RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa received phonecall from US Centcom Commander General Joseph Votel to discuss Pak-USsecurity cooperation following President Donald Trump’s tweet, the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
According to the ISPR, General Votel apprised the army chief about the USdecision regarding the US security assistance and coalition support fund.
“The general said that the US values Pakistan’s role towards thewar onterror and expected that the ongoing turbulence remains a temporary phase,”the ISPR said.
He also conveyed to the army chief that the US is not contemplating anyunilateral action inside Pakistan but is seeking cooperation to tackleAfghan nationals who, in his view, use Pakistan’s soil against Afghanistan,the ISPR informed.
“This view, he felt, was undermining in Washington Pakistan’s contributionsin the war against terrorism,” the ISPR statement added further.
According to the ISPR, the COAS said that the entire Pakistani nation feltbetrayed over recent US statements despite decades of cooperation.Accordingly, Pakistan’s unanimous national response reflected the samesentiments.
COAS said that Pakistan shall continue its sincere counter terrorismefforts even without US financial support in accordance with our nationalinterest and shall remain committed to brnig it to its logical conclusionalong with other stakeholders. COAS said that has suffered hugely due togreat power contestation in the region. He said that Pakistan is fullyaware of US ocncerns on activities of Afghan nationals in Pakistan and weare already undertaking multiple actions through Operation Raddul Fasaad todeny any residual capacity to terrorists of all hue and colour for whichreturn of Asghan Refugees is an essential prerequisite. Pakistan is alsostrengthening border controls unilaterlay but if Afghanistan genuinelyfeels affected from Pakistan, bilateral border management must be Kabul’stop priority as well.
COAS reiterated that Pakistan will not seek resumption of aid but expecthonourable recognition of our contributions, sacrifices and unwaveringresolve in fight against terrorism for peace and stability in the region.COAS further said that Pakistan will keep supporting all initiatives forpeace in Afghanistan despite the tendency to scapegoat Pakistan, as peacein Afghanistan is the only way to move towards enduring peace and stabilityin the region.
General Joseph L. Votel acknowledged the effectiveness of some of therecent actions taken by Pakistan to ensure that Pakistan’s hospitality toAfghan Refugees is not misused in anyway. General Joseph L. Votel agreedthat both countries stand to gain from cooperative engagement.