LONDON: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Asim Munir is set to end his visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday, after several days of engagements with civil and military leaders in the country.

Gen Munir’s official visit marked his attendance at the 7th Regional Stabilisation Conference at the Royal Military Academy, Sandh­urst, where he delivered the keynote address on “The Emerging World Order and Pakistan’s Future Outlook.”

A source familiar with Gen Munir’s visit said the army chief had a successful trip with positive outcomes at a time when the UK is accelerating efforts to strengthen its alliances after the election of Donald Trump.

To a question about whether any discussion about incarcerated PTI chief Imran Khan came up, the source said that “there was not even an indirect mention but rather the UK officials appreciated the sacrifice being made by Pakistan and recognised the digital battle space that has started affecting Europe and South Asia”.

Attends conference at Sandhurst; insiders say APS graduates may be eligible for discounted tuition at UK varsities

The Regional Stabilisation Conf­e­rence is an annual platform that facilitates army-to-army dialogue between Pakistan and the UK, with participation from civil and mili­tary policymakers as well as key think-tanks from both countries.

Upon his arrival, Gen Munir received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the historic Royal Horse Guards Parade Ground, where a formally attired contingent welcomed him with full military decorum.

As part of his visit, Gen Munir engaged with top UK officials, including Admiral Toney Radikin, Chief of Defence Staff of UK, General Sir Roland Walker, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, and Jonathan Nicholas Powell, the UK National Security Adv­i­ser. Additionally, he met Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss shared security challenges and the importance of enhanced collaboration between the two nations.

As part of his itinerary, the army chief will also visit key British Army units, including the Land War­fare Centre and the 1st Strike Brig­ade, where he will receive briefings on the UK Army’s modernisation and operational strategies.

The source said that the visit was historic as it was meaningful and result-oriented, adding that the UK has offered to enter a joint venture with Pakistan’s defence industries, including Pakistan Ordina­nce Factories, Heavy Industries Taxila, and maritime cooperation in shipbuilding, command and surveillance equipment, subsystem assemblies, and system integration.

Additionally, the source said it’s the first time that UK forces are showcasing their niche capabilities in both the technical and doctrinal domains to Pakistan’s COAS.

“They are demonstrating their most sophisticated gadgetry for land forces, cyber operations, surveillance equipment, and long-range capabilities.”

The results include the “initiation of 35 projects related to military engagement, social collaboration, and diaspora outreach”, including a possible commitment that graduates from army public schools in Pakistan may be eligible for a 30pc discount in the tuition fees of mainstream UK universities, with 40pc off fees for martyrs’ families.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2025