ISLAMABAD: The director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) called on the Pakistani army chief in Rawalpindi on Thursday and discussed the regional security situation with a focus on Afghanistan, the Pakistan army’s media wing said.
The visit by Willian J Burns comes two days after the Taliban announced an interim government made up mainly of ethnic Pashtun men including wanted terror suspects and hard-liners, dashing international hopes for a more moderate administration.
The Taliban’s new government has agreed to the Thursday evacuation of two hundred Americans and other foreigners who remain in Afghanistan. The departures will be among the first international flights to take off from Kabul airport since the militants seized the capital in mid-August, triggering the chaotic US-led evacuation of 124,000 foreigners and at-risk Afghans.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security situation and current situation in Afghanistan were discussed,” the army said. “It was reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to cooperate with its international partners for peace in the region and ensure a stable and prosperous future for Afghan people.”
The CIA director also appreciated Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, including its help in evacuation efforts and for regional stability and peace.
The Taliban’s announcement of a new government on Tuesday was widely seen as a signal the group was not looking to broaden their base and present a more tolerant face to the world, as they had suggested they would do before their military takeover.
Foreign countries greeted the interim government with caution and dismay on Wednesday. In Kabul, dozens of women took to the streets in protest.
Many critics called on the leadership to respect basic human rights and revive the economy, which faces collapse amid steep inflation, food shortages and the prospect of foreign aid being slashed as countries seek to isolate the Taliban.
CIA director in Pakistan for talks on Afghanistan
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CIA director in Pakistan for talks on Afghanistan
- Visit by Willian J Burns comes two days after Taliban announced interim government made up mainly of ethnic Pashtun men
- CIA director appreciates Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan, including help in evacuation efforts and for regional stability and peace
Pakistan air chief meets Indonesian president, pushes training and defense cooperation
- PAF has been promoting combat-tested credentials after last year’s standoff with India
- Indonesian officials seek support in strengthening professional and flying training
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s air chief, Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, met Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta to discuss expanded cooperation in professional training and defense production, according to a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) statement issued on Friday.
The visit comes as Pakistan’s military highlights its operational experience and aerospace capabilities following a four-day conflict with India in May last year, in which Islamabad claimed victory after saying the PAF shot down at least six Indian fighter aircraft, including the French-made Rafale.
New Delhi acknowledged weeks later it had suffered some losses but did not specify a number.
“Upon his arrival, the Air Chief was received by the Indonesian President at the Presidential Complex in Jakarta,” the PAF said, adding that Sidhu “expressed his unwavering commitment to enhance the existing bilateral ties in Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation with Indonesia, especially in the fields of training, Air Defense and defense production.”
During the air chief’s meetings with Indonesian military officials, the two sides discussed joint training initiatives from basic to advanced levels, professional exchange programs and collaboration in aerospace domains, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, cyber, space and unmanned systems.
Indonesia’s air chief expressed interest in drawing on the operational experience of PAF pilots and sought support in strengthening professional and flying training, the statement said.
Pakistan’s air force has promoted its JF-17 fighter jet since the conflict with India, pitching it as a combat-tested aircraft. The PAF has also highlighted its multi-domain capabilities and offered to train counterparts in other countries, citing lessons from recent operations.
The Indonesian leadership praised the PAF’s progress in aerospace research, design and technological development, according to the statement, and expressed interest in leveraging Pakistan’s training ecosystem and aerospace infrastructure.
At the conclusion of his meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Sidhu was awarded the Medal of Honour, the service’s highest military award, in recognition of efforts to strengthen bilateral air power collaboration.
