ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from the Islamic Military CounterTerrorism Coalition (IMCTC) has embarked on a landmark week-long visit toPakistan, commencing on February 2, 2026. This engagement, described ashistoric by official sources, seeks to bolster collaborative measuresagainst terrorism through professional military cooperation andcapacity-building initiatives among member states of the 43-nation alliance.
The IMCTC, established in December 2015 on the initiative of Saudi Arabia,unites Muslim-majority countries to coordinate efforts in combatingtransnational terrorist threats. Pakistan has been an original and activeparticipant since inception, contributing significantly to the coalition’smilitary domain while emphasizing that the alliance targets terrorismwithout sectarian bias.
The visiting delegation, comprising representatives from various membernations and led by the Saudi Secretary-General Major General Mohammed binSaeed Al-Moghedi, will focus on inaugurating a dedicated training program.This initiative addresses counter-terrorism operations, ideologyrehabilitation, and reintegration strategies for individuals affected byextremism, aligning with IMCTC’s four core domains: ideology,communications, counter-terrorist financing, and military coordination.
Pakistan’s hosting of this event highlights its strategic importance withinthe coalition. With extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations,particularly against groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, the country hasreduced terrorist incidents substantially over the past decade throughmilitary campaigns such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad.
The visit includes discussions on reviewing ongoing collaborations andexploring new avenues for deeper integration. Participants from memberstates will engage in workshops and sessions aimed at sharing bestpractices in deradicalization and preventive measures against violentextremism.
Experts note that such interactions strengthen societal resilience andconsolidate regional security. The program, running from February 2 to 6,2026, targets specialists in rehabilitation, reflecting IMCTC’s commitmentto holistic approaches beyond kinetic operations.
Pakistan’s involvement dates back to the coalition’s formative years, withformer army chief General Raheel Sharif serving as its firstcommander-in-chief from 2017. This leadership role underscored Islamabad’scredibility in counter-terrorism, even as the country navigated complexregional dynamics with neighbors.
The current visit builds on prior exchanges, including Pakistanidelegations to IMCTC headquarters in Riyadh and joint initiatives intraining and intelligence sharing. It also coincides with broader effortsto foster unity among Islamic nations amid evolving global threats.
State media emphasized that the delegation’s presence symbolizes a robustIslamic world’s united front against terrorism. Inaugurated potentiallyunder the patronage of Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Defence KhawajaMuhammad Asif, the program aims to equip practitioners with modern toolsfor countering ideological roots of extremism.
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Analysts view this as a step toward enhanced interoperability among armedforces of member states. With terrorism remaining a persistent challengeacross regions, from the Middle East to South Asia, coordinated trainingfosters mutual trust and operational effectiveness.
The IMCTC’s decade-long journey, marked by its tenth anniversary inDecember 2025, has seen implementation of integrated models benefitingthousands through capacity-building. Pakistan’s terrain and frontlineexperience position it as a key contributor to these efforts.
This historic visit reinforces Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism insecurity matters. By hosting the delegation, Islamabad demonstratesleadership in promoting peace and stability within the Muslim ummah.
As the program unfolds, outcomes are expected to include refined strategiesfor countering emerging threats like cyber-terrorism and financingnetworks. Such collaborations are vital in an era where terrorist groupsexploit transnational spaces.
The engagement concludes on February 8, 2026, with anticipated agreementson future joint exercises and information exchange. This underscores theenduring partnership between Pakistan and the broader Islamic militaryframework.
Source:https://www.radio.gov.pk/02-02-2026/imctc-delegation-undertaking-week-long-visit-to-pakistan-from-today
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