President Zardari confers Nishan-e-Imtiaz on USCENTCOM chief Gen Kurilla
Listen to article
President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) award on General Michael E. Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), in recognition of his contributions to regional security and the strengthening of bilateral military ties, the military's media wing said.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), President Zardari presented the honour during a formal investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday. General Kurilla was recognised for his 'exemplary service and pivotal role in advancing enduring military cooperation' between Pakistan and the United States.
'General Kurilla's visionary leadership has been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding, enhancing defence collaboration, and deepening counterterrorism cooperation between the Pakistan Armed Forces and USCENTCOM,' the statement read.
The Government of Pakistan has conferred the prestigious award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) upon General Michael E. Kurilla, Commander of United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), in recognition of his exemplary service and pivotal role in advancing enduring military… pic.twitter.com/uI3wLsZ3oc
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) July 26, 2025
The award reflects Pakistan's appreciation of General Kurilla's 'unwavering support' and highlights the growing depth of the military partnership between the two nations.
During his visit, General Kurilla met with senior Pakistani leadership, including President Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Discussions focused on regional security, military-to-military engagement, and joint counterterrorism efforts, the statement added.
Upon arrival at the Presidency, General Kurilla was presented with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour. The visit and high-level recognition underscore the strategic nature of Pakistan-US defence relations and reaffirm both countries' commitment to regional stability.
Pakistan also hosted the Regional Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference, bringing together senior military leaders from the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan in what is being hailed as a significant step toward strengthening regional security cooperation and military diplomacy.
Read More: President Zardari honors Chinese General Li Qiaoming
Organised under the theme 'Strengthening Bonds, Securing Peace,' the high-profile gathering aimed at reinforcing security collaboration, enhancing joint training initiatives, and sharing best practices in counterterrorism and other defence-related areas, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, formally welcomed the delegations and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to regional stability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Visa exemption for Pakistani officials, diplomats traveling to UAE now in effect
The United Arab Emirates has formally implemented a visa exemption for Pakistani diplomatic and official passport holders, effective July 25, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on Sunday. Announcing the development on the social media platform X, Dar said the move follows a bilateral agreement signed in Abu Dhabi on June 24, 2025, during his meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 'We both agreed to grant visa exemptions to holders of diplomatic and official passports and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bring this into effect,' Dar stated. 'The signed MoU came into force 30 days after the signing date.' In my meeting at Abu Dhabi on 24th June 2025 with my brother Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we agreed mutual visa waivers on diplomatic and official passports between our two brotherly countries and we both… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 27, 2025 Dar confirmed that UAE authorities have now fully activated the waiver, allowing holders of diplomatic and official passports to enter the UAE without a visa. He also noted that, under the reciprocal arrangement, UAE citizens will now be granted visa-free entry at all Pakistani airports. The agreement is expected to ease official travel and strengthen diplomatic ties between Pakistan and the UAE. Last month, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual exemption of visa entry requirements among other agreements during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission held in Abu Dhabi. The session was co-chaired by Pakistan's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Senator Ishaq Dar, and the UAE's minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two countries signed different agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas such as investment, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, reported Radio Pakistan. Read: Pakistan, UAE reaffirm commitment to peace The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual understanding and brotherhood, with both sides exchanging views on regional and international developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Aafia Siddiqui is Pakistan's daughter, govt's priority, says FM Ishaq Dar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday stated there should be no misconception Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who's imprisoned in US, is Pakistan's daughter and a priority for the government. Addressing the Pakistani community in New York, Dar said that efforts to resolve Aafia's case will continue until a solution is found. He said this in response to the social media reaction on his earlier statement regarding the incarcerated Pakistani neuroscientist. Addressing an event in Washington on Friday, responding to a query about imprisonment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Dar had made comparison between incarceration of Imran and Aafia. He had said if 'due process of the law has resulted in that action [arrest of Aafia],' then the same applies to Imran. 'There's no exception.' 'Legal due process has no exceptions', Dar compares Aafia, Imran's arrests Here in New York when Dar clarified that he was asked about Imran, upon which, he said when the government raises the issue of Aafia's release with the US, it is told that the legal process does not allow for it. He said he just tried to make his point on the PTI founder's arrest as there is also a legal process in Imran's case. Dismissing the criticism he received, he said that the entire world is appreciating Pakistan's activities in the United States, yet opponents have begun criticising, following which, he said, he had to clarify. He also said, 'If someone doesn't understand English, what is my fault?' After receiving the backlash, in a statement a day ago, FM Dar had said his comments in the US about the case of Dr Aafia were being 'taken out of context'. 'Our government's stance on the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release is clear and unequivocal,' he had said in a post on X. The deputy prime minister further stated that the government had also written a letter to former US president Joe Biden on the issue of Aafia, and even sought clemency for her from Biden before he left the office. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met her sister two days ago to assure full support, he said, adding that Pakistan has made every effort to secure the release of Aafia Siddiqui. Dar said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has always supported the release of Aafia, providing all diplomatic and judicial support for her release. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also spoke to former US president Barack Obama in this regard, he said, adding that the government made immense efforts to secure Aafia's release in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and it continued to do so.
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Govt bars pilgrims from traveling to Iran, Iraq by road this Arbaeen
Pakistani pilgrims will not be allowed to travel to Iran and Iraq by road for the Arbaeen pilgrimage due to public and national security, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday. 'After extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, [the] Balochistan Government, and security agencies, it has been decided that zaireen (pilgrims) will not be allowed to travel to Iraq and Iran by road for Arbaeen this year,' Naqvi said on X. The minister said that the decision was taken in the interest of public safety and national security. He added that the intending pilgrims will be able to travel by air. Naqvi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to arrange maximum flights in the coming days to facilitate pilgrims travelling for Arbaeen. PM Shehbaz directs assistance for protection of Pakistani pilgrims in Iran His remarks followed a briefing to the prime minister earlier in the day on the new pilgrimage management policy, according to a report by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). The prime minister also instructed Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif to ensure the availability of special flights for pilgrims, the APP reported, citing a press release from the PM Office. As part of broader reforms, the government plans to implement a new travel management system effective January 1, 2026. Under the new framework, only registered group organisers will be allowed to facilitate pilgrimages, replacing the traditional Salar system. Iran eases visa rules for Pakistan zaireen In addition to the increase in weekly flights to Iran from six to 15, authorities will arrange 107 special flights for Zaireen travelling to Iraq for religious observance. Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf recently clarified that his earlier statement regarding 40,000 missing pilgrims was based on a misunderstanding. He said outdated paper records, which had not yet been fully digitised, led to the inaccurate figure. Arbaeen Pilgrims travel to Iraq to participate in the Chehlum observance, also known as Arbaeen, an Arabic word meaning 'forty', which marks the 40th day of mourning following the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the revered grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Karbala, Iraq, where Imam Husain and his brother Abbas are buried in two grand shrines, becomes the focal point for millions of Shia pilgrims during Arbaeen. Last year, more than 21 million people took part in the annual pilgrimage.
