RAWALPINDI – General Qamar Jawed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), visited Kabul, Afghanistan for a day-long official visit on Monday.
The army chief held a meeting with Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan. General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter, Chief of the Defence Staff UK was also present during the meeting, said ISPR in a statement.
“Matters of mutual interest, current developments in Afghan Peace Process, enhanced bilateral security & defense cooperation and need for effective border management between the two brotherly countries were discussed,” it added.
COAS reiterated that a peaceful Afghanistan means a peaceful region in general and a peaceful Pakistan in particular. We will always support “Afghan led-Afghan Owned” Peace Process based on mutual consensus of all stakeholders.
Afghan President thanked COAS for a meaningful discussion and appreciated Pakistan’s sincere & positive role in Afghan Peace Process.
Later, COAS also called on H.E. Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation of Afghanistan and discussed matters related to Afghan Peace Process.
Lieutenant General Faiz Hamid, Director General Inter Services Intelligence, accompanied COAS during the visit.
Earlier today, General Sir Patrick Nicholas, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the United Kingdom Army, called on the Pakistan Army chief at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Tuesday to discuss regional security issues, especially developments in the Afghan peace process, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announcement.
The Afghan Peace Process, stability and defense cooperation, as well as the changing global geostrategic situation, were all addressed, according to the Pakistan Military’s media arm.
The COAS also expressed his condolences on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, saying that the world had lost a valued comrade.
General Patrick praised the Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts in the war against terrorism and efforts to bring peace and stability to the country, especially the Afghan Peace Process, on the occasion.
The army chief expressed his gratitude to the visiting dignitary and stated that the Pakistan Army values its good ties with the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has announced that they would commit to a three-day ceasefire for the Islamic religious holiday of Eid.
