Pakistan Air Force Chief holds
meetings with US military and political leaders during visit
In a pivotal move to strengthen
bilateral defence relations, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer
Ahmed Baber Sidhu has completed a landmark official visit to the United States
— the first by a serving Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief in more than a decade.
According to a statement issued by
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the high-level visit represents a
strategic milestone in Pakistan-US defence cooperation and was instrumental in
deepening institutional ties while addressing pressing regional and global
security challenges.
During the visit, Air Chief Marshal
Sidhu held a series of key meetings with senior US military and political
leaders. At the Pentagon, he met with Secretary of the Air Force (International
Affairs) Kelli L. Seybolt and US Air Force Chief of Staff General David W.
Allvin. Discussions focused on expanding military cooperation, enhancing
interoperability, and exploring joint training and technology exchange
opportunities.
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The air chief underscored the historic and multifaceted nature of Pakistan-US defence relations, emphasizing the importance of continued high-level military engagement. Both sides agreed to maintain momentum through regular strategic dialogues, operational exercises, and military exchange programs.
Air Chief Marshal Sidhu also visited
the US State Department, where he met with Brown L. Stanley of the Bureau of
Political-Military Affairs and Eric Meyer from the Bureau of South &
Central Asian Affairs. The meetings highlighted Pakistan’s constructive role in
fostering regional stability, its sustained commitment to counterterrorism, and
its evolving security posture amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in South and
Central Asia.
Further engagements took place on
Capitol Hill, where the air chief held substantive discussions with key US
lawmakers, including Representatives Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill
Huizenga. These sessions provided a critical platform to reaffirm the strength
of bilateral ties, convey Pakistan’s strategic perspectives, and discuss the
implications of emerging technologies on future defence cooperation.
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Throughout the visit, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reiterated Pakistan’s identity as a peace-oriented nation, citing its extensive contributions and sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism. He also highlighted the evolving nature of Pakistan’s security strategy in response to the rapidly changing regional landscape.
The visit concluded with a renewed
commitment to closer institutional collaboration, strategic dialogue, and
enhanced interoperability between the Pakistan Air Force and the United States
Air Force — reaffirming both nations’ shared goal of promoting regional and
global peace.
Source: Express Tribune