ISLAMABAD: In a first, the United States and Pakistan conducted a two-week counterterrorism exercise at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi, Punjab province, to address the “perpetual terrorism threat” faced by both nations, the military’s media wing announced on Wednesday.
Last year, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir met with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Chief General Michael Erik Kurilla in Washington where both military leaders emphasized the need to increase joint military training between the two countries.
The US and Pakistan have shared strong defense and security relations in the past, particularly during the Cold War after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. However, more recently, US officials criticized Pakistan for not sufficiently supporting their military efforts against the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks.
“The Infantry Rifle Company Exercise 2024 between Pakistan and the US has been conducted for the first time in the counter-terrorism domain,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. “The two-week-long exercise commenced on June 29, 2024, at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pabbi.”
The statement noted that Pakistani and US troops participated in the exercise with “efficiency and zeal,” displaying the highest standards of professional excellence.
The exercise focused on marksmanship skills, urban warfare tactics and refining individual and collective expertise. The training aimed to improve drills and procedures while sharing vital counterterrorism experience.
The US State Department has reiterated its commitment to expanding security cooperation with Pakistan, with counterterrorism as top priority.
Matthew Miller, the department’s spokesperson, stated this week the two countries have a “shared interest” in combating regional security threats when asked if the US would support Pakistan if it conducts cross-border attacks against militant targets in Afghanistan.
US and Pakistan conduct first joint counterterrorism exercise to address ‘perpetual terrorism threat’
https://arab.news/8kgqh
US and Pakistan conduct first joint counterterrorism exercise to address ‘perpetual terrorism threat’
- The exercise was conducted at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Pakistan’s Punjab province
- The US said this week the two countries have ‘shared interest’ in countering regional security threats
Pakistan, Türkiye military chiefs discuss defense cooperation amid Middle East tensions
- Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to deepening military-to-military ties with Türkiye
- Turkish officials said this month they were in talks to join the Pakistan-Saudi defense alliance formed last year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top military commander, Field Marshal Asim Munir, met the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, on Friday to discuss deepening defense cooperation, as regional security concerns intensify amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of widening geopolitical uncertainty following the Gaza war, which has heightened the risk of broader regional escalation involving Iran and the United States, and as Ankara explores closer defense coordination with partners beyond NATO.
Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Türkiye was in talks to join a defense alliance established between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia last September, signaling a possible expansion of security cooperation among key regional players.
The Turkish general called on Pakistan’s chief of defense forces at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“During the meeting, besides dilating upon matters of mutual interest, prevailing regional and global security landscape, and prospects for strengthening bilateral defense and military cooperation were also discussed,” the ISPR said in a statement.
It added that both sides “expressed satisfaction on current trajectory of Pakistan-Türkiye relations while underscoring the requirement of maintaining close coordination and enhancing defense collaboration.”
Munir welcomed the support of the Turkish Armed Forces and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening military-to-military ties, according to the statement.
It said that Bayraktaroglu praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and expressed Türkiye’s intent to deepen defense cooperation through training, joint exercises and capacity-building initiatives.
Pakistan and Türkiye maintain close diplomatic, economic and defense relations, with military cooperation forming a major pillar of their partnership.
Last month, a high-level delegation of Turkish aerospace and defense manufacturers visited Pakistan to explore joint ventures, co-production and technology-sharing opportunities. In August 2025, the navies of both countries conducted their first bilateral amphibious exercise to strengthen maritime coordination.
Turkish defense firms have played a key role in modernizing Pakistan’s Agosta 90B-class submarines and have supplied Islamabad with advanced military hardware, including drones.
The two countries also regularly conduct joint military drills. Their most recent exercise, Ataturk-XIII in February 2025, brought together special forces units for combat training aimed at improving their ability to operate effectively together in the field.
