WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has approved the resumption of the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program for Pakistan, said Alice Wells, the US assistant secretary for South and Central Asia.
The IMET is a United States security assistance program aimed to enhance regional stability through mutually beneficial relations. Visiting troops are also given English language training assistance.
This will be the first joint military exercise between the US and Pakistan under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.
Wells said the resumption of the programme will strengthen military-to-military cooperation between both countries and advance American national security.
It comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo telephoned Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss the security of the region after a US air strike in Baghdad killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani on Friday.
According to Mike Pompeo, he told General Bajwa that Iran’s actions in the region were “destabilizing” and the United States’ “resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners will not waver”.
Read more: Mike Pompeo phones Gen Bajwa to discuss killing of Soleimani
