Army Chief meets ISAF Commander

RAWALPINDI PAKISTAN: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani met International Assistance Force (ISAF) Commander Joseph F. Dunford on Monday as part of the continuing tri-partite commission effort to strengthen military to military cooperation and regional stability.

This was General Dunford’s first visit to Pakistan in his official capacity as ISAF Commander. Placing a high priority on the ISAF-Pakistan relationship, General Dunford had previously met with General Kayani in the days preceding his assumption of command in February.

During the session on Monday, the two military leaders discussed a variety of issues related to strengthening cooperation and pressuring militants who threaten security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

General Kayani reiterated Pakistan’s stance and desire for peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan and the need for a successful Afghan-owned-Afghan-led peace process. He emphasized the need to continue supporting all efforts to bring peace in Pak-Afghan border region. He urged ISAF to help Pakistan check cross border attacks launched from inside Afghanistan.

“The Pakistani, the Afghans and the international community all desire peace and security in the region. These meetings are important to achieving that goal as we continue to explore ways to expand our relationship”. General Dunford said