RAWALPINDI (special crosspondent) – Lieutenant General Banza Mwilambwe Jules, Chief of Defence of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, held a high-level meeting with General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Wednesday. The discussions focused on reinforcing bilateral military ties and addressing regional security concerns.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the visiting dignitary was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the GHQ, where a smartly turned-out tri-services contingent presented a Guard of Honour. The formal exchange served to highlight the importance of diplomatic and military engagement, similar to recent high-level interactions such as when the Malaysian Interior Minister visited Pakistan Monument and Islamabad Police Lines.

Strengthening Defence Ties

During the formal session, the two military leaders reviewed matters of mutual interest, including the prevailing regional security environment and strategies to enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the enduring and cordial relations between Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a tangible outcome of these discussions, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at broadening the scope of their collaborative efforts in the defence and security sectors.

Engagement with Service Chiefs

Prior to his meeting with the COAS, Lieutenant General Banza Mwilambwe Jules conducted separate visits to meet with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. These meetings underscore the comprehensive nature of the ongoing defence diplomacy, mirroring efforts to seek regional stability as seen in recent strategic dialogues such as when the Ishaq Dar, UN SG made a telephonic call and agreed to maintain close contact.

Recognition of Pakistan’s Defence Capabilities

Lieutenant General Banza Mwilambwe Jules lauded the professionalism, operational preparedness, and the unwavering commitment of the Pakistan Armed Forces toward maintaining regional peace and stability. Furthermore, he formally acknowledged the significant strides Pakistan has made in the fields of defence indigenization and self-reliance, noting the country’s growing capacity to support international security objectives through localized manufacturing and technological advancement.