Pakistan Army chief visits China to strengthen defence ties

Pakistan’s Army chief General Asim Munir has arrived in China on a four-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral defence ties.

Pakistan’s Army chief General Asim Munir has arrived in China on a four-day official visit aimed at boosting bilateral defence ties.

This is Gen. Munir’s fourth overseas visit ever since he took command of the Pakistan Army in November last year. In January, he visited Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) on his first official visit abroad since his appointment.

A month later, he visited the United Kingdom on a highly important visit on Britain’s Ministry of Defence invitation to discuss security-related strategic issues.

After his U.K. visit, Gen Munir again visited the U.A.E.

“COAS is on a four-day official visit to China for enhancing bilateral military relations,” the Army’s media wing said in a statement on Monday without providing any further details about the trip.

It is common for the new Army chief in Pakistan to undertake a visit to China within weeks of his appointment. The delay this time is attributed to the internal situation in Pakistan.

The visit comes amidst mounting pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on cash-strapped Pakistan to arrange at least $6 billion to bridge the external payment financial gap.