British army chief visits Pakistan for ‘defence engagement’

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: British Army’s Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a five-day defence engagement visit as part of the long-standing defence cooperation agreement between the UK and Pakistan.

During his visit, Gen Sanders will meet Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, alongside holding other defence activities.

According to the press release, the depth and warmth of the UK-Pakistan military relationship and friendship, underpinned by a shared history and ‘living bridge’ diaspora links, is highly valued by the UK.

The existing defence relationship includes Pakistani officers undertaking training at the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the Advance Command and Staff Course and the Royal College of Defence Studies.

Gen Sanders’ visit comes almost a year after Pakistan’s devastating floods that left nearly one-third of the country submerged and affected an estimated 33 million people.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence was directly involved in providing assistance for flood relief operations, airlifting in eight boats and 10 portable generators at the request of the Pakistani army chief.

Discussing bilateral military cooperation in response to climate change-related crises will be a key focus of the visit.