PM Shahbaz thanks US President Trump for recognising Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts

Tariq Butt, Correspondent / Reuters

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for appreciating Pakistan’s support and contributions to counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan.

In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, the premier said Pakistan would continue to partner closely with the United States in securing regional peace and stability.

 His remarks came after the US president thanked the Pakistani government for apprehending the "top terrorist" involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing during withdrawal of Americans from the war-torn country.

Identifying the terrorist as Sharifullah, a top-tier operational commander of Daesh, the prime minister said that the militant was an Afghan national and was apprehended in a successful operation conducted in the Pakistan-Afghan border region.

As is well-known, Shahbaz Sharif said, Pakistan has always played a critical role in counter-terrorism efforts aimed at denying safe havens to terrorists and militant groups the space to operate against any other country. "We remain steadfast in our resolve and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations," he added.

In this effort, he said, Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices, including the lives of over 80,000 of our brave soldiers and citizens. "The resolve of our leadership and our people remains unflinching, to eradicate the menace of terrorism from our country. We will continue to partner closely with the United States in securing regional peace and stability."

President Trump, during his speech to a joint session of Congress, said: "Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice."

After a brief pause and a round of applause, he thanked the government of Pakistan for helping apprehend the "monster" and added that it was "a very huge day for the affected families.

"This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, whom I actually got to know very well, whose children were murdered. What a horrible day," Trump said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said later Sharifullah was in US custody, in a post on X alongside a picture of agents standing in front of the plane that he was meant to arrive on.

Pakistan had launched an operation along its Afghan border to capture Sharifullah, whom Shahbaz described as an Afghan national and top commander for militant group Daesh-Khorasan.

Afghanistan's Taliban government did not respond to a request for comment.

A Pakistani security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Sharifullah's arrest was part of wide-ranging joint counterterrorism efforts.

"Excellent cooperation has been established between Pakistan and President Trump's new government," the official added.

In a statement, the US Justice Department said it had caught Sharifullah with the help of the CIA and FBI agencies, without naming Pakistan.

Islamabad is making use of concerns about regional security and counterterrorism "to engage with Trump, who otherwise has no interest in Pakistan", said defence analyst Ayesha Siddiqa.

"For now (the arrest) is just to signal to the United States that Pakistan is there and can be relied upon as a partner," she added.

The 2021 bombing at Kabul airport killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US troops as they sought to help both Americans and Afghans flee in the chaotic aftermath of the Taliban takeover.

The US Justice Department has charged Sharifullah with "providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources" to the group.