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Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Islamabad hosts Pak-US counterterrorism talks as both sides vow to tackle new militant tactics
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to combating militancy and addressing new security threats during a joint counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Pakistani foreign office said. The talks, 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, covered strategies to counter militant groups and adapt to emerging security challenges such as the use of new technologies by non-state actors. The latest meeting was the third counterterrorism dialogue in less than two years, following sessions in May 2024 and March 2023, signaling a renewed phase in joint efforts to counter both traditional militant threats and emerging, technology-driven dangers posed by non-state actors. 'Both delegations emphasized the importance of building stronger institutional frameworks and developing capabilities to respond to security challenges and to counter the use of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes,' the foreign office said in a joint statement after the talks. 'The United States applauded Pakistan's continued successes to contain terrorist entities that pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world.' The discussions focused on groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Daesh's Khorasan chapter, and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The BLA separatist group, which claimed last year's hijacking of a train in Pakistan's southwestern mountains in which 31 soldiers, staff and civilians were killed, was designated a 'foreign terrorist organization' by Washington on Monday, alongside its Majeed Brigade special operations unit, a move aimed at restricting their funding and support networks. In recent months, Pakistan has reported the use of commercial drones by TTP militants in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to attack security forces and civilian targets, marking a dangerous shift in militant tactics. At the Islamabad talks, both countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to promote 'effective and enduring approaches to counterterrorism.' Following the dialogue, LoGerfo met Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who 'encouraged sustained and structured bilateral engagement on counterterrorism between both countries, as a vital contributor to peace and stability in the region and beyond,' the statement added. Pakistan and the US have a long, complex history of security cooperation, particularly during the US-led 'War on Terror' after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, when Islamabad was a key partner in military operations in Afghanistan. In the years since, relations have repeatedly been strained over terrorism and security issues, and were particularly bad during the last government of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who publicly accused Washington of working with his political opponents and the military to remove him from office — a charge all three deny. Under the current US President Donald Trump administration, ties have warmed again, with both sides signaling a renewed willingness to deepen military, counterterrorism and economic cooperation.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
US official meets Dar
ISLAMABAD: The US Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Gregory D Lo Gerfo, Tuesday, called on the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Dar was briefed on the discussions held during the Pakistan-US CT Dialogue. Dar encouraged sustained and structured bilateral engagement on counterterrorism between both countries, as a vital contributor to peace and stability in the region and beyond. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
US ‘Applauds' Pakistan For ‘Success In Containing Terrorists' Days After Adding Terror Tag To TRF
Last Updated: The praise for Pakistan comes days after the US designated The Resistance Front -- involved in the Palagam attack -- as a terrorist organisation before tensions with India rose. In a move likely to further deepen ongoing tensions with India, the United States has applauded Pakistan's 'continued success" in fighting 'terrorist entities that pose a threat to peace and security of the region". A joint statement, released by both countries after the Pakistan-US Counter-Terrorism Dialogue held in Islamabad on Tuesday, said that they reaffirmed the 'commitment" to 'combating terrorism". This comes even though India put out strong evidence of the Pakistani link of the Pahalgam attack terrorists in front of the world. The development also comes days after the US designated The Resistance Front – an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba – as both a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). 'The United States applauded Pakistan's continued successes to contain terrorist entities that pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world," Pakistan's foreign ministry quoted the joint statement as saying. 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 statement mentioned the Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and said that their activities pose terrorist threats to Pakistan. This comes a day after the US designated the BLA and its alias, The Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation, shortly after the second visit of Pakistani army chief Asim Munir to the United States in two months. The BLA has been fighting for decades against the Pakistani government for independence. 'Furthermore, the United States expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and members of law enforcement agencies in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including the barbaric Jaffar Express terrorist attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar," the statement said. view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 07:27 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, US vow closer collaboration in fight against terrorism
Listen to article Pakistan and the United States have reaffirmed their intention to work together closely in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to advance effective and enduring counterterrorism strategies. A joint press statement confirmed that the latest round of the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue took place on Tuesday, where both sides reiterated their shared commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The dialogue was co-chaired by Nabeel Munir, Special Secretary for the United Nations, and Gregory D LoGerfo, Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US Department of State. Delegations from both countries underscored the importance of developing effective counterterrorism measures, particularly in relation to groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). We remain committed to countering terrorism in all its forms. Today, Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo and Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker participated in the U.S.-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue, advancing our shared resolve to combat this global threat.… — U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) August 12, 2025 The US praised Pakistan's continued efforts to contain terrorist groups that threaten both regional and global peace. It also extended condolences for the loss of civilians and law enforcement officers in recent terrorist attacks, including the Jaffar Express bombing and the deadly school bus attack in Khuzdar. Both delegations emphasised the need to build stronger institutional frameworks and enhance capabilities to respond to emerging security challenges, particularly the use of new technologies by terrorist groups. Reaffirming the long-standing partnership between the two nations, both sides agreed that sustained and structured engagement is crucial to countering terrorism and fostering peace and stability in the region. The U.S. Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Gregory D. LoGerfo, today called on the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50. The DPM/FM Dar was briefed on the discussions held during the Pakistan- U.S. CT Dialogue. The DPM/FM… — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 12, 2025 A day earlier, the US designated the BLA and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTO), the State Department issued a statement on its website. The statement further said that the Majeed Brigade has also been added as an alias to BLA's previous Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) listing, which makes it a crime in the US to provide support to the groups. BLA was first designated as an SDGT in 2019 following multiple terrorist attacks. Since then, the group has claimed responsibility for further violent incidents, including attacks carried out by the Majeed Brigade, the statement added. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that today's action underlines the Trump administration's commitment to countering terrorism. 'Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,' Rubio said.
