Afghan instability has telling effects on region, says COAS

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, on Tuesday said the perpetual instability in Afghanistan had telling effects on the region.
Addressing the participants of Asia Security Conference in Munich, Germany, held to discuss regional peace and security, the army chief stressed on all stakeholders to revive reconciliation, and said despite hurdles, peace and reconciliation were of vital importance for a larger settlement in Afghanistan.
According to tweets of Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Asim Bajwa on the social media, the COAS highlighted instability within and without had deeply affected the socio-economic climate in Pakistan.
He said the current approaches to restore stability within Pakistan had opened up economic opportunities for the country and the region. He said practical steps were required to manage the Pak-Afghan borders for gainful conclusion of the military operation Zarb-e-Azb.
General Raheel said a peaceful Afghanistan could open regional connectivity. He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) benefits could be shared. He said it was essential for socio-economic development of Pakistan to address the menace of extremism.
General Raheel’s visit to Germany comes a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Merkel appreciated the progress made by Pakistan in its efforts to counter terrorism and acknowledged the nation’s contribution towards regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, the COAS arrived in the UK on a three-day official visit.
General Raheel was received at the airport by top British military command and officials from the UK government. The army chief is expected to hold meetings on security and a huge importance is being attached to this visit.