ISLAMABAD: General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, arrived in Pakistan on Monday on a five-day Defence Engagement visit as part of the two countries’ long-standing defence cooperation arrangement.
During his visit, General Sir Patrick Sanders will meet with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, as well as participate in other Defence Engagement activities, according to a news release. Discussions on bilateral military cooperation in response to climate change-related crises will be a key focus of the visit.
UK-Pakistan military relationship
The UK highly valued the depth and warmth of the UK-Pakistan military relationship and friendship, which was supported by a shared history and ‘living bridge’ diaspora links. Pakistani officers are now undergoing training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the Advance Command and Staff Course, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.
General Sir Patrick Sanders’ visit comes nearly a year after Pakistan was devastated by floods that swamped roughly one-third of the country and affected an estimated 33 million people. The Ministry of Defence of the UK was directly involved in flood relief activities, airlifting in eight boats and ten portable generators at the request of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff.
