ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top military official, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and other senior civil and military leaders in Cairo on Thursday to discuss regional dynamics, military cooperation, and counterterrorism efforts, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
General Mirza, who serves as Chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), is visiting Egypt for the third round of bilateral defense and security talks. During his visit, he held high-level meetings with key Egyptian officials, including General Abdel Mageed Saqr, Egypt’s Minister of Defense and Military Production and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as well as Admiral Osama Mounier Mohamed Rabie.
He also met with the Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority and held a separate meeting with Professor Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, one of the Islamic world’s most prominent religious institutions.
According to the ISPR, the discussions centered on enhancing military-to-military ties, counterterrorism collaboration, and the overall regional security environment. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to expanding cooperation in military training, joint exercises, and broader defense partnerships.
In his conversation with Grand Imam El-Tayeb, General Mirza emphasized the role of religious and interfaith harmony in promoting peace, tolerance, and addressing the root causes of extremism and terrorism.
The ISPR further noted that Egyptian leaders commended the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their significant sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism.
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Upon his arrival at Egypt’s Ministry of Defense, General Mirza was honored with a ceremonial guard of honor by the Egyptian Armed Forces.
Pakistan and Egypt maintain longstanding cordial relations and have recently focused on deepening bilateral cooperation. Efforts have included easing visa procedures for business communities, exchanging trade-related information, and encouraging private sector engagement.
Earlier this month, officials from both countries also explored avenues to boost cooperation in agriculture, food security, and sustainable farming, with Pakistan expressing interest in Egypt’s successful agricultural practices.