John Kirby, the White House National Security Spokesperson, emphasized Pakistan’s continued struggle with terrorism from the Afghan border. He stated that Pakistan faces regular attacks linked to this ongoing threat.
Kirby assured that the United States remains committed to working with Pakistan on counterterrorism efforts. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, January 15, Kirby clarified that Islamabad has never been a “technical ally” of the United States. He explained that no formal treaty exists between the two nations. However, he acknowledged their cooperation over the last two decades to counter terrorist activities near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
The US official reiterated that despite the lack of a formal alliance, both countries have worked together for decades to address the issue of terrorism. He stressed that the threat still persists in the region, particularly in the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Pakistan has consistently accused the Afghan Taliban of supporting militant groups hostile to its interests. However, the Taliban deny these allegations. Over the past three years, Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to expel members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Afghanistan. Pakistan has also demanded the surrender of TTP leaders.
Kirby noted that Pakistan has been a vital partner of the United States in several key periods. During the Cold War, it played a major role in countering Soviet influence in Afghanistan. Later, Pakistan became central to global efforts against terrorism.
These ongoing developments underscore the complex relationship between Pakistan and the United States, particularly in addressing security and terrorism challenges that continue to affect both nations.
