By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief pledged deeper security ties with the United States and Central Asian nations at a conference on Saturday, as Islamabad ramps up diplomacy to bolster its regional defence role amid shifting global alliances.
Senior military officials from the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan gathered in Islamabad for the Regional Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference, themed “Strengthening Bonds, Securing Peace.”
The conference in Islamabad marked the first multilateral defense engagement of its kind hosted by Pakistan amid a gradual thaw in relations between Islamabad and Washington.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir formally welcomed the delegations, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to building a secure and prosperous regional environment with partner nations.
“In an era defined by transnational threats and complex hybrid challenges, the imperative for deeper military-to-military cooperation, strategic dialogue, and mutual trust is paramount. Pakistan remains fully committed to working with partner nations to build a secure and prosperous regional environment,” Field Marshal Munir said, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The conference focused on regional security dynamics, the evolving security environment in central and south Asia, and the need for joint training initiatives, counter-terrorism cooperation, and coordinated humanitarian responses.
“This landmark multilateral engagement marked a significant stride toward advancing regional security cooperation, military diplomacy and strategic dialogue among participating nations,” the ISPR said.
Participants commended Pakistan’s leadership and hospitality, with the ISPR noting that the conference sought to reinforce security collaborations, enhance training initiatives, and exchange best practices in counterterrorism and other defence programs.
“This strategic convergence reflects Pakistan’s enduring commitment to a secure, interconnected, and cooperative region, anchored in shared security interests and regional solidarity,” the ISPR statement added.
The military’s media wing said the attendees collectively reaffirmed their resolve to uphold peace, respect national sovereignty, and confront common security threats such as terrorism, cybersecurity, and violent extremism.
The conference caps a week of diplomatic efforts by Pakistan to expand defence cooperation. On Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s naval chief met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza in Rawalpindi. On Friday, COAS Munir held talks with senior Chinese political and military leadership in Beijing. These engagements underscore Pakistan’s push to strengthen military ties across the region.
In a separate development, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Pakistan’s contributions to regional stability during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday. “Pakistan has always played a positive role in global and regional peace,” the Foreign Office quoted Rubio as saying. The US State Department also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s willingness to mediate conversations with Iran and its commitment to preserving regional stability.
Separately, the government awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) to Army General Michael Kurilla, Commander of United States Central Command (Centcom), in recognition of his exemplary service and pivotal role in advancing military cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.
President Asif Ali Zardari presented the award at a formal ceremony at the Presidency, where Gen Kurilla was also honored with a guard of honour.
“General Kurilla’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding, enhancing defence collaboration, and deepening counterterrorism cooperation between the Pakistan Armed Forces and Centcom,” the ISPR said in a statement. It added that his consistent engagement reflects “profound respect for Pakistan’s central role in promoting peace and stability across the region.”
During his visit, Gen Kurilla held detailed discussions with senior Pakistani civil and military leaders, including the president and COAS Munir, covering regional security, military-to-military engagement, and joint efforts to combat terrorism.
“This high-level recognition underscores the enduring strategic relationship between Pakistan and the United States and reaffirms their shared commitment to regional peace, security, and long-term defence cooperation,” the ISPR stated.
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