CANBERRA: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa held meetings with representatives from the Australian civil and military leadership on Wednesday.

Gen Bajwa is currently in Australia on an official visit and has held talks with the Senate’s committee for foreign and defence affairs headed by Senator David Fawcett, Australian Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin who was accompanied by Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty and Air Chief Air Marshal Gavin Davies.

The COAS visited the joint operations and planning headquarters and Force Command Headquarters. He also visited the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Office of National Assessment both of which advise the Australian government on a myriad policy issues.

Both civil and military leadership appreciated Pakistan’s contributions and achievements in the war against terror and acknowledged sacrifices made by the Pakistani nation and its army.

The army chief said that he was extremely humbled by the Australian goodwill for Pakistan and their desire to enhance bilateral relations. He added that enhanced defence ties between the two countries could act as the impetus for broader bilateral cooperation in the future particularly in the fields of education, trade and investment in regional connectivity.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2017