ISLAMABAD: A six-member delegation of the US army’s central command led by Lt Gen Michael Garrett, during its three-day visit to Pakistan this week, held meetings with different officers and was briefed on Pakistan’s efforts to train soldiers to fight terrorist groups.

“It was my distinct honour to visit Pakistan,” said Lt Gen Garrett after visiting the National Counter Terro­rism Training Centre at Pabbi. The director of the centre gave a briefing to the visitors.

“This visit is significant in continuing to build the relationship between our two militaries and countries, one of our key partnerships in the region,” said Lt Gen Garrett.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, during his first visit to Pakistan, Lt Gen Garrett and members of his delegation met the Pakistan Army’s chief of general staff, the director general of military training and the director general of military operations at the General Headquarters.

Lt Gen Garrett also called on the director general of joint staff and director general of joint warfare and training to discuss operations, training, and other areas of military cooperation between the US and Pakistan.

The US army central command engages with Pakistan’s military leadership and organisations, primarily through military-to-military information exchanges, regional symposia and multilateral and bilateral exercises. These events allow the two countries to build ties necessary to advance counterterrorism efforts in the region.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2017