By President Donald J. Trump
US President Donald Trump expressed his appreciation to Pakistan for its assistance in the capture of a significant terrorist linked to the 2021 Kabul airport bombing, a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
During a joint session of Congress, Trump announced, “Three and a half years ago, a [Daesh] terrorist took the lives of 13 American service members and many others in the Abbey Gate bombing. This evening, I am pleased to inform you that we have successfully apprehended the primary terrorist responsible for that heinous act. He is currently en route to face the swift hand of American justice.”
Following the announcement of the arrest, Trump took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Pakistani government for its role in the operation.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Pakistani government for their assistance in capturing this individual,” Trump stated. “This marks a significant day for the 13 families I have come to know well, whose loved ones were tragically taken from them on that day.”
The Abbey Gate bombing took place in August 2021 amid the tumultuous withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, a situation that former President Trump has once again condemned as a failure of the Biden administration. Trump stated, “It was not merely the act of withdrawing, but the manner in which it was executed,” describing it as “perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country.”
In a notable shift in policy, the Trump administration has recently authorized $397 million for the maintenance of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet, thereby reversing a previous freeze on foreign aid. These funds are designated exclusively for counter-terrorism efforts, with a program monitored by the US to ensure they are not utilized against India, as reported by Reuters.
Despite an executive order that halted overseas funding, the US has provided around $5.3 billion in security-related exemptions, with Pakistan’s allocation being one of 243 exceptions granted.
