Shall support all initiatives which bring peace in region, COAS tells US defence secretary

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said that Pakistan would like situation to de-escalate and shall support all initiatives which bring peace in the region. COAS Bajwa stated while received telephone call from US Secretary of Defence Mr Dr Mark T Esper, said Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR) Director General (DG) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor in his tweet. During the telephonic conversations, both the leaders discussed ongoing security situation in the Middle East. The US defence secretary expressed that US doesn’t want to seek conflict, but will respond forcefully if necessary.

COAS received telephone call from US Secretary of Defence Mr Dr. Mark T. Esper. Both discussed ongoing security situation in the Middle East.The Secretary expressed that US doesn’t want to seek conflict, but will respond forcefully if necessary. (1/3).

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) January 8, 2020

“We would like situation to de-escalate and shall support all initiatives which bring peace in the region. We call upon all concerned to avoid rhetoric in favour of diplomatic engagement. We all have worked a lot to bring peace in the region by fighting against terrorism,” the army chief mentioned.

“We would like situation to de-escalate & shall support all initiatives which bring peace in the region.We call upon all concerned to avoid rhetoric in favour of diplomatic engagement. We all have worked a lot to bring peace in the region by fighting against terrorism”,COAS.(2/3)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) January 8, 2020

“We will continue to play our constructive part towards success of Afghan reconciliation process so that it doesn’t get derailed and region goes towards conflict resolution instead of new conflicts,” Gen Bajwa maintained.

“We will continue to play our constructive part towards success of Afghan reconciliation process so that it doesn’t get derailed and region goes towards conflict resolution instead of new conflicts”, COAS.(3/3).

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) January 8, 2020

Earlier, the ISPR DG has reiterated that Pakistan would not allow use of its soil against anyone. During an interview with private TV channel, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan believes that any tension in the region is against peace efforts. Giving message on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa, Asif Ghafoor said, “We will not allow our soil to be used against anyone.” “Pakistan will not be party to anyone or anything but will be a partner of peace and peace alone,” he mentioned as quoting the premier. To a question about the killing of top Iran’s military commander Qasem Soleimani in a US strike, the DG ISPR mentioned that the regional situation had been altered. Asif Ghafoor said, during a call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, COAS Bajwa had stressed the need for maximum restraint and constructive engagement following the killing of Soleimani. “Gen Bajwa said the escalation in region should be decreased, don’t try to spoil the efforts of afghan peace process,” the DG ISPR explained. “On the basis of security our region has been facing problems. The media should portray positive image of Pakistan,” the ISPR director general said. “Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has played key role for stability in the region. “We know how to defend our borders. Pakistan does not want war in the region and we have defeated terrorism in Pakistan. We will ensure stability in the region,” he further elaborated.