ISLAMABAD – After Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan announcedto suspend military and intelligence cooperation with the US, the latterhas denied such reports.
The defence minister on Tuesday speaking at a meeting entitled “Contours ofSecurity Environment in Pakistan” said that the cooperation with the US hadbeen ended, adding that there was need to discuss every matter with the USon table.
The minister, however, added that, the supply lines for NATO troops inAfghanistan will not be closed.
On the other hand, US Embassy in Islamabad has rejected the claims of anysuspension. Talking to Voice of American Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsiresaid, “We have not received any formal communication regarding asuspension.”
Dastgir’s comments follow the irresponsible behaviour of the US, whoundermined the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan while supporting the US inAfghan war.
With the start of new year, US President Donald Trump took aim at Pakistanand accused it of being liar and deceitful. The fresh tirade by Trumpprompt stern response from Pakistan.
After his remarks, the US suspended military aid to Pakistan till theaction against the alleged safe havens of terrorists in Pakistan.
Khurram Dastgir Khan also added that the US was facing failure inAfghanistan war despite spending trillion dollars and redoubling thedeployment of soldiers in the war-torn country.
He reiterated earlier claims that Pakistan was being made scapegoat in thewar, adding, “We do not want price for cooperating with the US but seekacknowledgement for our sacrifices in the the war”.
“We would not allow Afghan war be fought on Pakistani soil, ” he said.
Commenting about US decision to withhold military aid, He said that suchmeasure had no significance for Pakistan.
An English daily quoted the minister as “At the same time, strategicdialogue between the two countries has also faced suspension for last twoyears. High level dialogues with US would not work until resumption andconsistency in working level dialogues”.
Talking about ties with India, the defence minister said that Pakistandesired amicable relations with its eastern neighbour, who is implementingthe Cold Start doctrine causing tension in the region.