ISLAMABAD – Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday saidPakistan would not give airbases to the US.
He expressed these views while responding to questions put by politicalleaders who had attended a military and intelligence briefing toparliamentarians on national security and the Afghanistan situation.
“You should have put this question to the government. Why have you askedthis from me?” Gen Bajwa said when first questioned on the military’sposition on this issue. Later, the COAS stood by the government in sayingno base would be given to the US.
Pakistan publicly refused to give military bases to the US for operationsinside Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign forces from the war-torncountry.
Washington had requested Islamabad’s help to keep a check on the situationin Afghanistan and stop it from falling into the hands of terrorists.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan in his address on the floor of theNational Assembly had said Pakistan could be a partner in peace with the USbut not in conflict. He had underlined that Pakistan became a target formilitants when it joined the so-called US-led war against terror and sentits army into the tribal regions.
Briefing on Afghanistan
On Thursday, the military gave a detailed briefing to the politicalleadership on the worsening situation in the neighbouring country and itsimpact on Pakistan.
The meeting was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser andinvolved a briefing by the Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI) Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.
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Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director-Generalof the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Maj Gen Babar Iftikharwere also in attendance.
According to an official statement issued after the briefing, the sessionwas informed that Pakistan played a highly positive and responsible role inthe Afghan peace process.
“Pakistan’s efforts paved the way for dialogue between Afghan factions andwarring groups,” the meeting was told, while it was also noted that due toIslamabad’s efforts, meaningful talks have begun between the US and theTaliban.
“Sustained peace and stability in Afghanistan will lead to stability inSouth Asia,” the meeting was informed.
The participants were further told that Pakistan would welcome a governmentthat was truly representative of the Afghan people and that it wouldcontinue its responsible role for peace in Afghanistan.
“Pakistan’s territory is not being used in the ongoing conflict inAfghanistan […] and we hope that Afghanistan’s land is not used againstPakistan,” the DG ISI had said during the session.
