Gen. Petraeus shakes hands with officer training instructors at the Pakistani Military Academy, Feb 24, in Kakul near Abbottabad in the Northwest Frontier of Province, Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD, (Feb. 24, 2010) - U.S. Central Command commander Gen. David Petraeus visited Pakistan, Feb. 22-24, to consult with Pakistan leaders and U.S. Embassy officials here.
While in Pakistan, Gen. Petraeus met with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari; Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani; Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff; and several other senior Pakistani government officials. He also visited the Pakistan Military Academy in the North-West Frontier Province near Abbottabad and addressed students there.
During his meetings, Gen. Petraeus briefed the Pakistani leadership on the progress being made by the Afghan, US and international forces in the battle against extremism in Afghanistan. He promised continued support for the Pakistan military as it combats violent extremists in Pakistan and anticipated that vigorous progress by Pakistani security forces in the coming months will lead to major improvements in conditions in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Gen. Petraeus meets with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, General Ashvaq Parvez Kayani, Feb 24th, in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Gen. Petraeus praised Pakistan's efforts to confront violent extremists and honored the sacrifices being made every day by the Pakistan military, government and people in their fight to restore peace and stability. He was impressed by the progress Pakistan's security forces have made throughout the country in places like South Waziristan and Swat to defeat anti-government militants who threaten Pakistan's way of life. He reinforced the United States' long-term commitment to Pakistan and expressed his appreciation for the leadership role Pakistan continues to provide in achieving the mutual goals of a peaceful and secure South Asia region.
Gen. Petraeus has visited Pakistan five times during the last twelve months to consult with Pakistan's leaders on the current U.S. strategy in Afghanistan and other regional security issues.