Gen Qamar gets invitation to visit Afghanistan

Army chief phones Afghan top leadership to convey New Year wishes and vows to work together for peace in the region

The Ashraf Ghani government in Kabul has invited Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on a visit to Afghanistan as the latter phoned the top leadership to convey his best wishes for the year ahead.

While speaking to the leadership, including the Afghan president, the country’s chief executive and army chief – Gen Qamar pledged to work together for sustainable peace in the region.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) said that peace in both countries is in greater interest of the region, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

#COAS called Afg President, CE & Army Chief on tel. Conveyed best wishes for 2017 & pledged to work together for peace in the region. Cont..

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 31, 2016

#COAS said that peace in both countries is in greater interest of the Region. Afghan ldrship invited COAS for a visit to Afghanistan.

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 31, 2016

On December 17, the army chief arrived in Saudi Arabia on a maiden three-day official visit. It was General Qamar’s first ever official visit to any foreign land since he was appointed as the COAS.

Upon arrival, the army chief was received by the Saudi Assistant Defence Minister Muhammad bin Abdullah al Ayesh. During the trip to the kingdom, the army chief met senior military and civil leadership of the oil-rich kingdom.