United States Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Lloyd Austin praised Pakistan Army’s committed fight against terrorism during his meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
On his maiden visit to US, General Raheel has held a series of high-level meetings with American officials at the CENTCOM headquarters in Florida.
Personally received by General Austin in Tampa, the COAS was also given a military guard of honour.
During his meeting with the CENTCOM chief, General Raheel put forward Pakistan’s perspective on regional security and improving Pakistan-Afghan relations, following Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Islamabad.
Recent Indian aggression along the Line of Control was also part of discussions.
A spokesperson of the State Department told journalists that these meetings focused on a range of issues including border security and proved to be both positive and productive.
He also said that the US has a broad relationship with Pakistan and General Raheel’s visit would help in strengthening bilateral ties further.
Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts were acknowledged by the spokesperson when he responded to a question. The ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan was also defined as extremely important.
