Czech Ambassador Tomas Smetanka calls on COAS Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: The Czech Republic Ambassador to Pakistan Tomas Smetanka called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at General Headquarters (GHQ), Inter-Services Public Relations said on Friday.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, the current situation in Afghanistan and measures for collaboration in extending direly needed humanitarian assistance to Afghans were discussed.

COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan values its relations with EU countries and we earnestly look forward to enhancing mutually beneficial multi-domain relations based on common interests.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, efforts for regional stability and pledged to play his part for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

Earlier, COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of United Kingdom (UK) Admiral Sir Antony David Radakin had a telephone conversation on Thursday as they discussed the situation in Afghanistan.

COAS Bajwa had congratulated the admiral on assuming a new appointment and hoped that he would play his role in further strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

During the call, matters of mutual interest including military cooperation, regional security and current security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan were discussed, the media wing of the military said.

COAS Qamar Bajwa had stressed the urgency for devising an institutional mechanism for channelling humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in order to avert a looming humanitarian catastrophe.

He had reiterated that Pakistan wants cordial ties with all its neighbours in pursuit of regional peace and prosperity.

The British dignitary had appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, role in regional stability and pledged to play his part for further improvement in security cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.