Gen Munir expressed appreciation for the positive role played by the Pakistani diaspora for the country’s progress and development
Gen Asim Munir Meets US Officials in Washington
By Elaine Pasquini
Washington: On December12, 2023, Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asim Munir made his first visit to the United States since assuming his position as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in November 2022. During his trip he called on key US government and military officials including Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, Secretary of Defense Gen Lloyd J Austin (Ret), Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Charles Q Brown.
During the meetings, discussions were held on matters of bilateral interests, global and regional security issues, and ongoing conflicts. Both sides agreed to continue engagement for exploring potential avenues of bilateral collaboration in pursuit of shared interests.
In meetings with defense officials, counterterrorism cooperation and defense collaboration were identified as core areas of working together. Both sides reiterated their intent to increase interaction and explore ways to expand the scope of mutually beneficial engagements.
COAS Munir underscored the importance of understanding perspectives of both sides on regional security issues and developments affecting strategic stability in South Asia. In this context, Munir especially highlighted the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. “Kashmir is an internationally accepted dispute, and no unilateral action can alter the nature of this dispute against the wishes of millions of people of the area,” he said.
At a reception hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan, Gen Munir welcomed members of the Pakistani overseas community and expressed his appreciation of the positive role being played by the Pakistani diaspora towards the country’s progress and development and encouraged them to invest through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) which is already yielding success in various dimensions. The SIFC acts as a single window to facilitate investors, establish cooperation between all government ministries, departments and fast-track project development. The core objectives of the SIFC include revitalization of Pakistan’s economy, integrating it with international capital markets and providing ease of doing business for foreign investors.
The Army Chief highlighted that the United States is the largest export market for Pakistan constituting 21.5 percent of the country’s total exports and dispelled rumors about special screening, denial of visas and detentions.
Gen Munir met Pakistani businessman, investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tanweer Ahmed who had donated $9 million for the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in the field of IT development in Pakistan. NUST is a multi-campus public research university with its main campus in Islamabad. COAS Munir praised Ahmed’s contributions, saying that Pakistan is proud of heroes like him.
“Pakistani diaspora anywhere around the world is held in high regard as they are ambassadors of Pakistan and contribute significantly to Pakistan in varying domains,” he said.
Members of the Pakistani community expressed their pride in the role and contributions of the Pakistan Army towards the well-being of the country. Gen Munir extended his good wishes to the entire Pakistani community for their efforts.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
