ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari this week conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) award on United States Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General Michael E. Kurilla for promoting military cooperation between the two states, state-run media said.
Kurilla arrived in Pakistan to attend a rare regional defense conference on Saturday in which officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan also took part.
Zardari conferred the award on General Kurilla during a formal investiture ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported, acknowledging his “outstanding contributions” to regional security and his dedicated efforts in strengthening strategic defense ties between the two countries.
“The award has been given in recognition of his exemplary service and pivotal role in advancing enduring military cooperation between Pakistan and the US,” Radio Pakistan said.
The state media credited Kurilla’s leadership for fostering mutual understanding, enhancing defense collaboration and deepening counterterrorism cooperation between Pakistan’s armed forces and CENTCOM.
