ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday presented a top award to Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit to Abu Dhabi where he discussed defense and security cooperation with officials of the Arab country, said a statement circulated by the military’s media wing, ISPR.
Pakistan and the UAE have maintained strong bilateral relations since the Gulf state was formed in 1971.
The UAE is also the second largest source of remittances to Pakistan and has frequently provided economic and financial assistance to the South Asian nation.
According to the official statement, Bajwa met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the visit.
“COAS [Chief of Army Staff] was … conferred upon Order of the Union Medal by President of UAE for making significant contributions in furthering bilateral ties between both the countries,” the ISPR said.
“During the meeting matters of mutual interest, bilateral defense and security cooperation and regional security situation in the Middle East came under discussion,” the statement added.
The UAE president and the Pakistani army chief agreed the two countries shared a history of cordial relations and spirit of brotherhood which had led to an enduring partnership between them
Bajwa’s visit to USA
Meanwhile, the United States and Pakistani officials are considering various options for Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Bajwa to visit the United States in late August or early September, diplomatic sources told Dawn.
“A date will soon be finalized,” a source said. Since the visit has not yet been officially confirmed, neither side has announced the agenda of the talks Gen Bajwa is likely to hold in Washington.
But diplomatic circles and think-tank experts point out that both sides have been trying to arrange such a visit for more than a year now. They also refer to various recent events and statements that might be discussed if and when Gen Bajwa visits Washington.
“We remain engaged with a range of stakeholders in Pakistan, (including) those currently in the government” and with “a broad array of others,” the department’s spokesperson Ned Price said.
Last month, Gen Bajwa reached out to Washington to request help in securing an early disbursement of funds from the IMF. He spoke with US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and later a State Department official rejected media speculations that the call was linked to the current political situation in Pakistan.
Later, Gen Bajwa also spoke with Commander US Centcom Gen Michael Erik Kurilla and, according to an official statement, the two discussed “matters of mutual interests, regional stability as well as defence and security cooperation in detail.”