US Defence Secretary called on Defence Minister and discussed with him regional and security issues. The US top Defence official arrived in the capital on a two-day visit to hold meetings with military top brass and the political leadership of the country. It was the first visit of Gates to Pakistan after the new administration of the US President Barack Obama took over.
Ahmed Mukhtar called upon the US to expedite work on setting up of Reconstruction and Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), which would help in economic and social development of the affected areas. He stressed the need to expedite the reimbursement of Coalition Support Fund, which is overdue since May 2008. The US side responded that they would positively consider Pakistan's request simplifying the procedure.
Ahmed Mukhtar informed the visiting US Defence Secretary about Pakistan's anti-terrorism strategy. Pakistan is committed to root out terrorism and extremism and has been playing key role in this regard, he added.
He said the counter-terrorism capability of the Armed Forces of Pakistan were needed to be strengthened to defeat the terrorist and extremist elements. The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates on this occasion said that he won't directly press Pakistan to expand its military operation against the militants, but will ask them what their plans are. "US will not press Pakistan but we will ask about the plans they have", he added.
He said US wants Pakistan to broaden its offensive to border areas where Afghan Taliban believed to have fled. He said his talks with top military leadership of Pakistan are intended to explain the US war strategy in neighbouring Afghanistan, besides he reassures Pakistan that the United States is "in this for the long haul".
The top brass of Pakistan Army has informed the US Defence Secretary that Pakistan has its hands full with the Pakistani Taliban and cannot open too many fronts at the same time. Gates visited Joint Staff Headquarters where he met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), General Tariq Majeed. Issues related to bilateral interests, including security co-operation and intelligence sharing between the two countries and drone attacks in Fata came under discussion, a channel reported.
The US Defence Secretary visited General Headquarters of Pakistan Army and called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The visiting dignitary remained with him for some time and discussed matters of mutual interest. Earlier, on arrival at General Headquarters, Gates laid wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. The US Secretary praised the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan Army and the nation in the war on terror.