COAS urges global convergence to avoid Afghan crises

Army chief says Pakistan desires to maintain long-term and multi-domain relationship with the US

The special envoys of US, China and Russia separately called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and discussed the situation in Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations, according to the military wing of the armed forces.

In the meeting between US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West and the army chief, the current security situation in Afghanistan, and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed, said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Army Chief Gen Qamar said that Pakistan desired to maintain the tradition of bilateral engagement and wished for a long-term and multi-domain enduring relationship with the United States. He stressed the need for global convergence on the Afghan issue to avoid a looming humanitarian crisis.

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

Read COAS doubles down on global efforts to avert humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

In the meeting with the Russian special representative, matters of mutual interest, current security situation in Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation in various fields was discussed.

The army chief said that Pakistan was keen to enhance bilateral ties with Russia and wanted to remain engaged with all regional players too. “Pakistan desires to maintain the tradition of bilateral engagement with all the regional players and wish for long term and enduring multi-domain relationship with Russia,” the ISPR quoted Gen Qamar as saying.

The Russian envoy appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, special efforts for border management, role in regional stability and pledged to play his part for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels, read the communique.

Separately, Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong, Special Envoy on Afghanistan Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China, also called on Gen Qamar at the GHQ. During the meeting matters of mutual interest, regional security situation, including Afghanistan situation and measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation, were discussed, said the military’s media wing.