RAWALPINDI : April 25,2023: Army Chief , Syed Asim Munir , has embarked upon a 4-day official visit to China .
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday said in its official statement Chief of Army Staff (COAS) , Syed Asim Munir , has left for China on his 4-day official visit . It added that the army chief will discuss bilateral issues with Chinese leadership during the visit .
ISPR did not give further details of this crucial visit of the army chief to Beijing .
It’s first ever visit of the army chief to China since taking over as COAS in November last year.
The army chief ‘s visit to China is more than a formal visit . It will focus on a number of key bilateral , regional and global issues.
COAS visit will provide a golden opportunity to Pakistan to discuss a number of issues ranging from recent Indian threats to Pakistan in the wake of Poonch attack on Indian security forces , India’s declared role in Balochistan ‘s insurgency, as well as Delhi’s decision to hold G-20 summit in occupied Kashmir .
Pakistan’s on-going economic crisis will also be a major topic of discussion in meetings between the army chief and Chinese leadership.
Pakistan is passing through a worse economic crisis and Beijing took extraordinary steps to provide it financial support when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) kept it in waiting for grant of its bailout package .
IMF’s unending conditions and their fallout on Pakistan added to its financial woes in recent months.
Pakistan’s military and civil leadership has developed the feelings that the US led IMF was intentionally delaying support to Pakistan and it needs to go for other options to get out of the on-going financial crisis.
There is a possibility that the army cheif will also discuss Pakistan ‘s internal security related issues as its facing rising terrorist activities across Pakistan in general and in CPEC areas in particular .
China has serious concern over recent surge in terrorism in Pakistan and it will definitely extend all support to Islamabad to weed out this menace once for all.