ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani Foreign Office clarified on Monday there was noUS military or airbase in Pakistan and no such proposal was underconsideration.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in a press release,“Any speculation on this account was baseless and irresponsible and shouldbe avoided”.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan and the US have a framework ofcooperation in terms of Air Lines of Communication (ALOC) and Ground Linesof Communication (GLOC) in place since 2001. No new agreement has been madein this regard, he added.

Reports are rife that US forces have begun construction of a military baseacross the Durand Line amid withdrawal of international troops fromAfghanistan. According to the reports, the base is being built at Shalozan,Kurram Agency, Pakistani tribal area bordering Afghanistan.

US President Joe Biden in April ordered withdrawal of all troops fromAfghanistan by September 11.

The reports were apparently an outcome of a statement of a Pentagonofficial who while giving briefing to US lawmakers said that Pakistan hadallowed the US military to have overflight and access to support itspresence in Afghanistan.

David F Helvey, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Affairs,told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Saturday that the US governmentwill continue to engage Pakistan due to its significant role in the Afghanpeace process.

“We will continue our conversations with Pakistan because their support andcontribution to the future of Afghanistan, to future peace in Afghanistan,is going to be critical,” he added.

Source:link