COAS Munir, US Centcom commander discuss regional security cooperation

• Centcom commander calls on army chief at GHQ: ISPR.
• Says matters of shared interests come under discussion.
• Both sides discussed avenues of the joint training. 

General Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command (Centcom), called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and discussed matters of mutual interest, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

During the meeting, matters of shared interests, particularly cooperation in regional security matters came under discussion, the military’s media wing added.

It also said both sides discussed avenues of joint training and reiterated the need for enhancing training interactions between Centcom and the Pakistan Army.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated the Pakistan Army’s successes in the fight against terrorism and Pakistan’s continued efforts to bring peace and stability to the region, the ISPR added.

In December last year, Gen Munir paid a maiden visit to the US since office in November 2022 wherein he met top US officials.

He had met the Centcom commander during a visit to the Headquarters of the Central Command in Tampa Bay, Florida last year.

The COAS had also visited the Centcom Joint Operations Centre, as per the ISPR.

The army chief had also held meetings with top US officials including Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Secretary of Defence General (retd) Llyod J Austin, Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q Brown during the visit.

In the meetings, Pakistan and the US had agreed to enhance cooperation on matters related to counter-terrorism and defence collaboration, according to the ISPR’s statement.