COAS, US defence secy discuss regional security

WASHINGTON: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir held a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir is in the United States of America on an official visit.

According to the army’s media wing, this is General Syed Asim Munir’s first visit to the USA as COAS.

Upon arrival at the US ministry of defense, General Asim Munir was welcomed by Lloyd Austin. Sources familiar with the details of the meeting said matters related to regional peace and bilateral defense cooperation came under discussion.

Furthermore, terror attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil were also discussed.

According to a statement issued by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj-General Pat Ryder, Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir at the Pentagon on Wednesday where the two officials discussed recent regional security developments and potential areas for bilateral defense cooperation.

The army chief’s visit was also discussed at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, where a journalist reminded Patrick Ryder that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin would have his first face-to-face meeting with Pakistan’s new army chief and asked what the US defence chief was looking for in this meeting.

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“Will they be talking about the deportation of Afghans from Pakistan or potentially buying munitions to go to Ukraine?” the journalist asked.

Gen Ryder replied, “I don’t have any meetings to read out from the podium. Certainly, as you know, when the secretary meets with foreign counterparts and leaders, we provide a readout. So, if we have a readout to put out, we’ll certainly do that.”

Another journalist asked, “How would you assess US-Pakistan military relations at this point?”

Gen Ryder said, “Pakistan continues to be an important partner in the region. And so obviously, through Centcom, we continue to stay in close contact with them, particularly when it comes to issues like counter-terrorism.”

General Asim Munir is also expected to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.