ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Japan have underlined the need to enhance the existing level of interaction between the two Countries in the field of defence.
In a meeting with the Japanese ambassador to Pakistan Takashi Kurai in Islamabad on Thursday, the Federal Minister for Defence Khurram Dastgir Khan said with regard to the subject of defence collaboration, that we are open to new ideas and suggestions in order to improve and strengthen the existing level of collaboration.
Dastgir said that Pakistan’s armed forces have developed elaborate training facilities and expertise in various fields including counter terrorism training and maritime security.
The minister welcomed the officers and men of Japan Self Defence Forces (JSDF) to avail operational, technical and staff level training including the Counter Terrorism training, in Pakistan.
The defence minister also commended the efforts of the Japanese government for holding of regular Pakistan-Japan Politico-Military Dialogue and Military to Military dialogue, and elaborated that exchange of such visits and interactions are a concrete expression of both the countries to fortify the defence relations but we must work together to increase the periodicity of these interactions.
Khurram Dastgir also appreciated the role of Japan in the promotion of peace and stability in Afghanistan and South Asia Region.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the successes of military operations Zarb-e-Azb, Radd-ul-Fasaad and Khyber-IV in Pakistan.
The minister emphasized that ironically, while Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate terrorism from this region and beyond have gradually intensified in last four years, the support and recognition of our contributions by the international community have reduced.
Dastgir expressed his desire for lasting peace and stability in South Asia and Asia Pacific region and emphasized on the need for the solution of Kashmir issue in the light of UN resolutions.
The Japanese ambassador felicitated the minister for assuming new office, and highlighted that we live in a different security environment therefore we need to enhance the existing level of interaction in order to better understand each other’s perspective.
Takashi Kurai exemplified that ongoing crisis in Korean Peninsula is worry some for the regional countries especially for Japan.
The envoy also appreciated the enormous sacrifices made by Pakistan in war against terrorism and stated that Japan acknowledges that Pakistan is one of the most effected countries due to extremism and terrorism.
