-Army Chief holds meeting with AJK Premier
-Discusses security cooperationwith Afghan Envoy
-Exchanges views on Polio, COVID with Bill Gates on phone
By Our Defence Correspondent
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa reiterated on Thursday Pakistan Army’s utmost support and commitment to the Kashmir cause and the people of the disputed region.
He was talking to AJK Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider who called on him in Rawalpindi.
They discussed matters of mutual interest particularly situation on the Line of Control (LoC) and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), according to the ISPR.
On November 04, COAS Bajwa had got a briefing on the prevailing situation along the Line of Control (LoC) during a visit to the Headquarters Rawalpindi Corps. He appreciated the resilience of the Kashmiri population being deliberately targeted by the Indian Army on both sides of the LOC. “Pakistan Army shall continue to ensure the protection and security of people along the Line of Control,” the ISPR quoted COAS as saying. Meanwhile COAS met the Afghan ambassador Najibullah Alikhil to discuss defence and security cooperation, among other issues. “The army chief welcomed the Afghanistan ambassador and expressed the hope that his services will help optimize Pakistan- Afghanistan bilateral relations,” said a statement by the ISPR. “Regional security situation, the ongoing Afghan Peace Process, border management and defence and security cooperation were discussed [during the meeting as well],” read the ISPR statement.Meanwhile,Late Thursday, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Spoke about Pakistan’s COVID-19 response and resumption of polio vaccination campaigns.
Mr Gates conveyed his appreciation for Pakistan Army for supporting national polio drive and ensuring proper reach and coverage of polio campaigns this year, particularly through involvement of community leaders and influencers. COAS said that it was national cause and national effort. He said that we will call it a success when no child is affected in Pakistan. Credit goes to the grassroots workers including the mobile teams, Law Enforcement Agencies and health representatives. Both also discussed the safe start and efforts needed to effectively conduct polio campaigns in COVID environment. Mr Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in managing the pandemic despite the current rise in COVID-19 cases and efforts to safely conduct polio immunization campaigns and essential immunizations that have continued amid the pandemic. Both also pledged to continue working together to make further progress in ending polio in Pakistan and improving the health of all children.
