Staff Reporter
Rawalpindi
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in a call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday emphasised “need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement” following the killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.
Taking to Twitter, Pompeo shared that he had reached out to officials from multiple countries, including Bajwa, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
“Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa and I spoke today about US defensive action to kill Qassem Soleimani,” shared Pompeo on Twitter, adding
the “Iran regime’s actions in the region are destabilising and our resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities, and partners will not waver”.
Shortly after, Inter-Services Public Relations via Twitter confirmed that the two had spoken. “COAS received telephone call from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Regional situation including possible implications of recent escalation in Middle East was discussed.”
“COAS emphasised need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement by all concerned to de-escalate the situation in broader interest of peace and stability,” said the army’s media wing in another tweet. “COAS also reiterated the need for maintaining focus on success of Afghan Peace Process.”
