Islamabad:
President Donald Trump congratulated Pakistan on Tuesday evening for helping the United States capturing the alleged brain of the August 2021 Kabul airport attack, which killed 13 American soldiers, in addition to 170 others.
“Tonight, I am happy to announce that we have just abandoned the best terrorist responsible for this atrocity, and he is on his way here to face the rapid sword of American justice,” he told Congress.
“And I would like to thank in particular the government of Pakistan for helping to stop this monster,” added Trump to the surprise of many of those who thought that Pakistan is no longer relevant to Washington.
A few hours before President Trump’s speech, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar received a call from US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz.
“The NSA has transmitted the appreciation of President Trump and the thanks for the efforts of the Pakistan government to counter terrorism,” read a statement published on Wednesday by Foreign Office.
He said the Deputy Prime Minister / Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulated the NSA for his hypothesis and reiterated that Pakistan was impatiently expected to rely on his long-standing and long-standing relations with the United States under President Trump and his administration.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue its cooperation with the United States in the field of counter-terrorism. He also appreciated President Trump’s announcement to withdraw American military equipment left in Afghanistan.
The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to improve cooperation in the computer, energy and mineral sectors. They also agreed with the need to have continued trade, investment, climate change and health dialogues as part of a wide program in the coming days.
It was the first high-level contact between Pakistan and the United States since President Trump took office.
But Pakistan and United States intelligence leaders have been in contact with each other in recent weeks.
Trump had asked the Director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, to bring to justice the authors and the brain of the Abbey Gate terrorist attack.
One day after his confirmation from the Senate, the new CIA chief picked up the secure line and spoke to the chief of the head of ISI Asim Malik. The CIA director asked for help from Pakistan to capture Muhammad Shareefullah also known as Jaffer. The two spy leaders would also have met and discussed progress from the Munich security conference last month.
Axios, an American website, said that the CIA has been watching Sharifullah for some time, but in recent days, it had received specific information on its location.
The CIA provided information to the Pakistani intelligence agency, which sent an elite unit which captured it near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the officials said.
When the Pakistani espionage agency stopped the alleged brain of the attack at Kabul Airport August 2021 a few days ago, it was to make a major decision – whether to announce the capture or let the United States do the need.
After internal consultations, the Pakistani authorities decided to inform the Trump administration of the high value objective and to leave Washington to announce the capture of Muhammad Shareeflah, one of the best Daesh commanders.
Pakistan thought that the United States government could announce the big news by the White House spokesman. However, he did not know that President Donald Trump would announce in his first speech at the American Congress.
More importantly, he would publicly recognize the role of Pakistan by helping the United States to find one of the most sought after terrorists in the Americas.
The bet of Pakistan to leave the American administration means that the announcement has borne fruit. During his first weeks in the White House, Trump castigated both friends and enemies. But in his speech at the American Congress, Trump praised Pakistan, which was a surprise for many.
A senior official told The Express PK Press Club on Wednesday that it was President Trump who had decided to mention Pakistan himself because he thought it was a big catch and Pakistan “deserves credit”.
Pakistan was nervous about what President Trump would bring to the table for the country during his second term. His public appreciation of Pakistan has established nerves in Islamabad.
