Pakistan, US 'intend to increase interaction' as Pakistani army chief visits Washington

ISLAMABAD

Pakistan and the US “intend to increase interactions” for "mutually beneficial" engagements, an official statement said Friday.

The statement comes as Pakistan’s military chief Gen. Asim Munir is on a weeklong trip to Washington.

Munir met senior US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, US Forces Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q Brown, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer, said the statement issued by Pakistan military’s media wing.

It added the two sides discussed the ongoing conflicts in the region and "agreed to increase interactions between Islamabad and Washington."

"Matters of bilateral interests, global and regional security issues, and ongoing conflicts were discussed during the meetings. Both sides agreed to continue engagement for exploring potential avenues of bilateral collaboration in pursuit of shared interests," said the statement.

During a meeting between the defense officials of the two sides, "counter-terrorism cooperation and defense collaboration were identified as core areas of cooperation."

The top Pakistani general underscored the importance of "understanding each other’s perspectives" on regional security issues and developments affecting strategic stability in South Asia.

He highlighted the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, according to the statement.

Munir's trip to Washington comes at a time when tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have grown following repeated militant attacks on Pakistani security forces in border areas with Afghanistan.

Early Friday, at least four policemen and five suspected terrorists were killed in two separate attacks in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including a suicide bombing in the Tank district.

This was the second suicide bombing this week in southern parts of the province.

According to the Pakistani army, five terrorists, including a suicide bomber, attempted to attack the Police Lines in Tank City, however, brave policemen offered stiff resistance and killed all five terrorists.

Early this week, at least 31 Pakistani security personnel were killed in three separate militant attacks.