Norwegian envoy meets COAS, expresses grief over flood losses

Ambassador of Norway Per Albert Ilsaas on Monday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters and expressed his grief over the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and regional security situation were discussed. Both reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations in all fields, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said. The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for regional stability and pledged to play his rule for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister of Iraq and Secretary General Jabbar Thejel Mutlag called on Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu on Monday and commended the professionalism of PAF and appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in promoting regional peace. During the meeting, several key areas of mutual interest, enhanced bilateral relations and defence cooperation were discussed, a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) news release said. The Chief of the Air Staff said that Pakistan and Iraq enjoyed longstanding religious, cultural and historical bonds which were manifested through strong ties between both the countries.

The air chief further highlighted that the advancement in space, electronic warfare, cyber and niche technologies coupled with artificial intelligence had profoundly affected the traditional environment of national security.

“Pakistan Air Force is fully focused in acquisition and development of these technologies through smart inductions and human resource development for cost effective operations,” he said. Both the dignitaries also agreed to further optimize the existing ties between both the air forces particularly in training and operational domains.