- Field Marshal lauds Gen Kurilla’s exemplary leadership: ISPR.
- COAS Munir holds interactive session with Pakistani diaspora.
- Urges diaspora to remain confident in Pakistan’s bright future.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir engaged in high-level interactions with senior political and military leadership during his official visit to the United States, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Sunday.
According to the military’s media wing, COAS Munir is in the US on an official visit where he also met members of the Pakistani diaspora.
In Tampa, the COAS attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing Commander United States Central Command (Centcom), General Michael E Kurilla, and the Change of Command Ceremony marking the assumption of command by Admiral Brad Cooper, the press release read.
“[The] COAS lauded General Kurilla’s exemplary leadership and his invaluable contributions to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, and extended his best wishes to Admiral Cooper, expressing confidence in continued collaboration to address shared security challenges,” the statement added.
The army chief also met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, where matters of mutual professional interest were discussed.
Field Marshal invited General Caine to visit Pakistan, the military’s media wing said.
On the sidelines, COAS Munir also interacted with chiefs of defence from friendly nations.
During an interactive session with the Pakistani diaspora, the COAS urged them to remain confident in Pakistan’s bright future and to actively contribute to attracting investments.
The diaspora reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Pakistan’s progress and development, the press release concluded.
The visit follows an earlier official trip to the United States in June, during which Field Marshal Munir met President Donald Trump over a luncheon.
During the meeting, which extended to over two hours, both sides also discussed avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation in multiple domains, including trade, economic development, mines and minerals, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies.
Following the army chief’s visit, Pakistan and Washington have since then reached a much-awaited trade agreement as well.
The trade deal was confirmed by Trump himself who took to social media, saying that the two countries will “work together on developing their massive oil reserves” and were currently “in the process of choosing the oil company” which will be leading this partnership.
President Asif Ali Zardari, back in July, conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) upon Centcom commander Gen Kurilla in recognition of his exceptional services for regional peace and efforts to bolster Pakistan-US defence cooperation.
During his visit, General Kurilla held detailed meetings with senior Pakistani civil and military leadership, including President Zardari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
The discussions encompassed regional security, military-to-military engagement, and joint efforts to combat terrorism and emerging transnational threats.
