Trump Thanks Pakistan for Arresting Kabul Bomber After Approving $400 Million for F-16s

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again turned the spotlight on Pakistan, this time in a surprisingly positive tone. On Wednesday, while addressing a joint session of Congress, Trump announced the arrest of a key terrorist behind the deadly 2021 Kabul airport bombing. The attack, carried out by a Daesh-linked suicide bomber, killed 13 U.S. service members and nearly 170 Afghan civilians amid the chaotic American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Trump, who had previously taken a tough stance on Pakistan, took a moment to acknowledge Islamabad’s role in the operation. "I want to thank, especially, the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster," he said. He called it a "huge day" for the families of the American soldiers who lost their lives in the attack, adding that he had personally gotten to know some of them.

This appreciation of Pakistan comes at a time when the U.S. has approved a $397 million package to help maintain Islamabad’s F-16 fighter jets. The funding is part of a U.S.-monitored program meant to support counter-terrorism efforts. However, given Trump's past criticisms of Pakistan, the decision to extend military support has raised eyebrows.

During his first term, Trump had cut off military aid to Pakistan, accusing it of harboring terrorists. However, his stance softened when the Biden administration later restored security assistance, approving $450 million in 2022 for the same F-16 fleet. Now, Trump’s latest remarks and the fresh military support package indicate another shift in the U.S. approach toward Pakistan.

Whether this signals a deeper U.S.-Pakistan security partnership or a short-term diplomatic gesture remains to be seen. However, the arrest of a high-profile terrorist with Pakistan’s help has clearly earned Trump’s approval, at least for now.