Pakistan army chief discusses 'security related' issues with John Kerry

Washington: Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Thursday met US Secretary of State John Kerry, which was centered on "security-related" issues and Afghanistan peace talks.

"Secretary Kerry met with Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif to follow up on some of the security-related conversations that he had with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in October," a State Department spokesperson said.

"Gen Sharif's consultations in Washington are part of our regular, ongoing bilateral discussions with a broad range of Pakistani officials, and we appreciate the productive discussions we had regarding our bilateral defense and security relationship," the spokesperson said.

The State Department did not say the specific issues that were discussed during the meeting.

However in a series of tweets, Pakistan army spokesman Lieutenant-General Asim Bajwa said that Gen Sharif "highlighted need for resolution of Kashmir."

Regional security including Afghanistan, India was discussed during the meeting, Mr Bajwa said, referring to the issues discussed in the meeting wherein the two leaders felt the need and measures for regional stability.

Gen Sharif highlighted Pakistan's perspective on regional security and supported Afghanistan-owned reconciliation process, the challenges and the way forward, Mr Bajwa said.

Gen Sharif reiterated Pakistan's desire to solidify US-Pak relations based on mutual interest and respect, he added.

During the meeting, Mr Kerry reaffirmed his commitment to the US-Pakistan partnership, and its importance in addressing issues of mutual concern and ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity across the region.

Richard Olson, the new Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who began his tenure a day earlier, also attended the Kerry-Sharif meeting.

Significantly, Gen Sharif is visiting the US on his own as there was no official invitation either from his American counterpart or the Pentagon.

Earlier, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter pressed Gen Sharif to act against groups like the Haqqani Network that threaten America and its forces operating in Afghanistan.

During his meeting with Gen Sharif, Mr Carter had raised concern over terrorists operating from Pakistan's soil.

Earlier, India had said that "Pakistan's continued support for terror groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir is the main challenge to protecting the human rights of our citizens in the State."

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