Senator John McCain, Chairman of US Senate Arms Services committee, accompanied by a congressional delegation including senator Lindsey Graham and senator Joe Donnelly who are on an official visit to Pakistan called on General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at Rawalpindi.
Olson on a two-day visit before flying to Kabul met with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Choudhary and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said during the meeting of the US delegation with the Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif matters of mutual interest and regional security with particular reference to Afghanistan situation came under discussion.
COAS dilated upon security challenges faced by Pakistan and Pakistan’s contribution in regional stability and global peace. Pakistan’s successes in war on terror, need for an effective border management across long porous Pak-Afghan border to check illegal movement on either side of the border were also discussed. COAS said that a stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest and relationship between both countries hold key for regional peace and security.
Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif, while countering the reservations in Congress during a meeting with a senior US bi-partisan Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain, Chairman Senate Armed Services Committee, at the General Headquarters, counted the successes of military’s counterterrorism Operation Zarb-i-Azb in North Waziristan. Also, the army chief listed unregulated border and rocky ties with Afghanistan as major challenges for sustaining those achievements
Senator McCain while acknowledging Pakistan’s successes in Operation Zarb-e-Azab said Pak Army’s achievements in counter terrorism operations are phenomenal and reflect Pakistan’s determination to eliminate terrorism. He said Pakistan and US need to cement relations in all dimensions and must strive for greater coordination for optimal deliverance of peace dividend in the region.
Joe Donnelly who are on an official visit to Pakistan called on General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at Rawalpindi. (PhotoNews /ISPR)
