Pakistan Army powerful without US aid as well: ISPR DG
Aid suspension would not hinder Pakistans efforts to counter terrorism and extremism: military
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Asif Ghafoor Bajwa has stated on Friday that Pakistan Army is powerful force without aid of the United States (US) as well.
ISPR DG said in an interview with a US media outlet that putting Pakistan on watch list for religious freedom violations would affect cooperation between the two states over peace and security.
He asserted that Pakistan carried out operations against Haqqani network among all banned outfits. He said that doubting intent of Pakistan would affect joint efforts of peace and stability in the region. Suspension of the aid would adversely impact peace efforts in the region, he said.
However, aid suspension would not hinder Pakistan’s efforts to counter terrorism and extremism.
Pakistan never utilised resources in war on terror for money but for regional peace. Pakistan would continue sincere efforts for restoration of peace and national interest, he reiterated.
Anti-Pakistan moves
Earlier this week, US president Donald Trump called a halt to aid to Pakistan in one of his infamous Twitter posts.
The US President wrote that US foolishly gave over 33 billion dollars in aid to Pakistan over the past 15 years. He slammed Pakistan for only providing lies and deceit in reaction.
He said on Twitter, “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.”
Days later, US has put Pakistan on watch list for religious freedom violations and announced to suspend security assistance to Pakistan targeting Coalition Support Funds (CSF).
United States administration said it is suspending security assistance to Pakistan targeting the CSF that the US pays to Pakistan to reimburse it for its counter-terrorism operations.
"Today we can confirm that we are suspending security assistance only to Pakistan at this time," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert announced at a press briefing.
