COAS, British CGS discuss regional security issues at GHQ

Visiting dignitary acknowledged sacrifices and achievements of Pakistan Army in fight against terrorism, says ISPR

The Chief of General Staff (CGS) of the UK Army, General Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at the Pakistan Army's General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, the military said in a statement.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the CGS UK Army laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada upon his arrival at the GHQ. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honour to the visiting dignitary, it said.

The ISPR stated that regional security issues and matters of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged the sacrifices and achievements of the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and its efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region.

Earlier, the CGS UK also called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at the Joint Staff Headquarters.

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General Sanders arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a five-day defence engagement visit as part of the long-standing defence cooperation agreement between the UK and Pakistan.

According to the press release, the depth and warmth of the UK-Pakistan military relationship and friendship, underpinned by a shared history and ‘living bridge' diaspora links, is highly valued by the UK.

The existing defence relationship includes Pakistani officers undertaking training at the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the Advance Command and Staff Course, and the Royal College of Defence Studies.

Gen Sanders’ visit comes almost a year after Pakistan’s devastating floods that left nearly one-third of the country submerged and affected an estimated 33 million people.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence was directly involved in providing assistance for flood relief operations, airlifting in eight boats and 10 portable generators at the request of the Pakistani army chief.

Discussing bilateral military cooperation in response to climate change-related crises will be a key focus of the visit.