Peace in Afghanistan a shared interest: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa while visiting UK Ministry of Defence said that peace in Afghanistan is a shared interest; Pakistan will continue its positive role and is ready to work closely with Afghanistan.

According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, COAS was received by UK CGS General Sir Nick Carter and given the guard of honour at Horse Guards Square.

Later, COAS had separate meetings with UK Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Mr Owen Jenkins and also US Resolute Support Mission (RSM) Commander General John Nicholson.

According to ISPR, matters of mutual interest including regional geopolitical environment with special reference to Afghanistan came under discussion. The UK leadership and RSM Commander appreciated and acknowledged positive role played by Pakistan and Pakistan Army towards peace and stability.

COAS reiterated that Pakistan is a peace-loving country and shall continue to play its positive role in bringing about enduring peace and stability in the region.

COAS emphasised that peace in Afghanistan is a shared interest; Pakistan will continue its positive role and is ready to work closely with Afghanistan. He said Pak-Afghan bilateral border security mechanism is critically important and both countries need to formulate this at priority. He shared various border control/management measures which Pakistan has undertaken and urged the requirement of similar measures on other side of the border to defeat a common enemy.

The statement further said that COAS also highlighted that CPEC should be viewed as an economic manoeuvre since it aims at fostering inclusive development in the best interest of the region and beyond.

COAS also thanked UK leadership for their assistance during the war on terror.