[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]ISLAMABAD: The United States hinted on Tuesday that it would revive some of the post-9/11 counter-terrorism programmes to help Pakistan combat the resurgent danger of terrorism posed by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups.
The news came at the end of a two-day counter-terrorism meeting held by Pakistan in the midst of a new wave of terrorism.
The two-day policy-focused discussion was led by Christopher Landberg, Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the US Department of State, and Syed Haider Shah, Assistant Secretary for the UN and Economic Diplomacy at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to a statement released by the US Embassy, the dialogue provided an opportunity to discuss the counterterrorism landscape in Pakistan and the region, with a focus on areas where the US and Pakistan can better collaborate to counter regional and global threats, improve cooperation, prevent and counter violent extremism, and combat terrorism financing.
“Both countries committed to continue discussing paths to relaunch or develop counterterrorism programmes to aid Pakistan’s efforts to better battle all kinds of violent extremism,” the statement stated.
Despite evacuating troops from neighbouring Afghanistan in August 2021, the US appears to want to retain counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan, according to the statement.
There were fears that the US will forsake Pakistan entirely following its withdrawal from Afghanistan. Observers argue that the current surge of engagements suggests otherwise.
According to the US statement, the counterterrorism dialogue highlights the US and Pakistan’s growing collaboration in a variety of sectors.
“These partnerships are being advanced through high-level bilateral meetings, such as the recently concluded Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) Council Ministerial in Washington, DC, and the upcoming Strategic Energy Dialogue and Climate and Environment Working Group meetings in Pakistan,” according to the statement.
“The counterterrorism discussion is only one example of an ever-stronger bilateral relationship based on common principles and interests,” according to the US summary.
According to a second Foreign Office statement, the two-day discussions addressed a wide range of themes, including counter-terrorism cooperation at multilateral forums, an evaluation of the regional counterterrorism landscape, cyber security, and fighting violent extremism.
The United States’ assistance initiatives in Pakistan were examined, with a special emphasis on capacity building in the anti-money laundering and justice sectors. Both parties emphasised the significance of these programmes in strengthening Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
The two parties discussed their experiences against terrorist financing. They reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations.
They also decided to continue the conversation and gain a deeper grasp of the terrorism danger.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
