Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan and the United States on Tuesday reiterated their joint resolve to combat terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations,” following a new round of the Pakistan–US Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad.
According to a joint statement, the meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Special Secretary for the United Nations, Nabeel Munir, and Gregory D. LoGerfo, the US State Department’s Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism.
The talks came just a day after Washington formally designated the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, as foreign terrorist organizations, following a spate of deadly attacks claimed by the group. The BLA had previously been listed as a specially designated global terrorist entity, a label that carries lighter restrictions.
Both sides underscored the need for coordinated strategies to counter threats from the BLA, Daesh-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The US delegation commended Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts and offered condolences over recent attacks, including the Jaffar Express train assault and the Khuzdar school bus bombing.
Read More: What Triggered US to Slam BLA and Majeed Brigade with Terror Label?
The discussions focused on strengthening institutional frameworks, improving operational capabilities, and addressing the misuse of emerging technologies by terrorist networks. Both sides also agreed to work closely in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to advance lasting security measures.
The US Embassy in Islamabad described the dialogue as part of the two countries’ “shared resolve to combat a global threat,” stressing that Washington “remains committed” to this cooperation.
The upgraded US designation of the BLA came as President Donald Trump increased contact with Pakistan, including engagement with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Read More: US Declares BLA, Majeed Brigade as Terrorist Groups
In March, Pakistani authorities detained and extradited to the United States a Daesh-K operative, identified as Sharifullah, also known as Jafar, who is accused of involvement in the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport. The attack, carried out during the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members.
President Trump publicly thanked Pakistan for the arrest, and the State Department said the operation underscored the importance of continued counterterrorism cooperation between the two nations.
Farkhund Yousafzai is a seasoned journalist and analyst with over a decade of experience in the media industry. He specializes in national politics and international relations and regularly contributes as an analyst to national and international media outlets.
