Pakistan Army Chief meets CIA head

Pakistan’s Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has met CIA director John Brennan, discussing key issues like re-initiating the fragile Afghan peace process and security challenges facing the region.

Gen. Sharif, who arrived here Sunday night on a five-day trip, visited Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Headquarters and met Mr Brennan Monday.

Regional security challenges and way forward was discussed during the meeting, Pakistan military’s Inter-Services Public Relations wing said in a statement.

Gen. Sharif met Mr Brennan and specifically highlighted the need for permanent stability and requirement of conducive environment in the region for re-initiating Afghan-owned and led reconciliation process, ISPR director Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa said.

Gen. Sharif acknowledged the accomplishments of operation Zarb-e-Azb in Pakistan’s northwest tribal region, its positive impact on security calculus and appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for reconciliation and discussed opportunities presented for future of an enduring regional peace, he said in a series of tweets. Significantly, Gen. Sharif is visiting the US on his own as there was no official invitation either from his American counterpart or the Pentagon.

Gen. Sharif, during his visit, will also meet vice-president Joe Biden.

Other meetings that he will have during his stay in Washington include with secretary of state John Kerry, defence secretary Ashton Carter, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley besides influential US legislators.