Pakistan honors US CENTCOM chief with military award

Pakistan on Saturday awarded the prestigious Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) to General Michael E. Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), recognizing his 'pivotal role in advancing military cooperation and regional security ties between the two countries'.

The decoration was conferred by President Asif Ali Zardari during a formal investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. General Kurilla was acknowledged for his outstanding service in strengthening defense collaboration and fostering strategic dialogue with Pakistan.

The honor comes during an important week in bilateral diplomacy, as Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar continues a week-long visit to Washington.

His high-level engagements, including a key meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscore the broader context of growing security and diplomatic cooperation.

According to Pakistan’s military media wing ISPR, General Kurilla’s leadership has been instrumental in enhancing mutual understanding and expanding counterterrorism efforts between the Pakistan Armed Forces and CENTCOM. His engagement reflects a recognition of Pakistan’s vital role in promoting stability across South and Central Asia.

During his visit, General Kurilla met with top civil and military leaders in Pakistan, including President Zardari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Discussions focused on regional security, joint counterterrorism efforts, and strengthening military-to-military ties to address emerging transnational threats.

Pakistan hosts regional defense chiefs

Parallel to the U.S. military chief’s recognition, Pakistan hosted the Regional Chiefs of Defense Staff Conference in Islamabad, bringing together senior military leaders from the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The multilateral forum, held under the theme “Strengthening Bonds, Securing Peace”, represented a significant step toward regional defense collaboration and military diplomacy. It aimed to foster joint training, exchange of best practices, and shared counterterrorism strategies.

COAS Munir welcomed the participating delegations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability and constructive engagement.

“In an era defined by transnational threats and complex hybrid challenges, deeper military cooperation and mutual trust are imperative,” said the army chief. “Pakistan remains dedicated to working with partner nations to build a secure and prosperous region.”

The conference featured in-depth discussions on the evolving security landscape of Central and South Asia, highlighting the need for unified responses to threats like terrorism, cyber insecurity, and violent extremism.

Participating states jointly reaffirmed their resolve to uphold peace, respect sovereignty, and confront common security challenges through cooperation and strategic dialogue.