On Unofficial Visit, Pak Army Chief Meets CIA Director, Discusses Regional Security

Washington: Pakistan's army chief General Raheel Sharif has met CIA Director John Brennan, discussing key issues like re-initiating the fragile Afghan peace process and security challenges facing the region.

Raheel Sharif, who arrived in Washington on Sunday night on a five-day trip, visited Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Headquarters and met Mr Brennan yesterday.

Regional security challenges, and a way forward was discussed during the meeting, Pakistan military's Inter-Services Public Relations wing said in a statement.

Raheel Sharif met Mr Brennan and specifically highlighted the need for permanent stability and requirement of conducive environment in the region for re-initiating Afghan-owned and led reconciliation process, ISPR Director Lt General Asim Bajwa said.

Raheel Sharif acknowledged the accomplishments of operation Zarb-e-Azb in Pakistan's northwest tribal region, its positive impact on security calculus and appreciated Pakistan's efforts for reconciliation and discussed opportunities presented for future of an enduring regional peace, he said in a series of tweets.

Significantly, Raheel Sharif is visiting the United States on his own as there was no official invitation either from his American counterpart or the Pentagon.

Raheel Sharif, during his visit, would also meet Vice President Joe Biden. Other meetings that he would have during his stay in Washington include with Secretary of State John Kerry, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Joseph Dunford, Army Chief of Staff Gen Mark Milley besides influential US lawmakers.

While Afghanistan is expected to be one of the major issues of discussion along with the supply of latest arms and military hardware to Pakistan, India too is expected to figure in the talks, Mr Bajwa had said ahead of General Raheel Sharif's visit.