UK reaffirms support for Pakistan in fight against terrorism as Islamabad, London deepen security cooperation

Liaquat Ali

Islamabad: The United Kingdom on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in combating terrorism, expressing solidarity with the country over the loss of innocent lives in terrorist attacks, as the two sides held their annual Counterterrorism Dialogue in Islamabad to strengthen cooperation against evolving security threats.

The Pakistan-UK Counterterrorism Dialogue brought together senior officials from both countries to review the regional and global security environment, assess emerging terrorist threats and explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation.

The Pakistani delegation was led by Dr. Fareha Bugti, Director General (Counterterrorism), while the British side was headed by Thomas Barry, Director for National and Economic Security at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

During the dialogue, the British delegation expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives in terrorist attacks in Pakistan and reiterated that the United Kingdom stood with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.

The two sides held detailed and constructive discussions on the changing security landscape, with particular attention to threats posed by terrorist organisations and transnational networks. They also expressed concern over the continuing threat from militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating in and from Afghanistan.

Both delegations underscored the need for a stable and secure Afghanistan, describing it as essential to achieving lasting peace, security and prosperity across the region.

The discussions reflected a shared recognition that terrorism has become an increasingly complex challenge, extending beyond national borders and requiring sustained international coordination, intelligence cooperation and effective institutional partnerships.

Pakistan and the UK also reviewed their ongoing cooperation through bilateral and multilateral counterterrorism frameworks and reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

A significant part of the dialogue focused on emerging dimensions of the terrorist threat, including the misuse of social media platforms, misinformation and disinformation campaigns, and the exploitation of new and emerging technologies. The two sides discussed exchanging best practices and identifying practical areas for closer cooperation to address these evolving challenges.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional linkages between the relevant authorities of both countries, improving coordination and maintaining regular communication to support their shared security objectives.

The British delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to regional stability and security, while the two sides agreed to sustain their engagement and further strengthen cooperation against terrorism.

The annual dialogue provided an important platform for Pakistan and the UK to coordinate their approaches to counterterrorism, exchange assessments of emerging threats and reinforce their longstanding security partnership.

It was agreed that the next round of the Pakistan-UK Counterterrorism Dialogue would take place in London in 2027, on dates to be decided mutually.

The meeting underscored the UK’s continued engagement with Pakistan on counterterrorism at a time when regional security challenges, particularly those linked to militant activity in Afghanistan, remain a major concern for Islamabad and its international partners.