Rawalpindi: US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Michael Eric Corella on Monday discussed the regional security situation with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that the development took place during a meeting of a senior US military official with COAS Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
General Karila appreciated the achievements of the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism and Pakistan’s continuous efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.
The media wing of the army said that apart from the regional security situation, issues of mutual interest and defense cooperation were discussed during the meeting.
“Both reiterated their desire to further enhance bilateral relations in all fields,” ISPR said.
The meeting comes at a time when both countries – Pakistan and the US – have called on war-torn Afghanistan to ensure that its territory is not used as a safe haven for terrorists.
The US reiterated last week that the Afghan Taliban must ensure their country is not used for terrorist attacks as Pakistan accuses the neighboring country of harboring the hard-line Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“The Taliban have a responsibility to […] prevent Afghanistan from being used as a safe haven for terrorist attacks,” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said during a press briefing.
Top Pakistani army officials have said that safe havens and freedom of action for terrorists belonging to the outlawed TTP and its affiliates in Afghanistan is a major factor affecting Islamabad’s security.
Terrorist attacks in Pakistan have increased since November last year when the TTP scrapped a ceasefire agreement with Islamabad, with the armed forces also stepping up efforts against the militants.
