In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir stated that Pakistan aspires to become a connecting point and entry point to Central Asia and beyond.
Pakistan “eschews bloc politics” and believes in maintaining balanced relationships with all friendly countries, the army chief said during his maiden trip to the United States, speaking to media and think tanks. He added, “Pakistan is a country of consequence both from the geopolitical and geoeconomic perspectives.”
Gen. Munir reportedly also addressed transnational terrorism, regional security, and the significance of Pakistan’s position on strategic stability in South Asia during his meeting with the military’s media wing.
The Pakistani army chief expressed his country’s interest in forming a long-term multi-domain relationship with the United States in order to increase bilateral engagement. The military’s media wing also noted that the COAS expressed optimism about the future of the partnership and emphasised the good nature of his contacts with US political and military authorities.
During his conversation, the COAS emphasised that Pakistan has been a stronghold in the fight against transnational terrorism for many years, which has helped to maintain peace and security on a global and regional scale. Pakistan “has made unparalleled contributions and sacrifices in its enduring fight against terrorism and will continue to fight till the logical end, in line with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, the ISPR reported that the COAS emphasised the importance of resolving the Kashmir problem in accordance with the desires of the Kashmiri people and the resolutions passed by the UN Security Council. “Regardless of the desires of the area’s millions of people, no unilateral action can change the character of the Kashmir dispute, which is an internationally recognised dispute.”
The military’s media wing went on to say that the COAS stressed the desperate need to halt the suffering in Gaza, provide humanitarian help, and execute the two-state solution for lasting peace in the region.
Upon General Munir’s arrival, the Pakistani ambassador to the United States welcomed him.
