DUSHANBE, March 1, 2016, Asia-Plus – Tajik Defense Minister, Lieutenant-General Sherali Mirzo, yesterday received visiting Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, General Raheel Sharif.

Faridoun Mahmadalizoda, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD), says the two discussed a broad range of issues related to military and technical cooperation between Dushanbe and Islamabad as well as training of personnel of Tajik national army.

They also exchanged views on providing regional security, the latest developments in Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan in combating terrorism and extremism.

General Raheel Sharif is also scheduled to visit Tajik Military Institute and some military units deployed in Dushanbe.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, General Raheel Sharif arrived in Dushanbe on February 29 on a three-day visit.

General Raheel Sharif is a four-star rank army general.  He has served as 15th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, since 2013.

The Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army is the four-star rank appointment in the Pakistan Army, held by the senior four-star rank officer appointed by the President of Pakistan, on a summary sent by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.  The appointment is in principle for three years subject to extensions granted by the President of Pakistan on recommendation from The Prime Minister of Pakistan.  The appointment is vested with complete operational, training and logistics commands.