Islamabad, 11 December, 2023 (GNP): On Sunday, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir embarked on his maiden official trip to the United States, as confirmed by a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The brief announcement from the military’s media wing ISPR outlined that General Munir is expected to engage with high-ranking military and government officials during his visit to the US.
This visit follows a recent trip by senior US officials to Pakistan. Last week, a representative from the Biden administration, specializing in refugee issues, conducted a four-day visit to Islamabad, marking the commencement of a series of visits by American officials.
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The ongoing consultations between Pakistan and the United States encompass a spectrum of issues, and as part of advancing these discussions, reciprocal visits are being facilitated, as highlighted by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in a statement providing context for these engagements.
Approximately 25,000 Afghans, as acknowledged by Washington, are present in Pakistan who are anticipating immigration to the US.
These individuals collaborated with the US during its military operations in Afghanistan, and following the US withdrawal, they remain stranded in Pakistan, awaiting the completion of the immigration process.
The US has been collaborating with Pakistan to devise a practical solution to prevent the deportation of these Afghans to Afghanistan.
Additionally, there is concern about the potential eviction of individuals such as musicians, artists, journalists, and others who may be affected by these circumstances.
Heightened tension persists between Pakistan and the Taliban government due to Kabul’s reluctance to take decisive action against the TTP.
There is a concern within the US that any escalation in tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban government could lead to destabilization in Afghanistan.
