Terrorism is a grave menace that transcends borders and threatens global peace, stability, and development. No nation is immune to its devastating effects; societies across continents have suffered loss of life, economic disruption, and erosion of social cohesion due to acts of terror. The magnitude of this challenge is immense, and it is far beyond the capacity of any single country to confront it in isolation. Defeating terrorism demands sustained international cooperation, mutual trust, and a collective commitment to address not only its manifestations but also its underlying causes. Encouragingly, there is a growing recognition of this reality, and many nations are already engaged in meaningful partnerships to combat the threat. Pakistan and the United States, in particular, share a long-standing commitment to working together across all dimensions—intelligence sharing, capacity building, border security, and diplomatic engagement—towards the common goal of eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
On August 12, 2025, Islamabad once again became the venue for an important reaffirmation of shared resolve. Pakistan and the United States held the latest round of the Pakistan–U.S. Counterterrorism Dialogue, co-chaired by Special Secretary for the United Nations Ambassador Nabeel Munir and U.S. Department of State Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory D. LoGerfo.
The meeting’s tone was clear and consistent — both nations see terrorism not as a distant problem, but as a shared threat demanding coordinated, sustained, and practical cooperation. The dialogue identified key challenges, including the threats posed by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ISIS-Khorasan (IS-K), and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Both delegations emphasized building stronger institutional frameworks, enhancing capacity to meet security challenges, and countering the misuse of emerging technologies by terrorist actors. They also reaffirmed the importance of working closely in multilateral fora such as the United Nations to promote effective and enduring approaches to counterterrorism.
The United States praised Pakistan’s continued successes in containing terrorist entities and expressed condolences for the loss of innocent lives in recent incidents, including the barbaric Jaffar Express attack and the Khuzdar school bus bombing. In turn, Pakistan reiterated its commitment to sustained and structured engagement to ensure long-term peace and stability.
A History of Cooperation
The Pakistan–U.S. counterterrorism partnership has deep historical roots, shaped by regional and global events. During the Cold War, both countries worked together in regional security frameworks, but the relationship took on a new dimension after the September 11, 2001 attacks. In the ensuing two decades, Pakistan became a key partner in U.S. counterterrorism strategy in South Asia.
Post-9/11 cooperation included intelligence sharing, logistical support for NATO operations in Afghanistan, and large-scale counterterrorism operations against militant groups operating within Pakistan’s borders. Notable military campaigns such as Operation Zarb-e-Azb (2014) and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad (2017) significantly degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist networks, dismantled safe havens, and improved Pakistan’s internal security.
While political ties between Islamabad and Washington have experienced fluctuations, counterterrorism has consistently remained a domain of mutual interest. The ability to work together in times of regional crisis has prevented the collapse of this critical security partnership.
Recent Examples of Effective Collaboration
Recent cooperation has yielded concrete and high-impact results. Earlier in 2025, Pakistan’s security forces detained and handed over Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” an alleged ISIS-K planner linked to the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul. The extradition was publicly acknowledged and appreciated by the United States, highlighting the operational value of the partnership.
Similarly, the U.S. designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army and its Majeed Brigade as a Foreign Terrorist Organization aligns with Pakistan’s own security priorities. Such coordinated actions increase international pressure on violent groups, disrupt funding channels, and limit their operational freedom.
Why the Partnership Matters
The strategic significance of Pakistan–U.S. counterterrorism cooperation rests on three key pillars:
Geographic Realities
Pakistan’s location at the crossroads of South and Central Asia, sharing a long border with Afghanistan, places it at the heart of regional counterterrorism efforts. Instability in this geography quickly spills over into neighboring states and beyond.
Complementary Capabilities
Pakistan’s ground intelligence networks, operational reach, and local insights complement U.S. technological assets, global intelligence resources, and diplomatic leverage. Together, these capabilities produce outcomes that neither partner could achieve alone.
Multilateral Leverage
Joint action in platforms like the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) enables both countries to promote global norms against terrorism financing, arms trafficking, and the misuse of emerging technologies.
Acknowledging Costs and Challenges
Counterterrorism cooperation comes with human and material costs, and both sides recognize this reality. Pakistan has sacrificed thousands of civilian and security personnel lives in its fight against terrorism. The trauma of attacks such as those in Khuzdar and on the Jaffar Express underscores the urgency of sustained engagement.
Differences in regional strategic outlook, domestic political pressures, and concerns over sovereignty have at times caused strain. However, the shared imperative to protect lives and promote stability continues to outweigh these challenges.
