Pakistan and US discuss regional security challenges

WASHINGTON: Pakistan's army chief General Raheel Sharif has met CIA Director John Brennan, discussing key issues like re-initiating the fragile Afghan peace process and security challenges facing the region.

Raheel, who arrived here Sunday night on a five-day trip, visited Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Headquarters and met Brennan yesterday.

Regional security challenges and way forward was discussed during the meeting, Pakistan military's Inter-Services Public Relations wing said in a statement.

Raheel met Brennan and specifically highlighted the need for permanent stability and requirement of conducive environment in the region for re-initiating Afghan-owned and led reconciliation process, ISPR Director Lt General Asim Bajwa said.

Raheel acknowledged the accomplishments of operation Zarb-e-Azb in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, its positive impact on security calculus and appreciated Pakistan's efforts for reconciliation and discussed opportunities presented for future of an enduring regional peace, he said in a series of tweets.

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

Raheel, during his visit, would also meet Vice President Joe Biden. Other meetings that he would have during his stay in Washington include with Secretary of State John Kerry, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Joseph Dunford, Army Chief of Staff Gen Mark Milley besides influential US lawmakers.

While Afghanistan is expected to be one of the major issues of discussion along with the supply of latest arms and military hardware to Pakistan, India too is expected to figure in the talks, Bajwa had said ahead of Raheel's visit.