WASHINGTON: The US Department of Defence said on Monday they were grateful that the Pakistan army chief was visiting the United States for consultations on bilateral issues.

Also, diplomatic sources told Dawn that a representative of the federal government is participating in all key meetings that the army chief holds in the US.

“We are grateful that COAS Raheel (Sharif) is taking time to hold consultations in person. The Secretary, the Deputy Secretary and the Chairman welcome the COAS and look forward to productive discussions related to our bilateral defence relationship,” a US defence official told Dawn.

Also read: General Raheel's US visit: What's on the table

At the Pentagon, the army chief will meet Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Gen Joseph Dunford and Centcom chief on Tuesday, the official added. He was meeting US Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley on Monday.

Gen Sharif will also meet CIA Director John Brennan later in the week.


A representative of federal government participating in all key meetings


A State Department official confirmed that the COAS would meet Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department later this week. Mr Kerry returns to Washington on Tuesday from a week-long visit to Turkey and Europe.

According to a report broadcast by the official Voice of America radio, Gen Sharif might also meet Vice President Joe Biden when he goes to the White House for a meeting with National Security Adviser Susan Rice.

Gen Sharif will also meet senior US lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

This confirms that the COAS will meet all key political, defence and security officials during his five-day stay in the US capital.

The list clearly contradicts an earlier Pentagon statement that Gen Sharif was visiting Washington “of his own volition” and that the Pentagon was arranging his meetings on his request.

Washington welcomes dozens of military chiefs every week and most of them return home without meeting the vice president or the secretary of state.

Diplomatic sources told Dawn that Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington, Jalil Abbas Jilani, would attend all key meetings.

“The participation of a civilian representative shows that civilian and military establishments are on the same page on all matters of national importance,” a senior diplomatic source said.

Ambassador Jilani, when contacted by Dawn, confirmed that he would be attending all key meetings at the State and Defence departments.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2015

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.