Afghanistan Peace Campaign
A Pakistani newspaper has argued that the United States continues to have influence over developments in Afghanistan despite its military withdrawal, saying Washington’s diplomatic, financial and institutional tools could still affect regional security issues.
In an opinion article, The Nation said stronger counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan and the United States could help address security concerns involving groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K).
The newspaper described the fourth round of U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism talks as a positive step, arguing that militant groups in the region should be addressed as a broader international security challenge rather than only a domestic concern.
The article said Pakistan has repeatedly argued that groups such as the TTP and ISIS-K pose threats beyond its borders and require international cooperation. It added that Washington continues to play a role in global security efforts related to Afghanistan through diplomatic engagement, sanctions and intelligence cooperation.
The Nation suggested that Islamabad could use renewed engagement with Washington to seek stronger international action against groups it considers responsible for attacks in Pakistan.
The newspaper also argued that closer cooperation with the United States does not require Pakistan to reduce its strategic relationship with China, saying Islamabad could maintain ties with both countries while pursuing regional security objectives.
The article concluded that Pakistan and the United States share common interests in counterterrorism efforts and that renewed cooperation could lead to practical measures against militant networks.
The claims and assessments in this report reflect The Nation’s analysis and do not necessarily represent the official positions of Pakistan, the United States, the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, or other parties mentioned.