ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa and top US commander in Afghanistan Gen John Nicholson agreed on Monday on the need for remaining engaged.

A statement issued by the military’s public affairs division after a meeting of the two commanders at the General Headquarters, which was also attended by US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale, said: “Both agreed on need for continuous engagement and coordination for peace and stability in the region.”

Gen Nicholson, in his capacity as commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, is a regular visitor to GHQ for discussing coordination issues, especially those related to border management. His latest visit came ahead of the completion of the Afghan policy review by the Trump administration. It is apprehended that the new policy would wield more sticks vis-à-vis Pakistan.

Therefore, a source indicated that the two commanders deliberated on the possible contours of the new policy and Pakistan’s apprehensions.

While the new policy is being nervously awaited in Islamabad, the latest counterterrorism report by the State Department and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis’ determination that Pakistan had not taken “sufficient action” against the Haqqani network and alleged Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan have made the thinking in the White House clear.

Following the defence secretary’s determination Pentagon has decided to withhold $50 million out of the ‘Coalition Support Fund’ reimbursement.

These issues were taken up by Gen Bajwa during the meeting, although the press statement mentioned his concerns in the context of public blame game against Pakistan.

“COAS raised concern over the blame game perpetrated by some quarters in Afghanistan and USA to undermine Pakistan’s contributions towards war on terror. He said that it is not a coincidence that this theme is being played at a time when policy review is being undertaken in USA,” the ISPR said.

Gen Bajwa told the US commander that “despite provocations, Pakistan will continue to act positively as we consider defeat of terrorism as a national interest”.

Army, which was already busy fencing the border with Afghanistan for blocking unauthorised movement, recently started Operation Khyber-IV to clear terrorist sanctuaries in Rajgal Valley and prevent cross-border movement of terrorists.

Pakistan military and government have, meanwhile, reiterated resolve for supporting an Afghan-led reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2017