Pak-US counter-terrorism talks in Islamabad have commenced. The aim of the discussions is to address the common threats faced by both nations, with a focus on border security and countering the financing of terrorism.
Currently, there has been a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, particularly after the Pakistani Taliban terminated a fragile cease-fire with the government in November. The local militants, who are a distinct group but share an affiliation with the Afghan Taliban, have carried out several deadly attacks against Pakistani police and security forces in recent months. The ongoing two-day counter-terrorism dialogue between Pakistan and the United States is taking place against this backdrop, and the discussions aim to address common threats to both countries. The state department has stated that the talks will focus on developing policy-oriented strategies regarding cooperation in critical areas such as border security and countering the financing of terrorism. It remains to be seen what concrete steps will emerge from the dialogue to combat the ongoing militant threat in Pakistan.
The Pakistani delegation is being led by Additional Secretary UNED Syed Haider Shah, while the US delegation is headed by Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Christopher Landberg [1]. The talks are expected to cover a range of topics related to counter-terrorism efforts, including intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation, and measures to combat extremist ideologies.
The dialogue between Pakistan and the US comes at a crucial time, with the recent rise of extremist activities in the region. Both countries have been working together to counter the threat of terrorism for many years, with the US providing significant aid and support to Pakistan’s security forces.
The US has previously designated Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, due to numerous terrorist attacks in the country. However, the two countries continue to work together to combat terrorism and promote regional stability.
Overall, the Pak-US counter-terrorism dialogue in Islamabad highlights the continued commitment of both nations to work together to counter terrorism and promote peace in the region. The outcomes of the discussions are eagerly awaited, as they are expected to further strengthen the cooperation between the two nations and enhance their efforts to counter common threats.
