Pakistan and US Strengthen Counterterrorism Partnership

Islamabad, Aug 13 (PTI) Pakistan and the United States have concurred on enhancing their cooperation to combat major militant groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban.

The discussions unfolded during a bilateral counterterrorism dialogue held in Islamabad on Tuesday, following the US's designation of the Pakistan-based BLA as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation a day earlier.

The dialogue was jointly led by Nabeel Munir, Pakistan's Special Secretary for the UN, and Gregory D. LoGerfo, the Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US Department of State.

According to a joint statement released after the meeting, both nations reaffirmed their joint commitment to combating terrorism in "all its forms and manifestations".

"Both delegations highlighted the critical importance of crafting effective approaches to address terrorist threats, including those emanating from the Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan," the statement said.

Reiterating the "long-standing partnership" between Pakistan and the US, both parties emphasized that "sustained and structured engagement" is crucial for countering terrorism and fostering peace and stability.

The US lauded Pakistan’s "continued successes in restraining terrorist entities that pose a danger to the peace and security of the region and the world".

Both delegations underscored the significance of fostering robust institutional frameworks and advancing capabilities to address security challenges and counter the exploitation of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes.

They also reaffirmed their aim to collaborate closely in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to "promote effective and enduring counterterrorism approaches".

According to the US State Department, the designation of the BLA and The Majeed Brigade as FTOs "demonstrates the Trump administration’s resolve to counterterrorism".

"Terrorist designations are vital in our battle against this menace and are a potent means to impede support for terrorist activities," mentioned the State Department.

The BLA was blacklisted in 2019 after a spate of deadly attacks in Pakistan but has continued its terrorist activities, including claiming responsibility for the hijacking of the Jaffar Express this year. The hijacking in March resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel.

Pakistan had previously accused India of allegedly supporting the BLA.

Recently, Pakistan and US relationships have significantly improved, as demonstrated by consecutive visits of Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to the US and high-profile interactions, including with President Donald Trump.

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