A delegation of the United States (US) Congress, led by Jack Bergman called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir and discussed a range of issues of mutual interest.

 

Thomas Souzzi and Jonathan Jackson were also part of the US delegation that met with General Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

 

“Both sides reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement based on mutual respect, shared values, and converging strategic interests,” reads the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on Sunday.

 

The statement further reads that the visiting U.S. lawmakers commended the Pakistan Armed Forces for their pivotal role in combating terrorism and acknowledged Pakistan’s enduring contributions to regional peace and stability. They also expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan’s resilience and the strategic potential of its people.

 

The U.S. congressional delegation underscored their respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty, conveying a strong commitment to advancing broad-based bilateral cooperation, particularly in the domains of security, trade, investment, and economic development.

 

The ISPR statement further reads, “General Syed Asim Munir conveyed his appreciation to the delegation for their visit and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to further deepen and diversify its longstanding partnership with the United States in a manner that is mutually beneficial and respectful of each other’s national interests.

 

During the meeting, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed for training collaboration in the field of Information Technology.”

 

The congressional delegation had earlier held an important meeting with Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad. During the meeting, the Interior Minister emphasised the country's role in the fight against terrorism, saying, “Pakistan stands as a wall between terrorism and the rest of the world”.

 

According to media reports, both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, and investment. They also talked about issues related to security, counterterrorism, and border management.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Naqvi termed the menace of terrorism a "global challenge" and said that the international community must extend full cooperation to Pakistan. "Intelligence and technology sharing in the domain of counter-terrorism is of utmost importance," he added.

 

The minister further said that Pakistan’s immense sacrifices against terrorism are unmatched in the global context, noting that the visit of US congressmen will be crucial in highlighting Pakistan’s unprecedented role in the fight against terrorism.

 

The delegation underscored the need to highlight Pakistan’s role in the war against terrorism, claiming that the Pakistani community residing in the US is very talented and hardworking.