US congratulates General Bajwa on appointment as COAS

WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday congratulated General Qamar Javed Bajwa on his appointment as Chief of Army Staff.

In a daily press briefing by the State Department, Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said: “ let’s give this gentleman a chance to get up to speed, but we certainly congratulate him on the appointment and welcome his – the transition to a new chief of army staff.”

Toner said that US maintains a close cooperation with Pakistan on counter-terrorism operations.

“With respect to our counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan, that’s ongoing. We work with them quite closely,” he said.

The deputy spokesperson further added: “They’re aware of some of our concerns, which include a safe haven for some terrorist groups that are active in the region.”

He concluded: “Pakistan’s also paid the price of terrorism. It’s in their interests, obviously, to crack down on any terrorist group that may be finding safe haven within its borders.”