ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on Thursday visited the National Counter Terrorism Training Centre (NCTC) at Pabbi and witnessed the Pakistan-China Joint Special Forces exercise ‘YOUYI-VI 2016’.

The two-week-long exercise was focused on exchange of experiences of counterterrorism operations and field combat between the two armed forces.

The army chief congratulated the participants for displaying a high level of professionalism and combat skills.

He said such exercises would consolidate the special relationship with Chinese armed forces and help eliminate terrorism from the region.

“We are sharing our experiences with the world for the benefit of humanity and as an obligation towards international peace,” he added.

The COAS was received by Corps Commander Lt Gen Umar Farooq Durrani and Inspector General Training and Evaluation Lt Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Minis­ter of State for Defence Af­­fairs Dr Khalid Bin Muham­mad Al Attiyah called on the army chief at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, to discuss matters related to defence and stability.

The meeting discussed issues of mutual interests, including defence and security cooperation, said an Inter Services Public Rela­tions (ISPR) press release.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged Pakistan’s success in the fight against terrorism and efforts for ensuring regional peace and stability. Earlier on his arrival at GHQ, the Qatari defence minister laid a wreath at Yadgar-i-Shu­h­­a­da and was presented a guard of honour by a contingent of the Pakistan Army.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2016