US-Pakistan Counterterrorism dialogue held in Islamabad after Washington labels BLA Terror Group

US, Pakistan Hold Counterterrorism Talks In Islamabad

The United States and Pakistan held the latest round of the US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad, according to a statement from the US State Department.

This came a day after Washington formally designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its associated unit, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs).

The United States on Monday said it was designating the separatist group the BLA as a foreign terrorist organization.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Pakistan’s Special Secretary for the United Nations, Nabeel Munir, and Gregory D. LoGerfo, the Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State. The focus of the meeting was to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and enhancing regional security.

The delegations from the countries reviewed existing threats and explored ways to develop coordinated and effective counterterrorism strategies.

The United States also acknowledged and commended Pakistan’s continued efforts to counter terrorist networks. Additionally, they expressed condolences for the victims of recent attacks in Pakistan, including the deadly Jaffar Express train bombing and the tragic assault on a school bus in Khuzdar, which resulted in numerous civilian and security force casualties.

Focus was on groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), all of which continue to pose serious threats to Pakistan’s internal stability and wider regional peace.