Daily Times

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday held separate meetings with the Turkish Land Forces commander and the Italian defence minister and discussed a wide range of topics, including defence and regional security.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Turkish Land Forces Commander General Salih Zeki Colak visited the General Headquarters and called on COAS General Raheel Sharif.

During the meetings, topics of mutual interest, including defence, security cooperation, training and measures contributing towards regional stability came under discussion, the ISPR press release stated.

General Colak was given a detailed briefing on operational, intelligence and training aspects of the Pakistan Army. The visiting dignitary lauded the unparalleled achievements of the Pakistan Army and sacrifices made in the fight against terrorism. Earlier, on his arrival at the General Headquarters, the Turkish Land Forces commander laid a wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour to the visiting dignitary. The delegation is scheduled to visit training institutions, including recently established state-of-the-art National Counter Terrorism Centre in Pabbi.

Meanwhile, Italian Defence Minister Senator Roberta Pinotti called on General Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, including defence collaboration and regional security, came under discussion.

The visiting dignitary lauded the successes and achievements of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and acknowledged the resolve and sacrifices of the Pakistani nation and the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.

On the other hand, Secretary General and National Armament Director of Italy Lt General Carlo Magarrassi called on Defence Production Secretary Lt Gen (r) Syed Muhammad Owais.

During the meeting, held at the Ministry of Defence Production in Rawalpindi, matters pertaining to mutual interest came under discussion, according to a press release. The two sides exchanged views to further promote cooperation in the field of defence industry, which would help open up new avenues for joint collaboration.

Both sides also stressed the need for increased military-to-military cooperation at all levels.