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Release
Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper's Telephone Call with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa

March 19, 2020

Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper spoke by phone with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa of Pakistan on March 19, 2020. Secretary Esper reaffirmed the department’s commitment to a long-term, mutually beneficial security partnership with the government of Pakistan.

Secretary Esper expressed his appreciation for Pakistan's support to the Afghanistan reconciliation process following the February 29, 2020, U.S.-Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Joint Declaration and signing of the U.S.-Taliban Agreement.

Secretary Esper welcomed continued close cooperation with Pakistan into the future. 

Esper Defense Secretary