Army chief and CIA boss discuss Afghanistan situation
ISLAMABAD: Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns called on Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, Radio Pakistan reported.
Burns, whose arrival was kept confidential also met with his Pakistan counterpart, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed who has just returned from a visit to Kabul.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said regional security and developments in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting. The agency did not elaborate further.
“Pakistan remains committed to cooperating with its international partners for peace in the region and ensuring a stable and prosperous future for the Afghan people," the statement said.
Burns also made an unannounced visit to Islamabad in June to meet with Gen Bajwa and the head of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency.
New York Times that broke the story said talks between Burns and Pakistan's security establishment focused on broader counterterrorism cooperation between Washington and Islamabad and, more importantly, efforts to secure bases close to Afghanistan for future operations inside that country.
However, the government suggested he was informed that Pakistan would not host drone bases on its territory for the CIA.
During his latest visit, Burns thanked Pakistan for its role in the evacuation operations from Afghanistan and pledged further improvements in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan.
During weeks following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, Pakistan emerged as the “biggest base” for the urgent evacuation of foreigners from Afghanistan.
“Right now, the biggest base in the immediate vicinity of Afghanistan for evacuation of foreigners is in Pakistan,” ISPR chief Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar told a press briefing last month.
Pakistan has also allowed foreign military and commercial flights to use its airspace for airlift operations from Kabul. In August alone, more than 113 military and commercial flights have landed in Pakistan.
Islamabad also opened its major border crossings -- Torkham and Chaman -- for trade and travel mainly on humanitarian grounds.
Late last month, the boss of MI6 -- United Kingdom foreign intelligence service -- Sir Richard Moore also met Gen Bajwa to discuss intelligence and defence collaboration after the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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