COAS, US Deputy Secretary of State discuss matters related to security challenges

They agreed that durable peace in Afghanistan is critical for stability in the region.

Pakistan PM’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, PM’s Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary were also present at the meeting.

NSA Ajit Doval held talks with his Pakistan counterpart Lt Gen Nasir Khan Janjua breaking the ice between the two countries and discussed a host of issues, including peace and security, and Jammu and Kashmir.

The deputy secretary also commended Pakistan for its vision to significantly increase the number of PhD students studying in the United States and welcomed the Pakistan Higher Education Commission’s new contribution to the Fulbright Programme and increased faculty development. Blinken, meanwhile, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and development.

The interior minister during his remarks expressed his condolences over the loss of lives, as a result of recent incident of California shootings and said that the whole world was saddened by this unfortunate incident carried out by two individuals.

He observed that there is a need to exercise restraint by the leaders in making public statements and avoid utterance that could potentially hurt the sentiments of any religious community.

Britain has assured Pakistan that London would extend all kind of support to Islamabad for peace and achieving mutual interests.

The prospect of such a conflict, he said, was “one of the reasons why it is so important – in our judgment – that India and Pakistan find ways to communicate, to reduce tensions, and ultimately to find a more cooperative relationship”.

Ch Nisar called for enhancing people-to-people contacts including exchange of parliamentary delegations, civil-military personnel and media-persons for further strengthening bilateral relations at all levels.