COAS, CENTCOM chief discuss regional security

Islamabad:

A top US military commander held talks with Army Chief General Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on the state of regional security and defense cooperation, an official handout issued on Monday said.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the regional security situation and defense cooperation were discussed during a meeting between US Central Command (Centcom) General Michael Eric Kurila and the army chief.

“Both leaders were said to have reiterated the desire to further strengthen bilateral relations in all areas,” it added.

The ISPR also said that “the visiting official acknowledged and appreciated the successes of the Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region.”

This was General Kurilla’s second visit in the last seven months. Last visited in December, weeks after the change of military command in Pakistan.

In an interview to The Express Tribune at the time Kurilla had said that he had previously developed a relationship with General Asim Munir.

The two generals forged a relationship when General Kurilla was the chief of staff of Centcom, while General Munir headed Pakistan’s top spy agency – the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

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The Centcom chief had said that General Munir had a “clear vision” for his forces and Pakistan’s security “Just two weeks after taking command of the Pakistan Army, General Munir has a clear vision for his forces and security of Pakistan,” General Kurilla had said in the December interview.

“The US and Pakistan have a common interest in combating threats to regional security. The US-Pakistan relationship must stand on its own, thanks to its own bilateral strengths and potential to improve stability across the region,” according to the Centcom chief.

US-led foreign forces may have withdrawn from Afghanistan, but Washington remains closely focused on the situation in the neighboring country. The US does not want Afghanistan to turn into safe havens for terrorists, including Daesh and Al-Qaeda who pose a direct threat to its interests.

This is why the Pentagon and GHQ maintain close contacts on Afghanistan and other regional issues. The US has supported Pakistan in its concerns about terrorist sanctuaries of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Recent months have seen an increase in terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan has blamed the Afghan Taliban for not dealing with the TTP.