ISLAMABAD – Pakistan will not seek release of the suspended US military aidas it no longer considers it “crucial”, diplomatic sources said.
Senior officials at the foreign ministry told The Nation, that Pakistanwanted to “live on” without the US aid. One official said: “There have beencontacts. We have discussed how to improve the ties but not a single timedid we speak about the release of the suspended aid. We don’t think it iscrucial anymore.”
Another official said: “The top bosses have asked us [diplomats] to discussties with the US but do not mention the aid. We don’t want it [the money]now.”
He said the US was seeking guarantees from Pakistan to “target theterrorists indiscriminately” for the release of the funds. “We [Pakistan]have told them [the US] that we are fighting all the terrorists but don’twant to beg for the aid. Having said this, back-channel efforts are on todefuse Pak-US tension,” the official added.
This month, US President Donald Trump said the US was suspending aid toPakistan for allegedly deceiving Pakistan in the war on terror.
Pakistan has rejected US allegations that it was not taking action againstall the terror networks and also questioned Trump’s claim of giving $33billion to Pakistan as security assistance.
Islamabad said it had fought the anti-terror war largely from its ownresources for the sake of the country’s and global peace. Islamabad is alsoconsidering blocking supplies to the US forces in Afghanistan through thePak-Afghan border as retaliation to Washington’s hostile attitude.
Senior officials at the foreign ministry said Pakistan was “consideringthis option” but there “has been no decision as yet.”
The US uses military supply lines that run food and equipment from Pakistanto Afghanistan.
Reports said that the US was “watching for Pakistan’s next moves” as thetwo countries struggle to retain the relationship.
This week, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis told journalists that Pakistanhad not indicated to shut off ground supply lines, or air over-flights.