ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa hassaid the return of the refugees is prerequisite in a bid to help thePakistani forces deny safe havens to the Afghan militants.
Speaking to the US CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel, the Pakistani ArmyChief said “Pakistan is fully aware of US concerns on activities of Afghannationals in Pakistan and we are already undertaking multiple actionsthrough Operation ‘Radd ul Fasaad’ to deny any residual capacity toterrorists of all hue and colour for which return of Afghan Refugees is anessential prerequisite.
Pakistan is also strengthening border controls unilaterally but ifAfghanistan genuinely feels affected from Pakistan, bilateral bordermanagement must be Kabul’s top priority as well.”
The Pakistani military in a statement said Gen. Votel apprised COAS aboutthe US decision regarding Security Assistance and Coalition Support Fundand said that US values Pakistan’s role towards war on terror and expectedthat on-going turbulence remains a temporary phase.
The statement further added that the top US General also conveyed COAS thatUS is not contemplating any unilateral action inside Pakistan but isseeking cooperation to tackle Afghan nationals who, in US view, usePakistan’s soil against Afghanistan.
“This view, he felt, was undermining in Washington, Pakistan’scontributions in war against terrorism. COAS said that entire Pakistanination felt betrayed over US recent statements despite decades ofcooperation.
Accordingly unanimous national response reflected the same sentiments.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 bring it to its logical conclusionalong with other stake holders. COAS said that Pakistan has suffered hugelydue to great power contestation in the region,” he added.
According to the Pakistani military, the Chief of the Army Staff reiteratedthat Pakistan will not seek resumption of aid but expect honourablerecognition of our contributions, sacrifices and unwavering resolve infight 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.