US President Thanks Pakistan for Assistance in Counterterrorism Efforts
In his first address to a joint session of Congress since returning to office, US President Donald Trump highlighted Pakistan’s cooperation in a significant counterterrorism operation. Trump announced that Muhammad Sharifullah, the ISIS-Khorasan commander responsible for the 2021 Kabul airport suicide bombing, has been captured by Pakistan’s intelligence services.
Pakistan’s Intelligence Aids in High-Profile Arrest
Trump expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s Intelligence Service for successfully apprehending Sharifullah and handing him over to US authorities. “We are deeply thankful to the government of Pakistan for helping in the capture of this terrorist,” Trump stated, emphasizing that the militant leader will now face swift American justice.
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A Rare Moment of US-Pakistan Cooperation
This development marks a rare instance of collaboration between Washington and Islamabad in the ongoing fight against terrorism. Trump also used the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, calling it a disastrous and incompetent move.
With this high-profile arrest, US-Pakistan relations may see renewed strategic engagement in counterterrorism efforts.
