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PAKISTAN, US REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
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Wednesday, 13 August, 2025 | 18 Safar, 1447
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FRESH ROUND OF US-PAKISTAN COUNTERTERRORISM DIALOGUE AGREES ON ADVANCING SHARED RESOLVE TO COMBAT THE GLOBAL THREAT
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BOTH SIDES STRESS DEVELOPING MEASURES AGAINST BLA, TTP, AND ISIS-KHORASAN: FO
Staff report
HE United States said on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to countering terrorism in all its forms with Pakistan and working together closely to advance effective and enduring counterterrorism strategies. A post from the US Embassy in Islamabad on X said the Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo and Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker participated in the US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue, advancing their shared resolve to combat the global threat. “We remain committed to countering terrorism in all its forms,” the embassy said. The statement comes a day after the US State Department designated the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade,
to its Foreign Terrorist Organisation list. The US said the move, long-desired by Pakistan, demonstrated its commitment to countering terrorism, while signalling strengthened cooperation and international coordination in the fight against terrorism. The last US-Pakistan Counterterrorism
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Dialogue was held in May of last year, where both countries reaffirmed the continuation of counterterrorism cooperation to advance regional and global security and stability. The Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement the dialogue was co-chaired by Special Secretary (UN) Ambassador
Nabeel Munir and LoGerfo, adding that the two delegations underscored the critical importance of developing effective approaches to terrorist threats, including those posed by the BLA, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. “The US applauded Pakistan’s continued successes to contain terrorist entities that pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world. Furthermore, the US expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and members of law enforcement agencies in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including the barbaric Jaffar Express terrorist attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar. “Both sides emphasised the importance of building stronger institutional frameworks and developing capabilities to respond to security challenges and to counter the use of emerging technologies for terrorist purposes,” the FO said.
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India can’t snatch even a drop Pakistan welcomes US designation of from Pakistan’s water, warns PM BLA, Majeed Brigade to list of FTOs ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warned India against any designs on the Indus River, saying that it could not snatch “even one drop” of water belonging to Pakistan, reiterating any attempt to block Pakistan’s water in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty would be met with a decisive response. “You threaten to stop our water. If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget,” he said while addressing an event on International Youth Day in Islamabad on Tuesday. Addressing a ceremony, the prime minister said: “I want to tell the enemy today that if you threaten to hold our water, then keep this in mind that you cannot snatch even one drop from Pakistan.” The prime minister warned that if India attempted such an act, “you will be again taught such a lesson that you
will be left holding your ears.” “Our air force shot down six of their jets, among which four of them were Rafales,” PM Shehbaz added. The prime minister’s warning comes a day after former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari termed the IWT’s suspension an attack on the Indus Valley civilisation and said the nation would not back down if New Delhi forced it into war. “If war is waged, then from the land of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai we will send a message to the Modi government that we do not retreat, we do not bow down, and if you dare think about launching an attack on the Indus River, then the people of every province of Pakistan will be ready to confront you,” he had said. India in April held the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance following the attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 — an incident New Delhi blamed on Islamabad without evidence.
ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the US’ decision to designate the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade to its Foreign Terrorist Organisation list, according to a Foreign Office (FO) press release. In a statement, the FO emphasized that Pakistan had proscribed the Majeed Brigade—BLA’s suicide squad—as a terrorist entity since July 18, 2024. The BLA itself was proscribed in 2006, according to the National Counter-Terrorism Authority’s list of proscribed organizations. “BLA/Majeed Brigade is involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the heinous Jaffer Express terrorist incident and the Khuzdar bus attack that resulted in the loss of precious lives,” the release said. A day earlier, the US State Department made the announcement, stating that the designations demonstrated US President Donald Trump’s commitment to counter-terrorism. At least 26 hostages lost their lives in
the Jaffar Express attack in March, for which the BLA claimed responsibility. In the Khuzdar bus attack, 10 people—including two students—lost their lives during a suicide attack on a school bus in May. The group was also behind the 2024 attack near the Karachi airport, which killed three people, including two Chinese nationals, as well as the Gwadar Port Authority Complex attack, which claimed the lives of eight soldiers. “Pakistan remains a steadfast bulwark against terrorism. Our sacrifices have secured critical counter-terrorism successes, not only for the country, but for regional stability and global security.” It added that the country remained unwavering in its resolve to protect its citizens and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “Pakistan remains committed to cooperating with the international community to overcome this common challenge.” In related development, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the US decision and sincerely thanked US President Donald Trump and his administration.
