ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has emphasised that terrorism is a global issue requiring collective international efforts to eliminate the menace.
Speaking during a meeting with Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker in Islamabad on Thursday, the Interior Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism through decisive actions and a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy.
The Minister said that the government is taking strong action against terrorists and a comprehensive policy is being formulated to counter terrorism.
He expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism. He went on to say that Pakistan would extend full cooperation in the repatriation of illegal Pakistani immigrants residing in the United States.
Mohsin Naqvi also added that the Pakistan-US Caucus meeting is scheduled to take place in New York next month.
During the meeting, Pakistan-US ties, matters of common interest, and bilateral cooperation were discussed in detail.
US Acting Ambassador Natalie Baker denounced the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express and other incidents. She offered condolences to the families of the martyrs who lost their lives in these attacks.
Both sides also agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in the field of counterterrorism efforts. It was agreed to hold a Counter-Terrorism Dialogue in June this year.
Natalie Baker also commended the ongoing development projects in Islamabad and lauded the various initiatives in different sectors of Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan at a weekly news briefing welcomed the United States’ recognition of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as a serious threat to global peace and security.
He said there is no hiatus in Pakistan-US cooperation on counterterrorism, and the collaboration will continue in the future.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi is currently visiting the US, where he has met with the Chairman of the US Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on South Asia and Central Asia, and the Co-chair of the Pakistan Caucus.
It is worth mentioning that US President Donald Trump, in an address to the US Congress, thanked the Pakistani government for apprehending the “top terrorist” involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing.
Pakistan and the United States have a long history of collaboration in counterterrorism efforts, especially during the war on terror that followed the September 11 attacks.
