ISLAMABAD - Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif on Friday chaired 172nd Corps Commanders Conference at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
The military top brass discussed internal and external situation as well as security issues in detail. Certain important decisions were taken at the meeting.
As per an ISPR statement released to the media, the meeting discussed the country’s security situation as well as the armed forces’ professional affairs. All the corps commanders attended the meeting which took up high-level security issues. During the meeting, the corps commanders expressed satisfaction over the army’s operational preparedness and professional affairs.
According to sources, Gen Raheel Sharif apprised the commanders of the discussions held during his meetings with US Central Command Chief Gen LIoyd Austin.
The sources said the meeting discussed peace talks with Taliban and the Afghanistan situation, especially after the Afghan elections. The Corps Commanders’ Conference is a routine monthly affair at the GHQ during which the commanders discuss professional matters, current situation and the issues impacting the national security.
GEN AUSTIN ACKNOWLEDGES
PAK SACRIFICES
Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Lloyd J Austin III, left Pakistan on Friday after having a series of meetings with senior Pakistani leaders.
Gen Austin discussed a wide range of common security issues with Secretary of Defence Lt Gen (Retired) Asif Yasin Malik, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood, and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, along with other senior military officials.
According to the statement released by ISPR, Gen Austin also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistani security forces and the terrible losses Pakistanis have suffered due to terrorism and violent extremism.
He reaffirmed the importance of the US-Pakistani security relationship to ongoing operations in Afghanistan and also to regional security and stability.
All parties agreed to continue to meet periodically to further common objectives and strengthen cooperation between the two militaries.
Gen Austin said, "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," the statement added.
According to the statement released by US embassy in Pakistan, during his meetings in Pakistan Gen Austin discussed a broad range of common security issues including militant network activities and measures to improve cross-border cooperation with ISAF forces.
Gen Austin was grateful for the opportunity to continue dialogue with his Pakistani counterparts and reaffirmed the importance of the US-Pakistan relationship to regional stability. This was Gen Austin's fourth visit to Pakistan since assuming command of US Central Command in 2013.