PROVINCE REPORT
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Samuel J. Cooper, has described Pakistan as a reliable and critical partner in regional counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in operations against ISIS-Khorasan.
During his testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on the posture of U.S. Central Command, Adm. Cooper stated that extremist networks operating from and around Afghanistan remain the principal source of regional terrorist instability.
He acknowledged that “external operations” threats originating from Afghanistan continue to pose dangers to both the region and the United States, warning that any reduction in counter-terrorism pressure could allow ISIS and affiliated groups to regroup.
Adm. Cooper noted that Pakistan-U.S. military cooperation has produced tangible results against high-value terrorist targets linked to attacks involving American casualties.
The CENTCOM commander’s remarks were seen as reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding position regarding the presence of terrorist safe havens connected to Afghanistan and their impact on regional peace and security.
He also highlighted increasing concerns among Central Asian states over Afghanistan-based militant threats, reflecting broader regional anxiety regarding cross-border extremism.
Observers say the statement reinforces Pakistan’s frontline role in the global fight against terrorism and counters narratives aimed at portraying Pakistan as part of the regional security problem.
According to security analysts, the remarks underline Pakistan’s continuing strategic importance in counter-terrorism coordination, operational cooperation, and regional stability efforts.
