Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff (CJCS), United States called on Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, today.

Admiral Mullen lauded the sacrifices and efforts of People of Pakistan and its security forces and reassured that security ties will not be allowed to unravel between the two armed forces. The COAS and CJCS acknowledged that evolving Pak-US strategic relation was important for the achievement of mutual long term objectives of comprehensive security of both the countries. Both of them underscored the centrality of reciprocal respect towards each other’s sovereignty, upholding of universal principle of value of human life and above all the long sought after goal of addressing the trust deficit between the institutions as well as the people on both the sides.

The COAS reinforced Government’s stance on drone strikes and emphasized that these not only undermine our national effort against terrorism but turn public support against our efforts, which remains the key to success. The COAS highlighted that Pakistan Army’s ongoing operations are a testimony of our national resolve to defeat terrorism. He strongly rejected negative propaganda of Pakistan not doing enough and Pakistan Army’s lack of clarity on the way forward.

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