US Centcom chief departs Pakistan after meetings with military leaders

General Lloyd J. Austin III, Commander of US CentralComman, departed Pakistan Saturday after a series of meetings with senior Pakistanimilitary leaders, DawnNews reported.While here, General Austin discussed with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq ParvezKayani, Secretary of Defence, Lt Gen (retd) Asif Yasin Malik and other senior militaryofficials a broad range of common security issues, to include militant network activitiesand measures to improve cross-border cooperation with ISAF forces.General Austin also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Pakistani security forcesand the terrible losses Pakistanis have suffered due to terrorism and violent extremism.He reaffirmed the importance of the US-Pakistani security relationship to ongoingoperations in Afghanistan and also to regional security and stability. All partiesagreed to continue to meet periodically to further common objectives and to strengthencooperation between the two militaries.General Austin said of his visit: We had a good meeting and a candid discussion.Pakistan s senior military leaders clearly understand their country s importantand unique role in promoting security and stability in Afghanistan and throughout