Pak military leadership likely to be in US during PM visit

[ghazi52]

PM Imran departs for 3-day US trip on commercial Qatar Airways flight
July 20, 2019

During his stopover at Doha, the prime minister met Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Albaker. — Photo courtesy, Radio Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday departed for his 3-day visit to the United States on a commercial Qatar Airways flight.

He will arrive in Washington on Saturday afternoon (local time) and stay at the ambassador’s residence in the city’s diplomatic enclave.

During the premier's stopover in Doha, he was hosted by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, Radio Pakistan reported.

The decision to take a commercial flight has been touted as a bid to "save taxpayer money". The government has repeatedly promised that the entire trip will cost a total $60,000 to the exchequer — significantly less than the much higher expenditures allegedly incurred by past chief executives.

COAS and ISI chief accompany PM

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and the director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are accompanying the prime minister.

Apparently, this will be the first time that the country’s top generals will accompany a prime minister to a White House meeting with the US president.

Diplomatic sources told Dawn that Gen Bajwa would meet Defence Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan, the new chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley and other senior officials during his visit to Pentagon.

This will be Gen Milley’s first meeting with a foreign military leader since his confirmation on Thursday by the US Senate's Armed Services Committee.

Commenting on the PM’s decision to bring top military officials to Washington, Marvin Weinbaum, a US scholar of South Asian affairs, said: “Policymakers in Washington have noticed that after a long time, Pakistan’s civil and military leaders are on the same page on key issues.”

Weinbaum said Afghanistan and terrorism were two primary concerns of the Trump administration in South Asia, and they knew on such issues “no major decision can be implemented in Pakistan without the army’s support.”


Prime Minister Imran's itinerary

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while discussing the prime minister's schedule, said that he will arrive in Washington on Saturday afternoon and will stay at the ambassador’s residence in the city’s diplomatic enclave. In the evening, he will meet people who have had a long association with the PTI and have been instrumental in helping organise the visit.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Imran will meet IMF chief David Lipton and his delegation and will later have a similar meeting with the World Bank president. Later in the evening, he will attend a community event at Washington’s Capital One Arena.

“We are expecting between 15,000 and 20,000 people,” said chief organizer of the event Dr Abdullah Riar.

His other engagements include a meeting of Pakistani-Americans investors, media interviews, addressing the US-Pakistani Business Council and a dinner meeting with selected leaders of America’s corporate sector.

On Monday, the prime minister will arrive at the White House and after the book signing ceremony, he will attend two sessions: a small group meeting and an extended meeting. The first meeting will be in the Oval Office and the second in the cabinet room.

Prime Minister Imran will also have a one-on-one meeting with President Trump. The US leader will accompany him on a White House tour that will give them more time “to mingle and chat”, the foreign minister said.

On July 23, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will call on the prime minister. Prime Minister Imran will also address a meeting at the US Institute of Peace and have lunch with newspaper editors. Later, he will go to Capitol Hill for a meeting with the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate and later address the bipartisan Pakistani American Caucus. So far, 40-plus lawmakers have reportedly already signed up for this meeting.

PM Khan will also meet Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi before returning home on July 23.

 

[mingle]

I doubt it so please elaborate what is the reason behind your prediction or should I say news?

I meant US Cheif mily was saying strong military ties to house means we will get Vipers which r stored after the visit of IK

 

[araz]

There is reason to be optimistic, but one never knows with the Orange Ape in office.

Pakistan's hand is made stronger by its current unanimity of leadership, and weaker by its economic woes. USA's hand is made stronger with its military and economic resources, and weaker by its predicament in Afghanistan.

Both sides must tread a fine line while jockeying for the best bargain with each other. The end result would likely be surprisingly positive, I suspect.

A very good analysis.
It simply is a case of needs. Both sides need each other. US for withdrawal/adjustment and ease in Afghanistan and Pakistan for financial relief and investment. For once both sides are dangling carrots.
I guess the previous Pak leaders were burdened by their own corruption and frank incompetence( this does not matter from US perspective so can be left out of discussion) . While IK's competence is not clear, he has supplemented himself by keeping all interested parties around him on one page. He is not financially corrupt so possibly cannot be manipulated to US's advantage. This somewhat balances the scales.
I guess initial bluster will be exhibited by both sides but once the dust settles the cruel realities on the ground will instill sense.
I remain sceptical regarding huge progress being made being of a conservative ilk. However fully agree that things will move in a positive direction which will be good for both the US and Paklands.
India for the moment remains out of this game but Paklands need to play cautiously to give the US no reason to seek Indian help in Afghan lands. This in my view was an unnatural thing given the strong leanings of the Taliban towards Pak lands in spite of frank deceit on Pak lands part( I will say what you will never say yourself without exciting ire and rebuke). However the game is very much afoot. Let us wait and see how it is played out. The competition is going to be tough and as long as we come out on equal footing(relatively) I will be happy.
A

 

[mingle]

PAC-3 MSE should be looked into if possible its good system with Javelin ATGMs.

I think if available PAC- MSE and THAAD with HQ-9/16 combo are better for Pakistan then S-400, Buk, Pantsir Systems of Russia

But very difficult in current times to get.

Javelin been touted under Obama Administration but Army rejected after trial not effective again bunkers plus expensive those days 80k per piece.

