US chief of naval operations arrives in Pakistan, meets COAS, CNS

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

***ISLAMABAD: Admiral Jonathan Greenert, US chief of naval operations, arrived in the federal capital city on Tuesday on an important visit aimed at enhancing professional cooperation between the navies of the two countries.*

Admiral Jonathan also held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at the army's General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, according to an Inter Services Public Relations spokesperson.

Admiral Jonathan held a meeting with Chief of Naval staff Admiral Asif Sandila at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, a spokesman for Pakistan Navy told Dawn.

During the meetings both sides agreed to enhance professional cooperation between two navies.

The US official appreciated the role of Pakistan Navy in anti-piracy operation in gulf of Aden.

Earlier, the top Navy commander of the US also visited Karachi where he had addressed Navy cadets at Pakistan Navy Academy, PNS Rahbar in Manora.

He also inspected Pakistani submarine "Khalid" and ship PNS Alamgir, which is a guided-missile frigate and lauded the professional standards maintained by sailors and officers of Pakistan Navy.

The Pakistan Navy spokesman added Admiral Jonathan would also meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during his stay in Islamabad.

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Taimoor Khan

May 13, 2014 02:24pm

Why Pakistan Navy is letting an american officer into our strategic submarine which is believed to be nuclear capable. Isn't that a security breach?

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Haider Rehman

May 13, 2014 03:35pm

@Taimoor Khan It's not like they show how the submarine operates or made... Just showing them that we are also a nuclear power and fully capable of exploiting our resources.

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zain warren

May 13, 2014 03:53pm

@Taimoor Khan . sir due think some sort of security exists in pakistan..i admire your good faith in the security of pakistan.

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Atif

May 13, 2014 04:22pm

@Taimor, Americans already know about these submarines vis how much they are capable of. Since the technology is French and not indeginous. Even China had alllwed the defence minister of america to visit there first only aircraft carrier to visit.

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daniel shiger

May 13, 2014 04:49pm

You can get this training and co-operation from China. Why America?

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Taimoor Khan

May 13, 2014 04:54pm

@Atif With all due respect, I am sure even Sudan will know that what role these Agosta-90Bs play in Pakistan nuke program. That is not the issue. The issue is that these strategic weapon systems are sole domain of Pakistan and Pakistanis only. Not even friendly countries and their nationals should be allowed anywhere near to them let alone military personal from a state like USA. While I take your example of Chinese allowing Americans to visit their aircraft career , but the difference is that while aircraft career is a force multiplier, it is not a strategic weapon of mass destruction. Put it this way, will Americans ever allow any Pakistani military officers to roam in their trident submarines? I doubt it.

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saleem hatoum

May 13, 2014 05:14pm

@Taimoor Khan You call Agosta 90B a nuclear capable sub? How? The press needs to ask Admiral Greenert the status of three more Perry-class frigates which the US COngress block the transfer rather then this hogwash of lauded the professional standards maintained by sailors and officers of Pakistan Navy.

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saleem hatoum

May 13, 2014 05:15pm

@Taimoor Khan PN officers have been inside the US SSBN Trident class

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Candid1

May 13, 2014 05:39pm

@Taimoor Khan PNS Khalid is not nuclear capable.

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joe

May 13, 2014 05:43pm

@Taimoor Khan No because that submarine probably built by USA and given to us just like they gave us F-16, etc etc.

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joe

May 13, 2014 05:44pm

@daniel shiger Because we get arms from USA not China, example F-16

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US CENTCOM

May 13, 2014 06:08pm

Our officials from the highest level have been meeting regularly to enhance cooperation and communication between our nations. The U.S. Central Command General Lloyd J. Austin also visited Islamabad recently to discuss matters of mutual interest with special emphasis on regional security. We greatly value Pakistan

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Taimoor Khan

May 13, 2014 06:11pm

@saleem hatoum It is more or less a open secret that they carry Babur cruise missiles which gives Pakistan second strike capability.

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khanm

May 13, 2014 06:23pm

@Taimoor Khan.... You can run but you cannot hide....

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Ifti

May 13, 2014 06:32pm

Since when we have a Nuclear Sub ,what an un informed People are commenting on this Thread

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Syed Ahmed

May 13, 2014 06:33pm

What business the US chief of naval operations, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, has to visit the federal capital and meet the COAS and the CNS. Where is our worthy Defence Minister hiding.

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El Cid

May 13, 2014 06:40pm

@Taimoor Khan : Just doing a friendly inspection. Looking over what he owns. His 'people' are all over Pak. Making sure that his 'Moles' know that they are on his mind, be ready when he 'Calls'.

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Sonny Afridi

May 13, 2014 06:57pm

@Taimoor Khan we dont have nuclear submarines at least not yet; as for sea-launched second-strike nuclear missiles (babur) i highly doubt they were anywhere NEAR him. Either the missiles or the launchers.

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tasneer

May 13, 2014 06:58pm

@Taimoor Khan -> why is Pakistan letting Taliban kill innocent women and children as they wish as they will? is that not a security violation of the citizens of Pakistan? Explain that security breach you expert!

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zak

May 13, 2014 07:01pm

American Navy and western navies have all been impressed by the professionalism of its sailors considering its size. The Navy achieved a lot in 1965 and 1971 when it was not prepared for full scale war, it still stood its ground despite losses. Pakistan has had exercises with Iranian Navy, UAE Navy, Saudi Navy and China' s south east fleet exercise. Pakistan was commended in all. I guess they want to keep connected.

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Taimoor Khan

May 13, 2014 08:22pm

@tasneer what nonsense. If so called taliban terrorism is a security threat , so is the ingress of yanks inside Pakistan, more then often you will find both these threats intermingled. If you know what I mean.

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unbelievable

May 13, 2014 09:11pm

@Taimoor Khan Classic anti American blather ... long on emotion and short on facts. BTW in case you were not aware you submarine was built by France .. same France that is part of NATO and a close ally to the USA.

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Ayesha

May 13, 2014 11:44pm

Pakistan is very much capable of taking good care of its nuclear weapons, which ever they are. A visit from the US Navy official is no threat to us.

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guest

May 14, 2014 12:06am

@Taimoor Khan ...who did you think gave you 'strategic submarine technology' no military machinary is indigenously built by pakistan...are you speaking of self preservation instinct or is the ego that you're trying to built on quick sand.

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Taimoor khan

May 14, 2014 02:47am

@unbelievable Fact you said? Days ago we had that FBI spy loaded with weapons trying to board our civilian plan. What was that about? I would say to you, jog on.

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