The United States and Pakistan have committed to strengthening their counter-terrorism partnership following the arrest of ISIS commander Mohammad Sharifullah, who masterminded the Kabul airport bombing. In a call with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz expressed President Donald Trump’s appreciation for Pakistan’s continuous efforts in fighting terrorism.

The two leaders discussed enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation in counter-terrorism. Dar congratulated Waltz on his new role and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the US partnership. This conversation comes after Pakistan’s recent extradition of an individual responsible for the deaths of 13 US service members during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, further reinforcing the nations’ collaborative efforts in counter-terrorism.

Additionally, they expressed interest in boosting cooperation in sectors like information technology, energy, and minerals. The two sides also stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue on issues such as trade, climate change, health, and investment, aiming to outline a comprehensive roadmap for future collaboration.