Pakistan and the United Kingdom have voiced shared concern over the continuing threat from terrorist groups operating in and from Afghanistan, as the two countries held their annual counter-terrorism dialogue in Islamabad on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
The meeting brought together officials from both sides to review how Pakistan and the UK are working together against terrorism, both directly and through international forums. According to a statement from Pakistan's Foreign Office, the two delegations discussed the changing security situation in the region and around the world, including the threat from terrorist organisations and cross-border networks.
At the centre of the talks was the danger posed by groups based in Afghanistan. Both sides specifically named the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying it continues to operate in and from Afghan territory. They stressed that a stable and secure Afghanistan is essential for lasting peace and prosperity across the region, and that the cross-border terrorist threat needs sustained international attention and coordinated action.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Dr Fareha Bugti, Director General for Counter-Terrorism at the Foreign Office. The British side was headed by Thomas Barry, Director for National and Economic Security at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Beyond the Afghan-based threat, the talks covered the wider fight against terrorism. The two sides exchanged views on emerging trends, including how terrorist groups misuse social media, spread misinformation and disinformation, and exploit new technologies. They also discussed sharing best practices and finding new areas of partnership to meet evolving threats.
The UK delegation acknowledged Pakistan's efforts for regional stability and expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, reaffirming that Britain stands with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
Both countries renewed their commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation, strengthen institutional links and develop coordinated responses to new and evolving security threats. They also agreed that the next round of the Pakistan-UK Counter-Terrorism Dialogue will be held in London in 2027, on dates to be settled by mutual agreement.
The dialogue comes at a sensitive time for Pakistan's security debate. Pakistan has repeatedly said that terrorist attacks inside the country are being planned from Afghan soil, an issue that has also shaped its recent tensions with Kabul and its calls for action against cross-border militant sanctuaries. Wednesday's joint statement puts that concern on record with a major Western partner, and sets up London as the next venue for the conversation in 2027.
Sources: Dawn, The Express Tribune, Business Recorder, The Nation, Dunya News, Pakistan Today, UrduPoint (APP).
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ROMAN URDU VERSION:
Pakistan aur United Kingdom ne Islamabad mein honay wale salana counter-terrorism dialogue mein Afghanistan se kaam karne wale dehshat gard grohon par mushtarika tashweesh ka izhar kiya hai. Dono mulkon ne khaas tor par banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ka naam liya aur kaha ke aik mustahkam aur mehfooz Afghanistan ilaqai aman ke liye zaroori hai. Pakistani wafd ki qayadat Foreign Office ki Director General (Counter-Terrorism) Dr Fareha Bugti ne ki, jabke British wafd ki qayadat FCDO ke Thomas Barry ne ki. Dono mulkon ne dehshat gardi ke khilaf taawun mazeed gehra karne par ittefaq kiya, aur agla dialogue 2027 mein London mein hoga.
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