RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Italian Minister for Defence Sen Roberta Pinotti on Monday held a meeting with his Pakistani Counterpart Khawaja Muhammad Asif and praised Pakistan’s role in peace initiatives in the region, particularly in Afghanistan.
The meeting took place at the Minister of Defence in Rawalpindi on Monday in which the two sides discussed bilateral defence cooperation between Pakistan and Italy and other important issues related to regional security.
During the meeting, Khawaja Asif highlighted that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Italy.
The minister mentioned that memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Defence cooperation with Italy ratified in 2013 will lead to greater cooperation in defence area between both the countries.
The defence minister also expressed that since Italy is an important North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member so the military experience it has gained may be shared with Pakistan Defence Forces who are fighting against the terrorism.
The minister emphasized on the need to explore the areas in the field of joint defence production and to have regular exchange of high level visits between both the countries.
Asif also gave an overview regarding methodological approach of Pakistan in clamping down the terror networks under the National Action Plan (NAP).
The federal minister for defence said that Pakistan believes in Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process and is ready to play a positive role in the reconciliation process.
The minister further mentioned that Pakistan has deployed 202,000 troops along the western border which clearly clarifies the sincere efforts of Pakistan in its campaign against the terror networks.
Khawaja Asif also talked about the Indian ceasefire violations and their effects on Pakistan’s sincere efforts against terror networks.
Moreover, he highlighted the growing imbalance between India & Pakistan’s conventional capabilities, and the ongoing Indian atrocities in Kashmir and growing intolerance towards the minorities.
