Army Chief in Canberra: Pakistan, Australia discuss defence ties

Pakistan’s role and contributions in fighting terrorism discussed

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, who is on an official visit to Australia held separate meetings with Australian Minister of Defence, David Johnston and Secretary Defence, Dennis Richardson on Wednesday and discussed with them matters of regional security and bilateral defence cooperation in Canberra. Gen Raheel Sharif also met Lt Gen David Morrison, Australian Army Chief and discussed matters related to further strengthening military to military ties between the two countries. Later, Gen Raheel Sharif attended  a round table discussion hosted by Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs along with Australian services chiefs and high ranking officials of the defence ministry. Pakistan’s role and contributions in fighting terrorism and need for enhanced bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries were discussed. Pakistan’s experiences in combating terrorism, and its expertise in countering IEDs were widely discussed and acknowledged, said an ISPR press release.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 7^th, 2014.