US, Pakistan Hold Counterterrorism Talks In Islamabad After BLA Terror Listing
The US and Pakistan held the latest round of the US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad on Tuesday. The high-level discussions came just a day after Washington officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliated unit, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs), reflecting increasing international concern over the threat posed by the groups in the region.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Pakistan's Special Secretary for the United Nations, Nabeel Munir, and the US Department of State's Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Gregory D. LoGerfo. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and enhancing regional security.
According to an official joint press release, delegations from both countries reviewed existing threats and explored ways to develop coordinated and effective counterterrorism strategies. Specific focus was placed on groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), all of which continue to pose serious threats to Pakistan's internal stability and wider regional peace.
The US acknowledged and commended Pakistan's ongoing efforts to curb the influence of terrorist networks. US officials also expressed condolences for the victims of recent terror attacks in Pakistan, including incidents like the deadly Jaffar Express train bombing and the tragic attack on a school bus in Khuzdar, which have left dozens of civilians and security personnel dead or injured.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to long-term collaboration in countering terrorism, underscoring the importance of sustained cooperation, intelligence-sharing, and capacity building. The dialogue also reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral relationship, with both delegations agreeing on the importance of promoting regional peace, stability, and the rule of law.
The designation of the BLA as an FTO by the US follows its earlier classification in 2019 as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group. The BLA has waged decades-long insurgency in Balochistan, a resource-rich province in southwestern Pakistan, demanding independence and autonomy from the central government.
The counterterrorism dialogue also comes on the heels of Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir's visit to Washington on August 10. During his meetings with senior US officials, General Munir reportedly issued a statement with a nuclear threat, as he said, 'We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us."
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