Meets Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa
Ali Furqan
RAWALPINDI: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Joseph Burns held a meeting with Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday and discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, a statement from the military’s media wing said.
Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Faiz Hameed was also present during the meeting, which focused on the Afghanistan situation and regional security after the US withdrawal and the formation of the Taliban government in Kabul.
“It was reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to cooperate with its international partners for peace in the region and ensuring a stable and prosperous future for [the] Afghan people,” the ISPR said.
The CIA chief appreciated Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, including the successful evacuation operation, efforts for regional stability and pledged to play a role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.
Before coming to Pakistan, the US intel chief had visited New Dehli, where he met Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.
Last month, in a phone call to Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin had conveyed Washington’s interest in continuing to improve the US-Pakistan relationship, the Pentagon said.
Secretary Austin “expressed his interest in continuing to improve the US-Pakistan relationship and build upon our multiple shared interests in the region”, the statement added.
Mr Austin also discussed the mutual goals of security and stability in the region, he said.
