Civil, military leaders vow to team up for prosperous, secure Pakistan

RAWALPINDI: The civilian-military leadership Friday reiterated their commitment to upholding the national interests and working together for a prosperous and secure Pakistan.

Shehbaz visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) accompanied by the key members of his cabinet and assured the military that the government would provide all the resources required for ensuring operational readiness of the armed forces.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir received him. He was presented a guard of honour. Shehbaz laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and paid tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs.

The prime minister and cabinet members engaged in discussions with the military leadership on matters of national security, regional stability and military preparedness, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The civilian leaders were briefed on the current security environment, threat spectrum, response to the security threats and ongoing counterterrorism operations.

The prime minister and cabinet members appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, and sacrifices of the army in the war against terrorism and commended its dedication in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring peace and stability.

The meeting concluded with the civilian and military leadership reiterating their commitment to upholding the national interests and working together for a prosperous and secure Pakistan.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Donald Blome Friday met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and expressed his country’s support for democracy and the key role of an independent press.

Blome discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including partnering with the Government of Pakistan on regional security, US support for continued economic reforms with and through the IMF, trade and investment, education, climate change, and private sector-led economic growth, Acting US Mission spokesperson Thomas Montgomery said in a statement after the meeting.

The ambassador and prime minister also discussed how both countries could work together to accelerate projects addressing climate change under the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, the statement said.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the PM media wing said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif forcefully raised the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and situation in Gaza during the meeting.

“A number of issues of bilateral and regional significance were also discussed during the meeting, including the situation in Gaza and the Red Sea, developments in Afghanistan, as well as the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, which was raised forcefully by the prime minister,” the statement said.

Congratulating the prime minister on his re-election, Blome said the US considered Pakistan an important partner and hoped to work with the government to build stronger ties between the two countries.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the present state of bilateral relations. He emphasized the need to maintain the positive momentum by regularly convening the existing dialogue mechanisms, focused on trade, investment, energy, health, defence, education, agriculture and climate change.

The prime minister said his government would focus on macro-economic reforms to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investment.

In this regard, he also highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that has been established to fast-track foreign investments in priority sectors in Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Donald Blome Friday met with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and expressed his country’s support for democracy and the key role of an independent press.

Blome discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including partnering with the Government of Pakistan on regional security, US support for continued economic reforms with and through the IMF, trade and investment, education, climate change, and private sector-led economic growth, Acting US Mission spokesperson Thomas Montgomery said in a statement after the meeting. The ambassador and prime minister also discussed how both countries could work together to accelerate projects addressing climate change under the US-Pakistan Green Alliance framework, the statement said.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the PM media wing said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif forcefully raised the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and situation in Gaza during the meeting.

“A number of issues of bilateral and regional significance were also discussed during the meeting, including the situation in Gaza and the Red Sea, developments in Afghanistan, as well as the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, which was raised forcefully by the prime minister,” the statement said.

Congratulating the prime minister on his re-election, Blome said the US considered Pakistan an important partner and hoped to work with the government to build stronger ties between the two countries.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the present state of bilateral relations. He emphasized the need to maintain the positive momentum by regularly convening the existing dialogue mechanisms, focused on trade, investment, energy, health, defence, education, agriculture and climate change.

The prime minister said his government would focus on macro-economic reforms to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investment.

In this regard, he also highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that has been established to fast-track foreign investments in priority sectors in Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present on the occasion.