COAS says army to stay out of politics

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa assured the nation that the armed forces have distanced themselves from politics and wanted to continue to do so, local English daily Dawn reported on Wednesday.

Gen Bajwa’s remarks came at a lunch hosted at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, where he reiterated his promise to leave office after completing his second three-year term in November, adding that he would fulfil the pledge he made earlier.

According to those in attendance, the COAS addressed the gathering before lunch and then made informal remarks while talking to the guests. He emphasised that reviving Pakistan’s debilitated economy should be the top priority of all as the nation would not be able to achieve its goals without a robust economy.

“There could be no diplomacy either without a strong economy,” said the army chief in his address to an audience which included several Pakistani diplomats.

Read Army chief Gen Bajwa in US on official visit

After lunch, the COAS went to the Pentagon for a meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Bajwa called on Secretary of Defence General (retd) Lloyd James Austin III, National Security Adviser Jacob Jeremiah Sullivan, and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Ruth Sherman.

During the meeting, the leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security and bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The army chief thanked the US officials for their support and reiterated that assistance from “our global partners would be vital for the rescue and rehabilitation of flood victims in Pakistan,” the military’s media wing said.

Both sides noted that Pakistan and the US had a long history of bilateral cooperation and that both countries shall continue improving their economic, trade and investment ties.

Hours after meeting Gen Qamar at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defence General (retd) Lloyd James Austin III took to Twitter, saying: “This year marks the 75th anniversary of relations between the U.S. and Pakistan.”

It was my pleasure to host Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, the US defence secretary added.