WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the armed forces have distanced themselves from politics and want to remain away from politics.
General Bajwa also reiterated his pledge to leave as army chief after the completion of his second three-year term in two months (on Nov 29), saying that he would do as he promised it earlier. The COAS stated this at a lunch at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.
According to guests who attended lunch, Gen Bajwa addressed the gathering before the lunch and also talked to his guests. He reminded the nation that reviving the country’s ailing economy should be the first priority of all segments of society.
“There could be no diplomacy either without a strong economy,” said the army chief in his address to an audience which included a large number of Pakistani diplomats, Dawn.com reported today.
After the lunch, General Bajwa held a meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
According to the ISPR, Gen Bajwa called on retired General Lloyd James Austin III, Secretary of Defence; Jacob Jeremiah Sullivan, National Security Adviser; and Wendy Ruth Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State.
Army chief, during meetings, discussed matters of mutual of interest, regional security situation and bilateral cooperation in various fields.
General Bajwa thanked the US officials for their support and reiterated that assistance from “our global partners shall be vital for rescue/rehabilitation of the flood victims in Pakistan”.
