ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday urged the international community to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat rising militant violence during a meeting with outgoing United States Ambassador Donald Blome.

The discussion highlighted the longstanding history of counterterrorism collaboration between the two countries. Following the events of September 11, 2001, Pakistan became an ally in the US-led war in Afghanistan. Despite fluctuations in their relationship, both sides shared intelligence and carried out coordinated operations, with the US providing military aid to Pakistan.

More recently, Washington has offered counterterrorism support to Islamabad, which is grappling with a surge in militant violence in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses militant groups, such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of launching cross-border attacks with Kabul’s support, an allegation Afghan authorities deny.

“Terrorism is a global issue,” Naqvi said, according to a statement issued by his office after the meeting. “The international community must unite to devise a plan for its complete eradication.”

The US envoy condemned the recent wave of militant violence in Pakistan, as Naqvi reiterated that no illegal foreigner would be allowed to stay in the country.

His remark was made amid a crackdown on Afghan nationals since 2023. Pakistani authorities had accused many of them of involvement in suicide bombings without providing much evidence.

The Pakistani minister also commended Blome’s contributions to enhancing US-Pakistan relations during his tenure.

The US envoy, in turn, acknowledged the cooperation he received during his time in Pakistan.

Blome, the first US ambassador to Pakistan appointed after the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, played a role in recalibrating US-Pakistan relations in the post-war context. His appointment in May 2022 marked the end of a three-year vacancy in the role, during which chargé d’affaires led the US mission.

In addition to his diplomatic responsibilities, the outgoing US ambassador engaged in public diplomacy efforts, including exploring Pakistani culture and cuisine.

Last year, he visited Karachi’s famed Burns Road food street, sampling local delicacies. A video shared by the embassy featuring Blome enjoying the dishes garnered widespread attention.

SINGAPORE: Oil prices were little changed on Thursday, with investors weighing firm winter fuel demand expectations against large builds of fuel inventories in the US, the world’s biggest oil user, and macroeconomic concerns.

Brent crude futures fell 6 cents to $76.1 a barrel by 10:27 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 5 cents to $73.27.

Both benchmarks fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday as a stronger dollar, and the bigger-than-expected rise in US fuel stockpiles weighed on prices.

“The oil market is still grappling with opposite forces — seasonal demand to support the bulls and macro data that supports a stronger US dollar in the medium term ... that can put a ceiling to prevent the bulls from advancing further,” said OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong.

JPMorgan analysts expect oil demand for January to expand by 1.4 million barrels per day year-on-year to 101.4 million bpd, primarily driven by “increased use of heating fuels in the Northern Hemisphere.”

“Global oil demand is expected to remain strong throughout January, fueled by colder-than-normal winter conditions that are boosting heating fuel consumption, as well as an earlier onset of travel activities in China for the Lunar New Year holidays,” the analysts said.

The market structure in the Brent futures is also indicating that traders are becoming more concerned about supply tightening at the same time the demand is increasing.

The premium of the first-month Brent contract over the six-month contract reached its widest since August on Wednesday. A widening of this backwardation, when futures for prompt delivery are higher than for later delivery, typically indicates that supply is declining or demand is increasing.

Nevertheless, official Energy Information Administration data showed rising gasoline and distillates stockpiles last week in the US.

The US dollar firmed further on Thursday, underpinned by rising Treasury yields ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s entrance into the White House on Jan. 20.

Looking ahead, WTI crude oil is expected to oscillate within a range of $67.55-$77.95 into February as the market awaits more clarity on Trump’s administration policies and fresh fiscal stimulus measures out of China, said OANDA’s Wong.