ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday urged the US to acknowledge the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war against terrorism. He was talking to United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph L Votel, who called on him along with an official delegation. Matters of professional interest with special focus on security situation in Afghanistan were discussed. The COAS highlighted the importance Pakistan accorded to its relations with US, particularly security cooperation and efforts towards regional stability. “Pakistan has undertaken operations against terrorists of all hue and colour,” he said. He reiterated his commitment to work in close coordination with Afghan security forces and US-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) for improved security environment in Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. While referring to Afghanistan and Pak-US relations, COAS said that no other country had more interest for peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan. “More than financial or material assistance, we seek acknowledgement of our decades’ long contributions towards regional peace and stability, understanding of our challenges and most importantly the sacrifices Pakistani nation and its security forces have rendered in fight against terrorism and militancy,” he said. US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale was also present. 6th Army PACES Championship: Separately on Friday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Okara Cantonment on the conclusion of 6th Army Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System (PACES) Championship and distributed awards to the winners. A total no of 250 contestants from 10 best teams participated in different events of championship which was held from 9 – 18 Aug 2017. While speaking on occasion, the COAS appreciated the physical fitness standards displayed by the participants of the competition and efforts of both trainers and trainees in achieving those standards. He said that regardless of the advances in warfare technology, the basic traits of soldiering were linked to physical fitness. Rawalpindi Corps team won the 6th Army PACES Championship, while Karachi Corps team won the second position in the competition. Sepoy Zahir Shah won the overall best player award of the competition and Sepoy Nasir Ullah secured overall second position. Published in Daily Times, August 19th 2017.