ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday visited the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters for getting his intel-brief on ‘regional security situation’.

The prime minister was accompanied by key members of his cabinet, including Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

On the military side, all services chiefs were present — Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar.

PM Khan has in the past as well visited the ISI headquarters on important occasions for getting intel briefs.

Key cabinet members, services chiefs attend the briefing

“A comprehensive briefing was given to the national and military leadership on the regional and national security situation,” a brief statement by the PMO said, adding that Mr Khan appreciated “the diligent efforts” of the ISI for national security and expressed satisfaction over professional preparedness.

The meeting, observers believe, took place in the backdrop of developments in Afghanistan.

The meeting also deliberated on the Covid-19 situation in the country, according to one source.

Director General ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed welcomed the prime minister and other dignitaries on the arrival.

Besides, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong called on Prime Minister Khan for a discussion on Pakistan-China bilateral relations, including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, vaccine cooperation, and high-level bilateral exchanges.

The Chinese ambassador extended President Xi Jinping’s invitation to the prime minister to participate in the ‘CPC and World Political Parties Summit’, to be held in July 2021.

Mr Khan accepted the invitation to attend the virtual event.

Amb Nong reassured the prime minister that China would continue to firmly support Pakistan in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and it accords high priority to help address Pakistan’s requirements.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2021