Washington (Web Desk): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that the armed forces have distanced themselves from the politics and want to stay out of it in the future as well.
The army chief said this during an informal talk at a luncheon at Pakistani embassy in Washington on Tuesday.
The COAS said that the effective diplomacy is only possible through strong economy.
"Reviving the country’s ailing economy should be the first priority of all segments of society," the COAS said, adding that without a strong economy the nation would not be able to achieve its targets.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa also reiterated his resolve to leave after the completion of his term as the army chief this November.
Meanwhile, COAS Gen Bajwa who is on a visit to the United States, called on Secretary of Defence General Lloyd James Austin III (retd), National Security Adviser Jacob Jeremiah Sullivan, and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Ruth Sherman during his visit to the United States.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), matters of mutual of interest, regional security situation and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed during the meetings.
Gen Bajwa thanked the US officials for their support and reiterated that assistance from “our global partners would be vital for the rescue and rehabilitation of the flood victims in Pakistan,” the military’s media wing said.
Both the sides noted that Pakistan and the US had a long history of bilateral cooperation and that both countries shall continue improving the economic, trade and investment ties.
The COAS offered heartfelt condolence on the deaths and devastation caused by hurricane in Florida, the ISPR said,
"Pakistan fully understood the loss and pain of victims’ families as it was suffering from similar effects of climate change," the statement added.
Both sides had convergence on major international issues including Afghanistan and need for cooperation to avoid humanitarian crisis and improving peace and stability in the region, the ISPR said.
COAS General Bajwa held these scheduled meetings with senior officials of the Biden administration as he began the second leg of his US visit on Monday.
The army chief arrived in the US on September 30 and met with the UN officials in New York.
