US military for Pakistan’s role in Afghan peace

Top American commander has reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Pakistani security relationship to ongoing operations in Afghanistan and also to regional security and stability.

General Lloyd J. Austin III, Commander of U.S. Central Command, wrapped his two-day visit to Pakistan on Saturday after a series of meetings with senior Pakistani military leaders, the U.S. embassy said.

General Austin discussed with Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Secretary of Defense, Lt Gen (Retd.) Asif Yasin Malik and other senior military officials a broad range of common security issues, to include militant network activities and measures to improve cross-border cooperation with ISAF forces.

“General Austin also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistani security forces and the terrible losses Pakistanis have suffered due to terrorism and violent extremism,” the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

All parties agreed to continue to meet periodically to further common objectives and to strengthen cooperation between the two militaries, it said.

General Austin said of his visit:  “We had a good meeting and a candid discussion.  Pakistan’s senior military leaders clearly understand their country’s important and unique role in promoting security and stability in Afghanistan and throughout the region as a whole.  I am most grateful for their hospitality and look forward to our continued collaboration.”

Pakistan military said Friday that the Centcom chief and Pakistan military leaders discussed ‘geo-Strategic situation of the region with an emphasis on Afghanistan.’

This was General Austin’s first visit to Pakistan since he has under taken his new responsibilities in December last year, a Pakistan military statement said.

General Lloyd J. Austin and General Kayani discussed matters of bilateral and professional interest with special emphasis on strengthening the existing military to military coordination mechanisms, a military statement said.

This is the second visit of top American military leader to Pakistan in less than a week.

General Joseph F. Dunford, Commander of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) visited Pakistan on Monday, had met General Kayani and discussed a variety of issues related to strengthening cooperation and pressuring militants who threaten security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

General Kayani had urged General Dunford to help Pakistan check cross-border attacks launched from inside Afghanistan, which is the main reason of the current diplomatic tension between the two uneasy neighbours.

Pakistani military leaders and the Centcom chief met at a time when relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are tense, that would be a matter of concerns for the United States as the tension could destabilize the region when the NATO plans withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The military said that Pakistani militants who had fled to Afghanistan after operations in the tribal regions and Swat valley have regrouped their fighters for attacks on Pakistani border posts and villages.

Afghan authorities also claim that Pakistani forces fire rockets into its Kunar province.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=39721

Posted by Tahir Khan on Apr 6 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.