US President Donald Trump in his first address to Congress mentioned Pakistan’s cooperation in arresting Mohammad Shareefullah, a key terrorist involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took note of the mention and thanked Trump for “acknowledging and appreciating” Pakistan’s role in Shareefullah’s arrest.
“We thank US President Donald Trump for acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan’s role and support in counter terrorism efforts across the region, in the context of Pakistan Security Forces’ recent apprehension of ISKP’s top tier operational commander Shareefullah, who is an Afghanistan national,” Sharif said.
The attack on the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) on August 26, 2021, took place when American and other Coalition military forces were conducting an evacuation operation at the airport as part of a larger operation to conclude US combat operations in Afghanistan.
Sharif added the “wanted terrorist was apprehended in a successful operation conducted in the Pakistan-Afghan border region”.
“As is well-known, Pakistan has always played a critical role in counter-terrorism efforts aimed at denying safe havens to terrorists and militant groups or the space to operate against any other country,” Sharif said.
The prime minister said Pakistan “will continue to partner closely with the US in securing regional peace and stability”.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve and unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations. In this effort, Pakistan has rendered great sacrifices, including the lives of over 80,000 of our brave soldiers and citizens,” he said.
“The resolve of our leadership and our people remains unflinching in eradicating the menace of terrorism from our country. We will continue to partner closely with the US in securing regional peace and stability.”
Trump thanking Pakistan: Policy shift?
Donald Trump in his address announced that the US apprehended the top terrorist ( Mohammad Shareefullah) who was responsible for the Kabul airport attack. “I want to thank, especially, the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster,” Trump said. “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.
The special mention of Pakistan came after the administration recently authorised $397 million for Pakistan for its F-16 fighter jet fleet — signalling a possible shift in policy. In 2018, during his previous term, Trump halted military assistance to Pakistan citing their inadequate counter-terrorism efforts.