KARACHI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Germany.

The army chief, who is on an official visit to Germany, said this during his meeting with German Minister for Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations news release, Gen Bajwa expressed the desire for enhanced mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

Markus Potzel, Special Representative of the German Government for Afghanistan and Pakistan, was also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, overall regional security situation including latest developments in Afghan peace process and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed.

The German dignitaries acknowledged Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to enhance relations between both countries.

Later, the COAS visited the Command & Staff College of Germany, where he addressed students and faculty members.

Sharing his views on ‘Pakistan’s regional and internal security perspective’, the army chief apprised the audience of external and internal security challenges faced by Pakistan and measures taken to mitigate the threats.

He said that future of enduring peace and stability in world hinged on the ability to resolve long pending issues within the region. This can only be complemented through meaningful international support to take on the challenging regional issues. Focusing on Covid-19 pandemic, the COAS said that Pakistan’s government along with other state institutions was doing its best to counter the challenges faced by the country.

Earlier on arrival at the Command and Staff College, the army chief was received by Maj Gen Oliver Kohl, Commandant, Bundeswehr Command and Staff College, Hamburg, Germany.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2021