RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that Pakistan has undertaken operations against terrorists of all hue and colour, and there are no safe havens inside Pakistan to be used against Afghanistan.
In a meeting with the Commander United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) General Joseph L Votel on Monday at the army’s general headquarters in Rawalpindi in which matters of mutual professional interest with special focus on security situation in Afghanistan were discussed, the COAS highlighted the importance Pakistan accords to its relation with the US, particularly cooperation in counter-terrorism and regional stability.
The COAS said that Pakistan supports and looks forward to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
With reference to recent terrorist incidents in Afghanistan and follow up rhetoric from certain factions implicating Pakistan, the COAS said that blame game is detrimental to enduring peace and stability.
The COAS expressed his commitment to work in close coordination with Afghanistan and US-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) for improved security environment in Pak-Afghan border region.
In this regard, he emphasized requirement of Pak-Afghan bilateral border security and intelligence sharing mechanisms.
The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan army’s successes in fight against terrorism and continued efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region.
General Joseph L Votel emphasized the need for continued and meaningful engagement between all stakeholders involved in peace and stability of Afghanistan. He supported the views of the Pakistan Army Chief on inclusive reconciliation in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process.
Earlier on arrival at GHQ, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan army presented guard of honor to the visiting dignitary. General Joseph L Votel also laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to pay homage to martyrs.
A dinner will also be hosted by the COAS in honour of Commander CENTCOM later in the evening today.
Separately, the Commander US CENTCOM also met the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat at Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi and discussed matters of mutual interest with emphasis on geo-strategic environment.
The Commander CENTCOM acknowledged the role played by the Pakistan armed forces in fighting the menace of terrorism.
