Terrorist Groups
Pakistan and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation in addressing critical regional and global security challenges, particularly concerning the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh.
In a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office on Monday, it was disclosed that Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, Additional Foreign Secretary for the UN and OIC, and Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, US Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism, co-chaired the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue on May 10 in Washington.
The dialogue centered on assessing the counterterrorism landscape in the region, with a specific focus on shared interests and areas of collaboration.
Both Pakistani and US senior officials stressed the significance of expanding cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, including the exchange of technical expertise and best practices, assistance in investigations and prosecutions, enhancement of border security infrastructure and training.
Since the last Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue in March 2023, the United States has provided training to over 300 police and frontline responders.
Acknowledging the threat posed by ISIS-Khorasan, TTP, and other terrorist organizations, Pakistan and the United States emphasized that a joint partnership in countering these groups would not only enhance regional security but also serve as a model for bilateral and regional cooperation against transnational terrorism threats.
Both governments committed to strengthening communication and collaboration to detect and deter violent extremism through comprehensive approaches involving all government agencies.
The Counterterrorism Dialogue underscores the shared determination of Pakistan and the United States to contribute to regional and global security and stability.
A Security Report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in April 2024 highlighted that the majority of fatalities and attacks in Pakistan during the first quarter of 2024 were concentrated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, emphasizing the ongoing security challenges in these regions.
