Iraqi Ambassador calls on Defence Minister

RAWALPINDI: Ambassador of Iraq, Dr. Ali Yassin Mohammed Karim called on Federal Minister for Defence, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan in his office at Ministry of Defence here on Thursday.

The minister welcomed the dignitary and expressed Pakistan’s desire for peace and prosperity of Iraqi people, says news release issued here.

The minister informed the Iraqi Ambassador that Pakistan had developed best training facilities and infrastructure for its armed forces and offered assistance in the development of training infrastructure and capacity building for Iraqi Armed Forces. He also proposed establishment of institutional framework for defence collaboration between the two countries.

Dastgir highlighted the important role of Pakistan as a stabilizing factor for regional security. He said that regional cooperation was essential to attain sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan. He apprised the Ambassador about the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and highlighted excessive border violations by Indian Army in 2017. He pointed out that international community needed to take serious notice of the situation.

Later, the Ambassador also called on Secretary Defence, Lt. Gen (Retd) Zameer-ul-Hassan Shah. During the meeting, matters related to mutual interest and bilateral importance were discussed.

Secretary Defence apprised the Ambassador about the efforts of Pakistan armed forces in countering the menace of terrorism.