ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has said no to the US officials to their demand for a military base for intelligence reconnaissance of militant movement across the Pak-Afghan border and counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, The Nation learned reliably.

Highly credible sources told The Nation that CIA Chief WJ Burns visited Pakistan in the recent days, and Pakistan agreed to provide counter-terrorism cooperation to the US officials but straightaway told the US spymaster that airbases could not be given.

“Americans wanted just one base close to the Pak-Afghan border in KPK and Balochistan, but we refused to give them citing security consequences for such arrangements,” a top Pakistani official confided on the condition of anonymity.

However, it was agreed to restore intelligence-sharing cooperation for countering terrorism in the post-US forces withdrawal period between Pakistan and the US. The sources said both the countries would share intelligence on such operations.

The official said the US would be using its aircraft carrier for fighter jets only, but it’s quite difficult to manage and operate drones from an aircraft carrier. For such operations, a proper base is required, which Pakistan refused to give away. Pakistan suggested to the US officials that drone operations could be given to its control. Still, the US side did not agree and wanted complete control of drone operations, which is unacceptable to Pakistan. 

However, the US officials agreed to enhanced intelligence cooperation from Pakistan and joint efforts for counter-terrorism operations.