Gen Nadeem, Kazakhstan PM discuss bilateral ties, Afghan crisis

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza met Kazakhstan Prime Minister Askar Mamin on Friday and discussed matters of mutual interest including the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

Gen Nadeem, who is on an official visit to the Central Asian country, also had separate meetings with the defence minister, deputy minister of industry and infrastructural development and chief of general staff of Kazakhstan armed forces, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

During the meetings, both sides deliberated upon various areas of interest including bilateral cooperation, security, counter-terrorism and the prevailing regional environment particularly with reference to Afghanistan, it added.

The military’s media wing said officials of both the countries dilated upon measures to enhance the level and scope of bilateral military engagements and reaffirmed to continue to forge deeper ties.

"Pakistan is keen to expand its existing bilateral military to military cooperation with Kazakhstan", the statement quoted the CJCSC as saying.

The dignitaries lauded the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, the communiqué read.

Gen Nadeem also visited the National Defence University of Kazakhstan and inaugurated ‘Pakistan Military Art Room’. “The room reflects the gallant history of Armed Forces of Pakistan, its culture and traditions.”

Earlier, upon arrival at the Ministry of Defence, the CJCSC was presented guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Kazakhstan Armed Forces.