PM Imran, IMCTC Commander Raheel Sharif discuss regional peace, stability in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD – The commander of Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), General (r) Raheel Sharif on Tuesday held a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Pakistani capital to share views on regional peace and stability besides discussing matters of mutual interest.

Sharif, who served as the former army chief of Pakistan, is leading a delegation Saudi-led military coalition on their first-ever two-day visit to the South Asian country. A special aircraft carrying the delegation, headed by its Commander General (r) Raheel Sharif, had arrived at Islamabad’s Nur Khan air base on Sunday.

Gen (r) Raheel Sharif leads IMCTC delegation on first visit to Pakistan

Earlier today, the IMCTC commander called on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Foreign Office, where they exchanged views on bilateral issues and discussed matters regarding regional peace and stability.

While Gen (r) Raheel Sharif briefed the foreign minister regarding steps and efforts taken to curb terrorism, Mr Qureshi appreciated the alliance’s efforts for the regional peace.

Gen Raheel Sharif, Military Commander of the Coalition along with a delegation visited #Pakistan Army Headquarters and called upon Gen Qamar Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff to discuss avenues of collaboration and #counterterrorism initiatives. pic.twitter.com/Tjfrrq1GpQ

— IMCTC (@imctc_en) February 11, 2019

Gen (r) Raheel Sharif also held separate meetings with Pakistan’s top military commanders, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Hayat to strengthen collaboration and discuss IMCTC's actions and initiatives in the fight against terrorism.

Gen Raheel Sharif, Military Commander of the Coalition held talks with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff of #Pakistan, Gen Zubair Hayat to strengthen collaboration and discuss #IMCTC's actions and initiatives in fight against #terrorism.#counterterrorism pic.twitter.com/IU56toYyew

— IMCTC (@imctc_en) February 11, 2019

The IMCTC delegation’s visit comes ahead of the arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Pakistan on the invitation of the government’s invitation. The crown prince’s planned visit on February 17 is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries as both nations are set to seal a multi-billion dollar oil refinery in Gwadar city.

The 41-nation alliance was announced in December 2015. Pakistan was part of the initial list of 34 countries that had agreed to become part of the coalition. Iran is not a part of the alliance.

Saudi Arabia had acquired the services of Gen (r) Raheel as head of the IMCTC cobbled together in December 2015.