Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS
A top US commander held talks on Thursday with Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on key regional issues including the current situation in Afghanistan at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Commander of the US Central Command General Lloyd J. Austin’s visit was part of ongoing consultations between the two countries on post-2014 Afghanistan, officials said here.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), General Austin and General Raheel discussed ‘matters of mutual interest with special emphasis on regional security’. This was General Austin’s third visit to Pakistan as CENTCOM commander. The two generals reaffirmed the importance of the US-Pakistani security relationship to regional stability and agreed to continue to work together in order to build a stronger partnership and further common objectives.
Austin’s trip follows a visit by US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan James Dobbins wherein both sides decided to make efforts to revive the Afghan reconciliation effort once the new government is installed there as a result of presidential elections. Pakistan is considered crucial not only to future political dispensation but also to ensure the smooth withdrawal of hundreds of thousands of US-led Nato forces from Afghanistan by the end of this year.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2014.
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It is important to remember that our nations were often criticized for not coordinating and communicating effectively with regards to our common mission in the region. Our governments committed to improving our ties through better communication and coordination. Meetings likes these allow our officials to build on our improving relationship, and at the same time, address our shared concerns in the region. The U.S. and Pakistan are two independent partner nations, and we are working together to negate the common threat of terrorism. We fully respect Pakistan’s independence, and there is no reason for anyone to be pessimistic regarding our partnership. We look forward to meeting regularly, and certainly hope to remain united for the sake of achieving our shared peace objectives in the region.
Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
Meeting with the general Raheel by US officials including their general indicates as to who is in the pilot seat in Pakistan..Infant democracy always scared of the boot.