The United States held talks with Pakistan in Islamabad focused on combating terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations” on August 12. America applauded Pakistan’s continued successes in tackling threats by terrorists and offered condolences for the loss of lives in recent terrorist attacks, including the Jaffar Express incident and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar. Following this, a joint statement was released.
‘US applauds Pakistan’s successes against terror’
The counter-terrorism meeting was held between Nabeel Munir, Special Secretary for the United Nations, and Gregory D LoGerfo, who is the US Department of State Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism.
“The United States of America applauded Pakistan’s continued successes in containing terrorist entities that pose a threat to the peace and security of the region and the world,” the joint statement read, before adding, “The United States of America expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and members of law enforcement agencies in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including the barbaric Jaffar Express terrorist attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar.”
It further said that both sides are committed to strengthening frameworks, along with developing capabilities, to counter terrorism. “Both sides emphasised that sustained and structured engagement remains vital to countering terrorism and promoting peace and stability,” the joint statement ended on this note.
US designates BLA, aka the Majeed Brigade, as a terror group
The statement comes a day after the States officially listed the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as a terrorist organisation. The BLA has been on the US terror list since 2019 due to a series of deadly attacks; the Majeed Brigade is now added to that designation.
In 2024, BLA carried out suicide bombings near the Karachi Airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. In 2025, it hijacked the Jaffar Express, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 31 civilians and security personnel.
“Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” read a statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
‘Our relationship with both India and Pakistan remains unchanged’
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the country’s relationship with both India and Pakistan remains unchanged.
She added, “We had an experience with Pakistan and India, when there was a conflict, that could have developed into something quite horrible… It’s a very proud moment that Secretary Rubio, Vice President Vance and the top leaders in this nation were involved in stopping that potential catastrophe. Our relationship with both nations remains unchanged – good….”
She went on to say, “A US-Pakistan counter-terrorism dialogue was established in Islamabad… For the region and for the world, the US working with both those nations is good news and will promote a future that’s beneficial.”
Pakistan’s anti-India rhetoric
Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir visited Washington, where he met with the top political and military leaders. This comes after US President Donald Trump invited Munir for lunch at the White House in June this year.
During his recent visit, he, as per a report by ThePrint, made a nuclear threat: “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.”
He also reacted to India’s abeyance to the Indus Waters Treaty that could endanger 250 million people in Pakistan and warned of serious consequences. “We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, phir 10 missile sey faarigh kar dengey [we will destroy it with 10 missiles],” Munir was quoted by the outlet as saying at the dinner.
The report further quoted the Pak Army Chief: “The Indus river is not the Indians’ family property. Humein missilon ki kami nahin hai [we have no shortage of missiles].”
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also furthered the Pak Army Chief’s nuclear sabre-rattling, saying that if India further threatens its water resources, it could lead to war. He claimed that “India will lose it” given the fact that “every Pakistani” would take up “arms”. He also said that Pakistan would “reclaim all six rivers from India” in such a scenario.