-NATO’s senior civil representative meets COAS at GHQ to discuss Afghanistan, other issues -NATO thanks Pakistan for evacuation endeavours in Afghanistan
-Int’l community asked to remain positively engaged with Afghanistan
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
RAWALPINDI: NATO Senior Civil Representative Stefano Pontecorvo on Wednesday called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss issues related to mutual concerns, particularly the situation in Afghanistan.
The meeting took place at GHQ, Rawalpindi, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). During the meeting, matters related to mutual interest, peace, and stability in the region and Afghanistan were discussed. The army chief said that there was a need for global convergence on the Afghan issue to avoid a humanitarian crisis in the country after the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban.
The visiting NATO dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, including the successful evacuation operations and efforts for regional stability.
He also assured to enhance cooperation with Pakistan on Afghanistan and regular engagement by NATO countries on all bilateral issues. On Monday, the army chief and the US envoy, Angela Aggeler, discussed matters of mutual interest, including the current security situation in Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation in various fields.
Earlier, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Sohail Mahmood, on Wednesday received a delegation of NATO led by Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo.
Per a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the foreign secretary shared Pakistan’s perspective on the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. The foreign secretary also highlighted Pakistan’s facilitative role in the evacuation of the diplomatic personnel and staff of the embassies and international organisations from Afghanistan.
He also underlined that the international community must remain positively engaged with Afghanistan to avoid humanitarian crises and preclude mass exodus from Afghanistan.
Ambassador Pontecorvo thanked the Government of Pakistan for the assistance extended to the NATO allies in their evacuation endeavours.
The visit of the NATO delegation is part of the outreach to Pakistan. Pakistan values its relations with NATO, which are based on shared interests of peace and stability in the region, the statement said.
