Gates Call on Pakistan military leadership

?ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates called on Pakistan’s military leadership here Thursday on the first day of his visit to Pakistan – U.S. front-line ally in war on terror.

Gates in morning visited Joint Staff Headquarters where he met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed.

Issues related to bilateral interests, including security cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two countries and drone attacks in FATA came under discussion.

Later in the day U.S. Defence Secretary visited General Headquarters and called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

The visiting dignitary remained with him for some time and discussed matters of mutual interest, a handout issued by the ISPR said.

Earlier on arrival at General Headquarters, Gates laid wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour.

The U.S. Secretary praised the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Army and nation in the war on terror.

Kayani was quoted as telling Gates that there was a dire need of bringing change in the mechanism of carrying out drone attacks in Pakistani tribal belt, the channel added.

Prior to his visit to GHQ, Secretary Gates met with Pakistan Minister of Defense Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Rawalpindi to discuss security-related issues of mutual interest.

The two officials discussed ways to enhance bilateral military ties, new U.S. policy towards Afghanistan and drone attacks.

Secretary Gates is visiting Pakistan this week to consult with senior Pakistani leaders and solicit their views on a broader strategic dialogue regarding the link between security in Afghanistan and Pakistan; stability in the broader region; the threat of extremism in Asia; efforts to reduce illicit drugs and the damaging global impact; and the importance of maritime security and cooperation.