Army chief, CIA director discuss regional security challenges

CIA chief acknowledges accomplishments of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and its positive impact on security calculus

Army chief General Raheel Sharif met CIA chief John Brennan on Monday and discussed security challenges facing the region and the way forward to confront them.

“Regional security challenges and the way forward were discussed,” the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations said in a statement.

#COAS visited CIA HQ Langley,met Dir CIA.Regional security Challenges&way fwd discussed.COAS spec highlighted need for perm stability-1

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 17, 2015

Gen Raheel visited the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters in Langley, Virginia, where he held a meeting with CIA chief John Brennan.



During the meeting, the army chief highlighted the need for permanent stability in the region, DG ISPR Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa said on Twitter.

The army chief stressed the need for a “conducive environment in the region” for re-initiating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

&requirement of conducive Envmt in region for re-initiating Afgn owned&led recon process.Dir CIA acknowledged accomplishments of Ops Z-e-A-2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 17, 2015

“Director CIA acknowledged accomplishments of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, its positive impact on security calculus,” DG ISPR added.

,it's +ve impact on security calculus,aprc Pak efforts 4 recon &discussed opportunities presented 4 future of an enduring regional peace-3

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 17, 2015

The CIA chief praised Pakistan's efforts for the Afghan reconciliation process and discussed with General Raheel the opportunities presented for the future of an enduring regional peace.



The army chief met his American counterpart General Mark A Milley at the Pentagon on Monday and discussed steps taken against terrorism, hurdles to peace in the region and India’s belligerent attitude.

Gen Raheel was warmly received at the Pentagon on Monday as he kicked off his five-day trip to the US.

According to a local television channel, Gen Raheel briefed Gen Milley about progress in Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the steps taken to eradicate terrorism in the region. He also detailed efforts taken to maintain peace in the region and highlighted the hurdles they were facing.

Gen Raheel clarified Pakistan’s perspective on Afghanistan to Gen Milley.

DG ISPR Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said the Afghan peace process was disrupted due to an information leak from Kabul.’



This is the second time Gen Raheel has visited the US this year and comes just a month after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Washington where he met US President Barack Obama.

He is scheduled to meet senior military officials, as well as US Vice President Joe Biden, in the American capital, according to officials.