Islamabad: Pakistan and Egyptian top military officials affirmed keenness to expand military and security partnership.
Pakistan Army’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza led the second round of defence and security talks during his official visit to Cairo. Gen. Raza held detailed meetings with Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and Minister of Defence and Military Production, General Mohamed Zaki. The official reception for the Pakistani general and his delegation was held at the headquarters of Egypt’s Ministry of Defense.
The two sides discussed the latest regional and international developments, and a number of issues of common interest in the matters of military cooperation, including counter-terrorism, security, and “transferring and exchanging experiences between the Egyptian and Pakistani Armed Forces.”
In his meetings, Gen. Raza reiterated that “Pakistan is keen to expand its existing bilateral military to military cooperation with Egypt” according to Pakistan military’s public relations wing, ISPR. The Egyptian top commander also affirmed his country’s willingness “to increase the bonds of cooperation and partnership in various military and security fields.”
Egypt’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt Gen Mohamed Farid, a number of senior commanders of the armed forces of both countries, as well as Pakistan’s ambassador in Cairo Sajid Bilal and the Pakistani defence attaché Colonel Naveed Ahmed were present.
During his visit, Gen. Raza also held a meeting on June 13 with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi who stressed his aspiration “to develop bilateral cooperation” to enhance the exchange of experiences in various fields especially in the security and military aspects. The two officials emphasised the importance of regularly holding joint defence committee meetings and promoting cooperation in the field of defence and military industries as well as joint military training.
Joint drills in Cairo
Pakistani and Egyptian air defence forces recently participated in the ‘Sky Guardians 1’ exercise to bolster military cooperation. The two-week long joint drills, held in Cairo, were focused on robust and realistic training to confront existing and emerging threats in the air domain.
The Egyptian President conveyed his greetings to Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan and expressed appreciation for the leadership and people of Pakistan, which he termed “a pivotal country in the region.” Sisi asserted his keenness to enhance cooperation on various regional issues, particularly in combating terrorism and extremist ideology with “intensive coordination and joint efforts” between the two countries to maintain regional and international peace and security.
Gen. Raza commended Egypt’s balanced and rational policy in the region and the vital role played by Egypt in reaching the ceasefire and cessation of hostilities in Palestine.
