In a significant diplomatic and defence engagement, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, undertook an official visit to the United States, marking the first visit by a serving Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief in over a decade.

The visit signified a renewed commitment to strengthening Pakistan-US bilateral defence cooperation and proved instrumental in deepening institutional ties in addition to addressing key regional and global security issues.

During the visit, the PAF chief held a series of meetings with senior US military and political leadership, according to a statement by the ISPR.

At the Pentagon, he called on Ms. Kelli L. Seybolt, Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs), and General David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.

During the meetings, the discussions centred around advancing bilateral military cooperation, enhancing interoperability and exploring avenues of joint training & technology exchange.

Air Chief Marshal Sidhu highlighted the historic and multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and the United States, particularly in the domains of defence and security cooperation.

He reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing ties in the realms of military-to-military cooperation and training between the air forces of the two countries.

The two sides also agreed upon the continuation of high-level military engagements in future through senior-level interactions.

These interactions are deemed crucial for maintaining momentum in the ongoing cooperative endeavours in the areas of joint training, operational exercises and military exchange programmes between the two nations.

At the US State Department, the Air Chief met with Brown L. Stanley from the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and Eric Meyer from the Bureau of South & Central Asian Affairs.

The meetings served as a forum to underscore Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional stability, its firm commitment to counterterrorism efforts and its nuanced perspective on the evolving geopolitical dynamics of South and Central Asia.

As part of his engagements at Capitol Hill, the chief of the air staff held substantive dialogues with prominent members of the US Congress, including Mike Turner, Rich McCormick and Bill Huizenga.

These interactions reinforced the importance of robust engagement in strengthening bilateral relations and provided a valuable opportunity to share Pakistan’s views on strategic challenges, regional security frameworks and the impact of emerging technologies on defence cooperation.

Emphasising Pakistan’s status as a peace-loving nation, the air chief reaffirmed the country’s enduring sacrifices and notable operational achievements in the global war on terror, while also outlining Pakistan’s evolving security calculus in response to the rapidly shifting regional geopolitical landscape.

The landmark visit not only reaffirmed Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to promoting regional and global peace, but also laid the groundwork for renewed institutional collaboration, strategic dialogue and enhanced interoperability between Pakistan Air Force and the United States Air Force.