Pakistan army chief, US officials discuss security issues

Pakistan’s army chief General Raheel Sharif held talks with US officials at the Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Florida on a host of issues like the situation in North Waziristan and border security.

Sharif, making his first visit to the US as chief of the army staff, has “been having productive and positive meetings. They’ve focused on a range of issues from the situation in North Waziristan to border security …,” said Jeff Rathke, Director of the State Department’s Office of Press Relations.

The US has “offered at every stage to be supportive” as Pakistan continues “the fight against extremist groups,” Rathke told reporters.

“We remain in dialogue with our Pakistani counterparts about that,” Rathke affirmed. “The general will be meeting with a range of high-level administration and congressional officials this week, which is an opportunity to continue that conversation.”