ISLAMABAD – Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa received twotelephone calls from Commander US Central Command General Joseph Votel andone from a US Senator over the week to discuss Pak-US security cooperationpost the President Trump tweet.
General Joseph apprised the army chief about the US decision regardingSecurity Assistance and Coalition Support Fund.
The General said that US values Pakistan’s role towards war on terror andexpected that on-going turbulence remains a temporary phase.
He also conveyed the army chief that US is not contemplating any unilateralaction inside Pakistan but is seeking cooperation to tackle Afghannationals who, in US view, use Pakistan’s soil against Afghanistan.
He felt that the view was undermining in Washington, Pakistan’scontributions in war against terrorism.
The Chief of the Army Staff said that entire Pakistani nation felt betrayedover US recent statements despite decades of cooperation. Accordinglyunanimous national response reflected the same sentiments.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that Pakistan shall continue its sincerecounter terrorism efforts even without US financial support in accordancewith our national interest and shall remain committed to bring it to itslogical conclusion along with other stake holders.
The army chief said that Pakistan has suffered hugely due to great powercontestation in the region. He said that Pakistan is fully aware of USconcerns on activities of Afghan nationals in Pakistan and we are alreadyundertaking multiple actions through Operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ to deny anyresidual capacity to terrorists of all hue and colour for which return ofAfghan Refugees is an essential prerequisite.
He said Pakistan is also strengthening border controls unilaterally but ifAfghanistan genuinely feels affected from Pakistan, bilateral bordermanagement must be Kabul’s top priority as well.
General Bajwa reiterated that Pakistan will not seek resumption of aid butexpect honourable recognition of our contributions, sacrifices andunwavering resolve in fight against terrorism for peace and stability inthe region.
He said that Pakistan will keep supporting all initiatives for peace inAfghanistan despite the tendency to scapegoat Pakistan, as peace inAfghanistan is the only way to move towards enduring peace and stability inthe region.
General Joseph acknowledged the effectiveness of some of the recent actionstaken by Pakistan to ensure that Pakistan’s hospitality to Afghan Refugeesis not misused in anyway. General Joseph agreed that both countries standto gain from cooperative engagement.