan in counterterrorism aims to promote stability, facilitate prosperity, and map out a safer future for South Asia and beyond.
*The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of TDI.
Abdul Haq
Abdul Haq holds an MS degree in International Relations from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Jilin University, the People’s Republic of China. He writes on global issues, international politics, international law, peace, conflict, and security. He currently works as a research assistant in CCTVES, the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, Pakistan. He can be reached at ahsafi.edu@gmail.com
