MONITORING (SW) – Amid rising dissatisfaction and security disputes between Kabul and Islamabad, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced an agreement with the United States to jointly combat terrorism, particularly against ISIS and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
This agreement was reached following discussions between delegations from both countries.
A statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the agreement reads: ” 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.”
Although the statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not mentioned Afghanistan, Pakistan consistently claims that the TTP is present in Afghanistan, and is supported by the Islamic Emirate.
The Islamic Emirate, however, denies these claims and recently, in response to Pakistan’s allegations, the Ministry of Defense emphasized that Pakistan has allowed ISIS to use its territory against Afghanistan.
ISIS and TTP are the two groups that Pakistan and the United States have agreed to fight against them.
However, experts in Afghanistan believe that combating these groups requires cooperation and coordination with the de-facto government in Afghanistan.
An expert on security affairs, Sadeq Shinwari, says, “ISIS and TTP have become a regional threat. A unilateral agreement between the U.S. and Pakistan is not sufficient to control these groups.”
Aziz Stanekzai, another analyst, also share his views on the matter: “It would be beneficial if the US and Pakistan shared their intelligence resources with Afghanistan to curb the destructive groups that have a presence in Afghanistan and operate from bases in Pakistan.”
