June 8, 2005	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 30, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, June 7: Deputy Commander of US Central Command (Centcom), Lt-Gen Lance L. Smith, separately met the interior minister, the chief of general staff of Pakistan Army and the chief of staff of Pakistan Navy here on Tuesday. Lt-Gen Smith, who oversees US Centcom’s operations in Afghanistan, visited the interior ministry and met Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao.

Mr Sherpao told Lt-Gen Smith that Pakistan had been committed to seeing stability in Afghanistan, and it would do its utmost to help its Afghan brethren in their efforts to rebuild their country.

An official statement said the US commander appreciated the role Pakistan had played as an important ally of the US in the war against terror.

The US general briefed the interior minister on the situation in Afghanistan and hoped that it would soon become conducive for the Afghan refugees to return to their country.

Lt-Gen Smith also visited the General Headquarters and met the Chief of General Staff, Lt-Gen Tariq Majid.

Later, he visited the Naval Headquarters and met Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Farooq Rashid.

Matters of professional interest were discussed during the meetings, said the ISPR.

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