After Asim Munir, Pakistan air force chief visits US; meets top military, political leaders - PAF hails 'strategic milestone'

Pakistan's chief of the air staff Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu is visiting the United States, days after its army chief, field marshal Asim Munir, was hosted by US President Donald Trump for lunch at the White House.In a statement, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said Sidhu would further enhance bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries.“This high-level visit is a strategic milestone in the Pakistan-US defence partnership. It will play a significant role in addressing key regional and global security issues as well as building institutional ties,” the statement read.This is the first United States visit in over a decade by a serving chief of Pakistan's air force, it highlighted.According to the PAF, Sidhu held important meetings with America's top military and political leadership, and reiterated his country's commitment to "further strengthening the existing relations" between their air forces .During the detailed discussions, they also agreed to establish high-level military relations in the future.The meetings highlighted Pakistan’s "constructive role" in promoting regional stability, its commitment to its ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, and perspective on the evolving geopolitical landscape of south and central Asia, the statement noted.Sidhu also went to the Capitol Hill, where he met prominent members of the US Congress, including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick, and Bill Heizenga.Last month, top general Michael "Erik" Kurilla had described the Asian nation as a "phenomenal partner" in counter-terrorism.Islamabad has also nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the India-Pakistan ceasefire - he has repeatedly taken credit fir this. India has consistently denied that Trump played any role, and that the ceasefire discussions were held only between the two neighbours.