Pakistan, US recognise TTP as threat to regional, global security

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and the United States have recognised that banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Da’ish terrorist group are posing a threat to regional and global security, underscoring close cooperation between the two countries to deal with the challenge.

The two countries held a counter terrorism dialogue in Washington last week and a joint statement issued on Monday.

Additional Foreign Secretary for the UN and OIC, Ambassador Syed Haider Shah, and US Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, co-chaired Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue on May 10 in Washington DC.

The joint statement said the Counterterrorism Dialogue underscored the cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in addressing the most pressing challenges to regional and global security, including TTP and ISIS-Khorasan.

The statement is seen as significant as the US recognised the TTP posed a threat to regional and global security. Previously, the TTP was seen as a threat to Pakistan only. Islamabad has been telling the outside world, particularly the key stakeholders that ignoring the TTP threat may eventually haunt them.

The statement said discussions centered on the counterterrorism landscape in the region, with a focus on areas of mutual interest.

Also read: CENTCOM chief points to Taliban inaction against TTP

“Pakistani and US senior officials emphasised the importance of expanded counterterrorism collaboration and capacity building, including exchanges of technical expertise and best practices, investigative and prosecutorial assistance, provision of border security infrastructure and training, including the United States training of more than 300 police and frontline responders since the last Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue in March 2023, and strengthening multilateral engagement such as in the UN and the Global Counterterrorism Forum,” read the joint statement.

It also noted that Pakistan and the United States recognised that a partnership to counter ISIS-Khorasan, TTP, and other terrorist organisations will advance security in the region and serve as a model of bilateral and regional cooperation to address transnational terrorism threats.

Both governments resolved to increase communication on these topics and continue collaboration to detect and deter violent extremism through whole-of-government approaches. The Counterterrorism Dialogue reaffirms Pakistan’s and the United States’ shared determination to contribute to both regional and global security and stability.

Tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have been brewing for months over the cross border terrorist attacks.

Pakistan has been repeatedly urging the Taliban government to take action against the TTP and its affiliates. However, the Taliban regime has been reluctant to act, triggering an unusual stalemate between the two countries.