Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The military leadership once again clarified Pakistan’s stance on the US by reiterating that Pakistan would continue its support for an Afghan-led peace process but insisted that the blame game should be ended. Talking to General Joseph L Votel, Commander United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) said that Pakistan played a vital role for peace in region. The meeting was held at GHQ on Monday.

According to ISPR, matters of mutual professional interest with special focus on security situation in Afghanistan were discussed in the meeting. The COAS highlighted the importance Pakistan accords to its relations with US, particularly cooperation in counter-terrorism and regional stability. The COAS said that Pakistan supports and looks forward to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.

With reference to recent terrorist incidents in Afghanistan and follow up rhetoric from certain factions implicating Pakistan, COAS said that the blame game is detrimental to enduring peace and stability. The COAS highlighted that Pakistan had undertaken operations against terrorists of all factions and there were no safe havens inside Pakistan to be used against Afghanistan.

He expressed his commitment to work in close coordination with Afghanistan and US led Resolute Support Mission (RSM) for an improved security environment in the Pak-Afghan border region. In this regard, he emphasised the requirement of the Pak-Afghan bilateral border security and intelligence sharing mechanisms.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated the Pakistan Army’s successes in its fight against terrorism and continued efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region. General Joseph L Votel, emphasised the need for continued and meaningful engagement between all stakeholders involved in peace and stability of Afghanistan. He supported the views of COAS on inclusive reconciliation in Afghanistan through an Afghan owned and Afghan led process.

Earlier on arrival at GHQ, a smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honour to the visiting dignitary. General Joseph L Votel also laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e- Shuhada to pay homage to martyrs.

US CENTCOM Commander General Joseph L. Votel also called on General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee at Joint Staff Headquarters, Rawalpindi. Matters of mutual interest with emphasis on geo-strategic environment were discussed during the meeting. The CENTCOM Commander also acknowledged the role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in fighting the menace of terrorism.