WANA, Pakistan: The US Senators have reiterated the importance of institutionalized Pakistan-Afghanistan border security coordination and cooperation mechanism.
It happened when a delegation of US Senate (Arms Committee) headed by Senator John McCain and comprising Senators Lindsey Graham (Republican), Elizbeth Warren (Democrat), Sheldon Whitehouse (Democrat) and David Perdue (Republican) visited South Waziristan agency on Monday along with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
During the visit, the delegation was briefed about the Pak-Afghan border security including recent measures for its improvement through fencing and enhanced surveillance.
The delegation was also briefed on socio-economic development efforts in the agency.
US Senate delegation & COAS visited SWA.”Pak Army’s effort is a great success story,strong Pak-US partnership is only way to succeed”.(1of2) pic.twitter.com/mk04j2vrIU
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 3, 2017
US delegation acknowledged and appreciated Pak Army’s success and socio-economic uplift efforts. COAS thanked US for their support. (2 of 2) pic.twitter.com/eXACLpBqb4
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) July 3, 2017
The delegation was flown over the agency to have view of the border area, newly constructed forts/posts and development works including schools, colleges, hospitals, sports stadium, water supply schemes and roads communication infrastructure.
The delegation having seen the realities on ground acknowledged efforts and sacrifices by Pakistan army and of the local tribes for reestablishing peace and order in the area.
Later, the delegation was scheduled to visit the Line of Control (LoC) which couldn’t get through due to bad weather.
The COAS thanked the senators for their visit and their support in socio-economic uplift of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA).
Earlier upon arrival at WANA, the delegation was received by Commander Peshawar Corps Lieutenant General Nazir Ahmad Butt and General Officer Commanding (GOC) WANA.
