ISLAMABAD, July 26, 2025 (Agencies) — General Michael E. Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening defence cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. Upon arrival at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, he was received with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour and later conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) by President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his contributions to regional security and counterterrorism collaboration.
During the investiture ceremony, President Zardari lauded General Kurilla’s “visionary leadership” in fostering mutual understanding and strengthening military-to-military ties between the Pakistan Armed Forces and USCENTCOM. The award—one of Pakistan’s highest military honours—underscores Islamabad’s appreciation for his efforts to bolster long-term defence cooperation and regional stability.
General Kurilla held detailed talks with President Zardari and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, focusing on joint efforts to combat terrorism, emerging transnational threats, and enhancing interoperability through training and intelligence sharing. Pakistani military officials emphasized that his sustained engagement reflects the central role Pakistan plays in promoting peace across the region.
The CENTCOM chief also attended the Regional Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference hosted in Islamabad, which convened senior military leaders from the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan under the theme “Strengthening Bonds, Securing Peace.” Discussions revolved around counterterrorism strategies, cybersecurity, and frameworks for multilateral defence collaboration in Central and South Asia.
General Kurilla’s visit follows his earlier praise of Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in counterterrorism and signals both countries’ intent to reinforce strategic defence ties amidst evolving regional challenges. The U.S. military delegation is scheduled to visit military installations and hold further consultations on bilateral and multilateral security initiatives before departing Islamabad on Monday.