Pak military denies plan of US unilateral action
AFP
ISLAMABAD: US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel has assured the head of Pakistans army that Washington is not contemplating any unilateral action inside the country, a statement from the Pakistani military said Friday, reports AFP.
Votel, who spoke to General Qamar Javed Bajwa by telephone over the week, also said that the on-going turbulence around a tweet by Donald Trump suspending aid to the country was a temporary phase, according to the statement.
The statement came after Trump froze up to $1.9 billion in funding to Pakistan, in a move designed to force its military and intelligence apparatus to halt its support for the Afghan Taliban and other Islamist groups.
The move, first announced by Trump in a New Years Day tweet, sparked indignation in Pakistan, which has long denied the US accusations of militant support, and accused Washington of dismissing the sacrifices it has made in the war on extremism.
It also ignited speculation that the US could resume drone strikes or launch operations along Pakistans border with Afghanistan, where militant groups once operated with impunity.
The Pakistani military said both Votel and an unnamed US senator phoned Bajwa to discuss security cooperation over the week.
The General said that US values Pakistans role towards war on terror and expected that on-going turbulence remains a temporary phase, the statement said.
Votel also told Bajwa the US is not contemplating any unilateral action inside Pakistan, it continued.
For his part Bajwa told Votel that the entire Pakistani nation felt betrayed over the US statements, but insisted Pakistan would continue to support peace efforts in the region despite being made a scapegoat.
He also said that Pakistan would not seek to unfreeze the funding, but does expect honourable recognition of our contributions, sacrifices and unwavering resolve in fight against terrorism.