CJP Afridi questions LHC’s ‘final observations’ in Imran’s May 9 bail cases ISLAMABAD
Staff report
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Tuesday questioned some of the observations made by the Lahore High Court (LHC) while rejecting the bail of former premier Imran Khan in eight May 9 cases. A three-member SC bench headed by CJP Afridi and comprising Justices Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb resumed the hearing on the bail pleas on Tuesday. Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of Imran, while Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi was representing the state. Back in November 2024, the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court had turned down Imran Khan’s bail in the cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots that included the attack on the Lahore corps commander’s house, known as Jinnah House. On June 24, the Lahore High Court also rejected the incarcerated PTI founder’s plea challenging the ATC verdict. Subsequently, Imran moved the Supreme Court against the high court’s decision. During the hearing, CJP Afridi took note of some “findings” issued by the LHC in its detailed verdict of dismissing Imran’s bail pleas. “Can final observations be given in a case for bail?” the chief justice questioned rhetorically. Based on the same principle, he said, “For now, we will not touch upon whether the findings in this case are right or not. We will not go into the legal matters at the moment. “If we touch upon the legal findings, then the case for either party can be affected,” CJP Afridi explained. He directed the counsels of both respondents to assist the court with legal questions and complete their preparations by the next hearing. “The Supreme Court will not issue any such findings that may affect the case,” the top judge reiterated. At one point, Safdar requested the court to allow him to speak at the rostrum but CJP Afridi denied that plea. Subsequently, the bench issued notices to the Punjab government and adjourned the hearing till August 19. Earlier on June 29 last, a two-member SC bench had taken up Imran Khan’s bail pleas but adjourned the hearing without issuing notices, as Safdar could not appear. Imran’s appeal, filed through Safdar, claimed that the PTI founder has been accused of conspiring and abetting violence on May 9.
‘Unexpected resurgence’ in Islamabad-Washington ties rattles India: FT LONDON
Staff report
Pakistan’s recent diplomatic engagements with the administration of US President Donald Trump have led to a marked improvement in bilateral relations and triggered deep concern in India, the Financial Times (FT) has reported in a detailed piece. In a report by correspondents in Islamabad, New Delhi and Washington, the London-based newspaper described what it called an “unexpected resurgence” in rela-
tions between Islamabad and Washington. The newspaper said Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has twice been received in high-level settings in the US this summer, most recently in Florida, where he attended the retirement ceremony of Gen Michael Kurilla, head of US Central Command. According to the FT, Asim Munir also met President Trump in June for a two-hour private lunch, just a month after Pakistan and India experienced their bloodiest confrontation in decades. Michael Kugelman, a non-resident sen-
ior fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation, told the FT: “What’s happening in US-Pakistan relations is a surprise. I would describe the relationship now as one that’s enjoying an unexpected resurgence, even a renaissance. Pakistan has very successfully understood how to engage with such an unconventional president.” The FT attributed the change in tone to a diplomatic strategy by senior Pakistani officials, combining counterterrorism cooperation, outreach to individuals in Trump’s business network, and agreements involving
energy, mineral resources and cryptocurrency. These moves, it said, were accompanied by positive messaging towards the White House. A key development cited in the report was the March arrest and transfer to US custody of an ISIS-K suspect alleged to have organised the 2021 Kabul airport bombing. Trump publicly commended Pakistan for the arrest in his State of the Union address. The newspaper also detailed an April agreement between World Liberty Financial, a Trump-backed cryptocurrency initiative, and Pakistan’s crypto council. One of the venture’s
co-founders remarked during a visit to Pakistan on the scale of the country’s mineral resources. On the regional response, the FT said India reacted with “deep irritation” to the warming of ties, particularly after facing a US tariff increase to 50 per cent, while Pakistan’s rate was set at 19 per cent. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi disputed Trump’s assertion that the US had mediated a May ceasefire between the two countries, with New Delhi emphasising that the agreement had been reached through direct channels between their armed forces.