By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
GENERAL Sahir Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan, has hailed Nigeria as a key regional force and a cornerstone of stability in Africa.
He made these remarks during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters in Abuja.
General Mirza praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their strength, growing prestige, and expanding influence both across Africa and globally. He highlighted Pakistan’s deep respect for the professionalism and resilience of Nigeria’s military, recognizing its vital role in maintaining peace and security in the region.
He emphasized that his visit reflected the enduring defence partnership between Pakistan and Nigeria, especially in areas such as counter-terrorism, peacekeeping missions, and military capacity-building.
He also showcased Pakistan’s defence production capabilities, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), trainer and combat aircraft, and air defence systems, and invited Nigeria’s air chief to Pakistan for further strategic talks.
In response, Air Marshal Abubakar acknowledged Pakistan’s significant role in strengthening Nigeria’s air capabilities, particularly through pilot training, aircraft supply, and logistical support.
He pointed to Nigeria’s own military training institutions as potential grounds for collaboration and expressed a strong interest in expanding cooperation in aircraft technology, R&D, and training programs.
The two military leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on ongoing projects involving aircraft platforms such as the JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak—critical to Nigeria’s military modernization agenda.
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