Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday met US Vice President Joe Biden at the White House.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the US vice president appreciated Pakistan’s contributions in war on terror and said that the US wanted to further the growing relationship.
Both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interests, regional security and stability in a candid and cordial atmosphere.
General Raheel Sharif and US Vice President Joe Biden emphasised the need for resumption of reconciliation process to achieve lasting peace in Afghanistan, which, they said, was critical for peace and stability in region.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s crucial role for peace, the vice president recognized Pakistan’s immense sacrifices both in terms of human lives and economic losses.
Biden reiterated firm US commitment to work closely with Pakistan in all areas of mutual interest and deepening and expanding cooperation to counter new and emerging threats.
COAS gave Pakistan’s perspective on the security and stability in the region.
Before his meeting with the US vice president, General Raheel Sharif visited Capitol Hill and met Senate Armed Services Committee chairman and other senior members of the US administration.
He also met Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday and discussed mutual relations, regional security and stability with him.
Earlier on Tuesday, the army chief met with US Defense Minister Ashton Carter in Pentagon and discussed Pak-US defense relations and the regional situation of the area.
Army chief is on a five-day visit to the US, a trip that will focus on security issues facing Islamabad and Washington in the region.
ISPR Director General Lt Gen Asim Bajawa has said that a large area has been cleared of terrorists in the wake of Operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Talking to media personnel in Washington, he, however, said that no specific timeframe could be given for the completion of the anti-terrorism operation. He said that action was also being taken against the abettors and financiers of terrorists.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb was started in June last year and more than 3,000 terrorists have been killed till date.
DG ISPR said the world community should adopt a coordinated approach against the threat of Daesh. He said the outfit will not be tolerated on Pakistani soil.
About Pakistan-US relations, he said the relations were on a positive trajectory and no third country could impact the relationship.
Bajwa said that Kashmir was an outstanding dispute and its resolution was imperative for peace and security.
