Sides reaffirm counterterrorism cooperation during bilateral dialogue in Islamabad amid rising regional militant activity.
Pakistan and the European Union have voiced shared concern over security risks stemming from the situation in Afghanistan, while pledging to deepen cooperation against terrorism during their annual bilateral counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad.
The 10th round of the Pakistan-EU Counterterrorism Dialogue took place on Thursday, with Pakistan’s delegation led by Dr Fareha Bugti, Director General for Counterterrorism, and the EU side headed by Anna Strzaska, Special Envoy for Counterterrorism at the European External Action Service.
Pakistan and EU Pledge Stronger Counterterrorism Cooperation:
In joint statements, both sides “expressed concern at the security implications of the situation in Afghanistan” and acknowledged each other’s contributions to the global fight against terrorism. They reviewed the evolving regional and international threat landscape, unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms, and reaffirmed their commitment to combating it.
The European Union specifically condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, expressed solidarity with affected civilians, and recognised the value of Islamabad’s counterterrorism efforts. The two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to promote a more coherent international approach.
Discussions covered emerging challenges such as the exploitation of cyberspace, information and energy resources by militant groups, as well as efforts to prevent violent extremism, disrupt terrorist financing and counter radicalisation, particularly through online platforms. Both sides exchanged best practices and identified priority areas for future collaboration, with the next dialogue scheduled for Brussels next year.
Pakistan-EU Raise Concerns Over Militants in Afghanistan:
The Afghanistan-related concerns build on language from the eighth Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue held in June, when the sides expressed “serious concern over the presence of terrorist entities in Afghanistan” and called on the Afghan de facto authorities to take effective and verifiable action so that Afghan territory is not used to threaten or attack other countries.
Pakistan has long attributed a surge in cross-border militant attacks to groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliated outfits that it says operate from Afghan soil-claims denied by the Taliban authorities in Kabul. The EU’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, during a recent visit to Kabul, similarly raised concerns about the continued presence and cross-border activities of terrorist groups with regional and global reach.
The dialogue comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and ongoing efforts by both sides to address shared security challenges through institutionalised engagement.