Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited UK Ministry of Defence. Upon arrival, COAS was received by UK CGS General Sir Nick Carter and given guard of honour at Horse Guards Square.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), COAS had separate meetings with UK Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Mr. Owen Jenkins and also US Resolute Support Mission (RSM) Commander General John Nicholson.
Matters of mutual interest including regional geo-political environment with special reference to Afghanistan came under discussion. The UK leadership and RSM Commander appreciated and acknowledged positive role played by Pakistan and Pakistan Army towards peace and stability.
#COAS in UK. Met UK Chief of Defence Staff, UK Spec Rep for Afg & Pak and US Resolute Sp Msn Commander. pic.twitter.com/OfTcY4LCql
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) April 3, 2017
COAS reiterated that Pakistan is a peace loving country and shall continue to play its positive role in bringing about enduring peace and stability in the region. COAS emphasized that peace in Afghanistan is a shared interest; Pakistan will continue its positive role and is ready to work closely with Afghanistan. He said Pak-Afghan bilateral border security mechanism is critically important and both countries need to formulate this at priority. He shared various border control / management measures which Pakistan has undertaken and urged the requirement of similar measures on other side of the border to defeat common enemy.
COAS also highlighted that CPEC should be viewed as an economic maneuver since it aims at fostering inclusive development in best interest of the region and beyond. COAS also thanked UK leadership for their assistance during war on terror.
COAS meeting RSM commander during his visit to UK
COAS meeting Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Mr. Owen Jenkins
COAS meeting CDS during his visit to UK
COAS with UK CGS during his visit to UK
COAS being presented Guard of honour on arrival at Horse Guard square
COAS with CGS, Special Representative and UK higher Commissioner in Pakistan
