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Is Abizaid’s visit routine?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the US agreed on Thursday to enhance intelligence sharing for combating terrorist activities and promote military ties.

The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting between US Central Command chief Gen John Abizaid and President Musharraf on Thursday.

Military sources told Online that the two sides agreed on enhancing sharing of military intelligence to make the war on terror more effective.

Major General Shaukat Sultan, the ISPR chief, said Gen Abizaid was on a routine visit. An official statement said, “They discussed the geo-strategic environment, the regional situation and matters of mutual interest during the meeting.” The visit coincided with joint exercises involving special forces of the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan at Cherath. The US commander also visited the army’s general headquarters and met Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, the statement said.

Separately, State Department counter-terrorism official Henry A Crumpton held talks at the Interior Ministry to discuss ways to strengthen Pakistani forces along the border with Afghanistan.

Sources told Daily Times the two senior US officials could be visiting Pakistan in the context of an operation against Al Qaeda or Taliban forces in the borderland by one or more of the allies in the war against terror.

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