ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani top general met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the country’s senior civil and defense leadership on Thursday to discuss regional situation, military and counterterrorism cooperation, the Pakistani military’s media wing said. 

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, who is Pakistan’s chairman joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC), is in Egypt for the third round of defense and security talks between the two countries. During the visit, he met senior Egyptian officials such as El-Sisi, General Abdel Mageed Ahmed Abdel Mageed Saqr, minister of defense and military production and commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Admiral Osama Mounier Mohamed Rabie. 

He also met the chairman and managing director of the Suez Canal Authority, as well as Professor Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, the grand imam of the Al-Azhar institute, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, said. 

“Discussions focused on bilateral military cooperation, security, counterterrorism and prevailing regional situation,” the ISPR said. “Dignitaries from both sides emphasized upon the shared interest in further strengthening and expanding existing military-to-military relationship in the domains of training, joint military exercises and defense cooperation.”

Speaking to El-Tayeb, Mirza highlighted the importance of religious and inter-faith harmony to promote tolerance, inclusivity and address the underlying causes of “terrorism,” the military’s media wing said. 

“Egyptian dignitaries lauded the professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism,” the ISPR said. 

Mirza was presented a guard of honor by an Egyptian Armed Forces contingent upon his arrival at the Ministry of Defense, the military’s media wing said. 

Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to facilitate businessmen with visas, exchange trade-related information and promote private-sector contacts.

Earlier this month, senior officials of Pakistan and Egypt discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in agriculture, food security and farming, with Islamabad expressing interest in learning from Cairo’s successful experiences in these areas.