In a move that raises questions about Pakistan’s reliance on external powers, the United States and Pakistan have agreed to bolster counter-terrorism cooperation in a recent high-level meeting. The US has pledged full support to Pakistan in its fight against terror groups, despite Islamabad’s long-standing failures to rein in terrorism on its soil.
The talks, held between US and Pakistani officials, laid out a series of commitments that appear to signal a deepening of ties, particularly in intelligence-sharing, military assistance, and cross-border operations -- areas where Pakistan has repeatedly shown vulnerability.
Diplomatic sources in Islamabad told CNN-News18 that the United States “pledged to provide vital support to Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, particularly from groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).”
The commitment comes as Pakistan continues to face escalating threats from militant groups along its borders, particularly in the volatile regions of the Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran frontiers -- a problem of Islamabad’s own making.
The United States will also share “critical intelligence with Pakistan to help tackle cross-border terrorism,” including satellite surveillance to monitor human infiltration along Pakistan’s borders. While framed as assistance, the move underscores Islamabad’s persistent inability to secure its frontiers and track insurgent movements without US involvement.
In addition to intelligence support, America has promised “specialised funds and assistance to Pakistan’s military to conduct large-scale operations against terrorist groups,” a step that critics say reinforces Pakistan’s dependency on foreign aid for basic national security. Sources told CNN-News18 that this is part of a broader effort to stabilise the region, which has been plagued by insurgent groups operating from both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
A particularly notable development from the meeting was the CIA’s expressed interest in resuming intelligence operations within Pakistan, following years of tension over US operatives in the country. Pakistan is expected to respond to this request soon, highlighting the nation’s continued subordination to American strategic interests.
Another point of concern was the renewal of the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), which the Trump administration had suspended in 2018. The CSF reimburses Pakistan for its counterterrorism efforts, a program that critics argue has long incentivised superficial action rather than meaningful security reform.
The talks also addressed regional security and economic stability, especially regarding Afghanistan. The United States proposed the creation of a “peaceful economic corridor through Pakistan to Kabul,” aimed at facilitating trade and enhancing stability in the war-torn country. While Islamabad has agreed to facilitate this effort, analysts note that Pakistan’s role remains opportunistic, driven more by self-interest than genuine commitment to regional peace.
Additionally, the United States has requested Pakistan’s help in recovering military equipment left behind by American forces during their 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan -- a reminder of Pakistan’s strategic position as a gatekeeper for US interests in South Asia.
The discussions concluded with a commitment to continue dialogue, with the next round of counterterrorism talks scheduled in Washington next year. Observers, however, question whether these meetings will lead to any real change, given Pakistan’s history of duplicity and Washington’s tendency to prop up regimes that fail to address terrorism at home.
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