 

[VCheng]

A very good analysis.
It simply is a case of needs. Both sides need each other. US for withdrawal/adjustment and ease in Afghanistan and Pakistan for financial relief and investment. For once both sides are dangling carrots.
I guess the previous Pak leaders were burdened by their own corruption and frank incometence( this does not matter from US perspective so can be left out of discussion) . While IK's competence is not clear, he has supplemented himself by keeping all interested parties around him on one page. He is not financially corrupt so possibly cannot be manipulated to US's advantage. This somewhat balances the scales.
I guess initial bluster will be exhibited by both sides but once the dust settles the cruel realities on the ground will instill sense.
I remain sceptical regarding huge progress being made being of a conservative ilk. However fully agree that things will move in a positive direction which will be good for both the US and Paklands.
India for the moment remains out of this game but Paklands need to play cautiously to give the US no reason to seek Indian help in Afghan lands. This in my view was an unnatural thing given the strong leanings of the Taliban towards Pak lands in spite of frank deceit on Pak lands part( I will say what you will never say yourself without exciting ire and rebuke). However the game is very much afoot. Let us wait and see how it is played out. The competition is going to be tough and as long as we come out on equal footing(relatively) I will be happy.
A

I am sure both sides will find enough common grounds to take steps towards real progress. As you said, let us wait and let this play out first. Thank you for being so frank in stating what you did which would have only made me more of a target while management stands idly by.

PMIK would do well to take advantage of the Orangeutan's need to be seen as a great statesman. Letting his ego win that perception while PMIK and COAS win real advantages for Pakistan would not be a bad thing for both sides. May be I should say no more.

 

[araz]

I am sure both sides will find enough common grounds to take steps towards real progress. As you said, let us wait and let this play out first. Thank you for being so frank in stating what you did which would have only made me more of a target while management stands idly by.

PMIK would do well to take advantage of the Orangeutan's need to be seen as a great statesman. Letting his ego win that perception while PMIK and COAS win real advantages for Pakistan would not be a bad thing for both sides. May be I should say no more.

I think if we can play our cards right it would be of huge benefit to Pak lands. US is sure to gain out of this but for it to be mutually beneficial would be a coup de grace.
A

 

[Humble Analyst]

I meant US Cheif mily was saying strong military ties to house means we will get Vipers which r stored after the visit of IK

Well military ties are slightly different than defense ties. Military ties are more related to cooperation between militaries

Well military ties are slight different to defense ties. Military ties are more related to cooperation between militaries

Military ties can lead to defense ties but it will take some time and a lot give and take

 

[ghazi52]

And the moment that everyone has been waiting for is here; Prime Minister Khan lands in US for a 3-day official visit upon POTUS Donald Trump ‘s invitation Foreign Minister Qureshi who is already in US receives PM Khan On way to Pakistan House now

https://www.facebook.com/

 

[VCheng]

I think if we can play our cards right it would be of huge benefit to Pak lands. US is sure to gain out of this but for it to be mutually beneficial would be a coup de grace.
A

It must be a two way street to work beneficially for both sides, of course. It is incumbent upon each side to derive the maximum benefit for itself while giving away as little as possible. That is how the game must be played.

Pakistan, for the first time in years, has a few good cards in its hand. Let us see how PMIK plays them. USA, as usual, has a full hand, but there are not many active brain cells in the Oval Office these days to use them properly. Advantage: Pakistan.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[GriffinsRule]

He avoided flying with PIA. Smart man haha

 

[mingle]

He avoided flying with PIA. Smart man haha

PIA won't fly to US anymore route ended by LNG Abbasi

 

[araz]

It must be a two way street to work beneficially for both sides, of course. It is incumbent upon each side to derive the maximum benefit for itself while giving away as little as possible. That is how the game must be played.

Pakistan, for the first time in years, has a few good cards in its hand. Let us see how PMIK plays them. USA, as usual, has a full hand, but there are not many active brain cells in the Oval Office these days to use them properly. Advantage: Pakistan.

As you said the weaknesses can be utilized by a bit of pampering of egos and a lot of selling of dreams of how Paklands is such a good bet.
A

 

[ghazi52]

COAS to visit Pentagon for interaction with top US military officials: DG ISPR
July 21, 2019

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor spoke to the media at the Pakistan embassy in Washington. — Photo courtesy Radio Pakistan
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa is scheduled to interact with top US military leadership at the Pentagon during a three-day official working visit to Washington, according to Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.

The DG ISPR, while speaking to the media at the Pakistani embassy in Washington, said that the army chief would also accompany Prime Minister Imran Khan during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday.

Prime Minister Imran, accompanied by COAS Gen Bajwa and Maj Gen Ghafoor, arrived in Washington on Saturday for an official working visit.

Apparently, this is the first time that the country’s top generals will be accompanying the prime minister to a White House meeting with the US president.

Diplomatic sources earlier told Dawn, that Gen Bajwa is expected to meet former acting defence secretary Patrick Shanahan, the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley and other senior officials during his visit to Pentagon.

This will be Gen Milley’s first meeting with a foreign military leader since his confirmation on Thursday by the US Senate's Armed Services Committee.

The DG ISPR told the media that the security situation in Pakistan is "far better now", and added that the "sacrifices of [the] Pakistani nation and security forces have started yielding results".

He said that with the erection of a fence along the Pak-Afghan border, border control was much better, and that the fence would help reduce terrorism-related incidents.

The ISPR spokesperson said that the main focus of security forces was the development of Balochistan and the restructuring of areas affected by terrorism in coordination with the civil administration, Radio Pakistan reported.

Gen Ghafoor also briefed the media on the escalation of tensions with India earlier this year as well as the overall security situation of Pakistan.

The DG ISPR "lauded the role of media in highlighting [a] positive image of the country abroad," the report added.

 

[ghazi52]

Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to hold talks on cementing Pakistan-US relations in a range of areas, at White House in Washington on Monday.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfikar Bukhari and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa are accompanying the Prime Minister.