US CENTCOM commander calls on COAS to discuss peace in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Commander of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) General Joseph L. Votel, along with his delegation, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday to discuss matters of professional interest with a special focus on the security situation in Afghanistan.

The US Ambassador to Pakistan, David Hale, was also present at the meeting.

The COAS talked about Pak-US relations with regard to Pakistan accords and its importance to its relations with US, particularly security cooperation and efforts towards stability in the South Asian region.

He reiterated his commitment to work closely with the security forces in Afghanistan and the US-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in order to enhance the security conditions along the Durand Line region.

“Pakistan has carried out operations against all types of terrorists,”, an ISPR statement quoted General Bajwa as saying.

With regard to Afghanistan and the Pak-US linkages, the COAS commented: “No other country has more interest for peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan.”

General Bajwa further said that Pakistan seeks acknowledgement of its decades-long contributions towards regional peace and stability besides an understanding of the country’s challenges and sacrifices that Pakistani nation and its security forces have rendered more than financial or material assistance.

Commander USCENTCOM and delegation met COAS. “No other country has more interest for peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan”, COAS. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/GQ5dEzbLGd

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) August 18, 2017