WASHINGTON, D.C.: Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, sent a message on Thursday to the people of Pakistan wishing them a happy Independence Day. Rubio’s statement made it clear that the US wants to improve its ties with Pakistan. He said that Washington “deeply appreciates Pakistan’s engagement on counterterrorism and trade.”
The statement also talked about how the connection between the two countries will grow in the future. Rubio said, “We look forward to exploring new areas of economic cooperation, such as critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and building strong business partnerships that will lead to a bright future for both Americans and Pakistanis.” The US-Pakistan relationship has always been based on security concerns, but this new focus on economic collaboration, especially in resource-rich areas, shows that things are changing.
BLA Named a Terrorist Group In the middle of fresh cooperation
Rubio’s message comes after a number of recent events that suggest that Washington and Islamabad are getting along better. The US State Department officially named the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its other name, the Majeed Brigade, as foreign terrorist groups just days before Pakistan’s Independence Day. Pakistan has wanted this for a long time, and it is considered as a big step in aligning the two countries’ security interests. The US has promised to invest in Pakistan’s energy and mineral mining industries, especially in Balochistan, which is known to be a stronghold for the BLA. The BLA has been responsible for several attacks, and the US has labeled it a terrorist group.
The BLA was also recently named a terrorist group by the Pakistani government. This happened about the same time that Asim Munir, the head of the Pakistani Army, visited the United States. These high-level discussions and a recent counterterrorism talk in Islamabad show that the two countries are working together again on security. During the talks, both sides reiterated their commitment to fighting militancy, and the US praised Pakistan’s efforts to fight terrorism.
The increasing focus on commerce and counterterrorism, as well as the designation of the BLA, point to a strategic re-evaluation of the US-Pakistan relationship by the present administration. They are putting more emphasis on economic relationships and shared security interests.