Islamabad:
Pakistan hosted the Regional Chiefs of Defense Staff Conference on Saturday and gathered senior military leaders from the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadsjikistan and Uzbekistan in what is being hailed as a significant step towards strengthening regional security cooperation and military diplomacy.
Organized under the theme “Strengthening Bonds, Securing Peace”, the high profiled collection aimed at strengthening security cooperation, improving joint education initiatives and sharing best practices in terrorism and other defense-related areas, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Chief of Army Staff (Coas) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir formally welcomed the delegations and repeated Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability.
“In an era defined by transnational threats and complex hybrid challenges, deeper military-to-military cooperation, strategic dialogue and mutual trust are imperative. Pakistan remains obliged to work with partner countries on a safe and prosperous region,” Coas noted.
The participating defense managers held detailed discussions on regional security dynamics, collaboration on the fight against terrorism, developing strategic trends in Central and South Asia and coordinated humanitarian reactions during crises.
The delegates also expressed a shared decision to maintain peace, respect national sovereignty, and confront ordinary threats, including terrorism, cyber insecurity and violent extremism.
Participants praised Pakistan’s leadership and hospitality and denote the conference an important step in promoting inclusive and forward -looking defense diplomacy.
The event emphasized Pakistan’s continued role as a key player in the design of a safe, interconnected and cooperative regional security environment, rooted in mutual interests and regional solidarity.
The development is seen as another sign of the rising profile of Pakistan both on the regional and international fronts.
Observers believe that Pakistan seems to play short well, as it currently has commitment with all great powers and other regional players.
The Army Chief was in Beijing earlier this week, where he held a series of meetings with the top Chinese civilian and military leadership. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Friday, highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic success.
Secretary Rubio appreciated Pakistan’s continued efforts to seek a mediation between the United States and Iran, while also paid tribute to Islamabad to preserve regional stability.
Foreign Minister Dar later said that Pakistan would play a role as a bridge between the United States and China. He remembered that in the past, Pakistan brought these two forces close to and was ready to play this role again.
