RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif met members of two US Senate committees who appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in eradicating the menace of terrorism.
In a series of tweets, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa said on Thursday the army chief met Senate Committee on Intelligence whose leadership acknowledged that Pakistan has turned tide of terrorism, assuring General Raheel of Washington’s support and cooperation in eradicating terrorism and extremism.
During the meeting, the army chief emphasized that terrorism is a global threat that warrants coordinated global response.
General Raheel Sharif also had a meeting with Chairman and members of the US Senate’s Armed Services Committee at the Capitol Hill.
Army chief said in the meeting that terrorism is an international problem and the entire world will have to unite to counter it. He said that the management of Pak-Afghan border will also have to be improved.
Committee Chairman Senator MacCain applauded efforts, sacrifices and steadfastness of the Pakistan’s armed force, especially General Raheel’s leadership in fighting terrorist networks on both sides of Pak-Afghan border.
“With clear regional security perspective, the COAS highlighted need for stepped up Pak-Afghan border management and sustained cooperation to deal with emerging threats,” said Asim Bajwa.
It is pertinent to mention here that the army chief had met Secretary of State John Kerry and discussed mutual relations with him. Regional security and stability were discussed in this meeting. It was agreed upon in the meeting that Afghanistan and India should take measures for regional stability. Army chief had stressed upon the solution of Kashmir issue and enlightened the senator about Pakistan’s point of view overregional security.
Kerry said on this occasion that US relations with Pakistan are not dependent on other countries. He said that the US admitted Pakistan soldiers’ sacrifices in the war on terror.
The Army Chief discussed defence cooperation, strengthening military to military relations, regional security, need for enhanced coordination and increased training exchanges during meeting with top US military officials.
Later, CJCS General Dunford hosted special banquet in honor of General Raheel Sharif at Fort Myer.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Army Chief met with US Defense Minister Ashton Carter in Pentagon.
According to the ISPR, the US Defense Minister during the meeting stated that US relations with Pakistan were not subject to other countries.
General Shareef stated that Pakistan faces several challenges, however the country’s national consensus depicts that Pakistan is determined in the complete eradication of terrorism.
According to the details, US-Pak defense relations and the regional situation of the area were discussed in detail during the meeting.
Ashton Carter lauded Pakistan’s successes in the war against terrorism and stated that effective results of Operation Zarb-e-Azb were being seen.
He further stated that Pakistan was a significant ally and US will continue its support for the country in the fight against terrorism. NNI