ISLAMABAD, Oct 23, (Asia Free Press): Pakistan has categorically denied the rumours of providing about the formalization of an agreement to use Pakistan’s airspace by the United States to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan, reported state-run media.
The Spokesperson stated that no such understanding was in place.
In an interview with Jonathan Swan, Pakistani Premier Imran Khan, while replying to the query about allowing the U.S. to have CIA in Pakistan to conduct cross-border counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, said, “Absolutely not. There is no way we will allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Not.”
In June, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated that Pakistan would not give any military base to the United States. He went on to say Pakistan would look after its interests, indicating that granting basing rights to the U.S. is not considered advantageous.
Pakistan and the U.S. have longstanding cooperation on regional security and counter-terrorism, and the two sides remain engaged in regular consultations.
In the past, Pakistan permitted the U.S. to utilize its bases which increased its security concerns and inside political tussles.
