ISLAMABAD — On August 12, 2025, Pakistan and the United States held a key round of their bilateral counterterrorism dialogue, underscoring a renewed commitment to joint action against terrorism. The meeting took place in Islamabad and forms part of a structured framework of cooperation aimed at enhancing regional and global security.
Dialogue Co-Chairs and Diplomatic Representation
The session was co-chaired by Special Secretary for the United Nations, Nabeel Munir, representing Pakistan, and Gregory D. LoGerfo, Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State. The high-level engagement was marked by mutual recognition of shared security challenges and the need for sustained strategic coordination.
A Unified Front Against Terrorism
Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to countering terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations,” including the use of emerging technologies and transnational financing. The discussion highlighted a shared vision of long-term peace and regional stability rooted in intelligence collaboration and operational coordination.
Focus on Specific Threats
The two sides agreed on the need for targeted action against major terror groups, including:
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Fitna al Hindustan (FAH)/ Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)
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ISIS-Khorasan (Daesh-K)
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Fitna al Khwarij (FAK)/ Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
The US side acknowledged Pakistan’s frontline sacrifices and praised its continued success in degrading terrorist entities operating in the region.
🔊 PR No.2️⃣3️⃣9️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Pakistan-US Counter-Terrorism Dialogue Joint Press Statement https://t.co/6LFMV00s0a
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QKL4Vq5Ciu— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 12, 2025
Recognition of Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Efforts
The United States delegation conveyed condolences for recent terror attacks in Pakistan, specifically mentioning the Jaffar Express bombing and the school bus blast in Khuzdar. The U.S. also commended the professionalism of Pakistan’s law enforcement and counterterrorism agencies, highlighting their role in securing the region and contributing to broader global security efforts.
Expanding Areas of Cooperation
The dialogue emphasized the need to:
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Strengthen institutional frameworks for response readiness
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Enhance joint capacity-building efforts
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Combat terrorist misuse of digital platforms and cryptocurrencies
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Promote cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations, for effective counterterrorism strategies
This round of talks comes shortly after the United States designated the BLA and its Majeed Brigade as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)—a move strongly welcomed by Pakistan, which has long maintained that anti-state groups targeting civilians and security forces in Balochistan operate with transnational enablers.
A Sign of Renewed Strategic Alignment
This latest dialogue reflects a growing convergence between Washington and Islamabad on matters of security, marking what many analysts see as a recalibration of trust and cooperation after years of policy divergence.
“The shared threat landscape demands collective vigilance, mutual respect, and pragmatic coordination,” said a senior Pakistani official after the meeting. “Pakistan remains committed to defending its sovereignty and contributing meaningfully to global counterterrorism frameworks.”
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