News Desk: In a move rich in diplomatic significance, Pakistan on Saturday conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military)—its highest military award for foreign dignitaries—on General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), signaling a renewed thrust in strategic defence and counterterror cooperation between the two nations.
The honour was presented by President Asif Ali Zardari at a formal ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where General Kurilla received a Tri-Services Guard of Honour. The official citation praised his “exceptional contributions to regional peace, counterterrorism efforts, and the enhancement of US-Pakistan military relations.”
General Kurilla’s Pakistan visit is being seen as a crucial engagement amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. During high-level meetings with President Zardari and Army Chief General Asim Munir, the CENTCOM commander held talks focused on evolving regional security threats, joint military collaboration, and deepening counterterrorism cooperation.
Significantly, Kurilla had recently described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in the global fight against terrorism—a rare and strong endorsement at a time when Islamabad’s counterterror record is often viewed with skepticism by Western observers.
The conferment of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) not only acknowledges Kurilla’s personal role in cementing bilateral military ties but also serves as a subtle diplomatic message that Pakistan remains a key strategic ally in Washington’s regional security calculus, especially in the backdrop of renewed Taliban activity and growing unrest in Afghanistan.
