ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Friday Afghanistan’s peace and prosperity were imperative for greater stability in the region during a meeting with the Chinese envoy and Beijing’s incoming military attaché to Pakistan in Rawalpindi, said the military’s media wing in a statement.
Pakistan and China have been closely working to stabilize Afghanistan since the withdrawal of international forces in August.
As the new administration in Kabul tries to prevent an economic meltdown, Afghanistan’s neighbors have expressed fears of another refugee influx in the region.
Pakistan has also maintained Afghanistan can become a safe haven for transnational militant networks once again, if the world refuses to help the Taliban deal with emerging challenges in the war-battered state by engaging with them.
“During the meeting [between General Bajwa and Chinese officials], matters of mutual interest, regional security situation, including Afghan Peace Process and measures to further enhance bilateral cooperation were discussed,” the official statement said, adding that the army chief “reiterated the need for convergence of efforts toward a peaceful & prosperous Afghanistan in pursuit of regional stability.”
Pakistan and China have a strong defense cooperation and the two countries are also striving for greater regional connectivity.
According to the official statement, the visiting Chinese officials thanked the army chief for taking special measures to provide safe and secure environment to their fellow citizens working on various infrastructure projects under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
