US told to leave Shamsi airbase

ISLAMABAD (- Pakistan told the United States to leave a remote desert airbase used as a hub for covert CIA drone attacks, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said Wednesday. His remarks are the latest indication of Pakistan attempting to limit US activities since a clandestine American military raid killed Osama bin Laden on May 2 and plunged ties between the anti-terror allies into chaos. We have told them (US officials) to leave the airbase, Mukhtar told a group of journalists in his office. This trust deficit with US could be reduced by sitting together and taking joint actions, he added. Asked about Omar, Mukhtar said: If he was in Pakistan, even then, he would have left the country after the Abbottabad incident. Mukhtar said that he supported negotiations with the Taliban to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan. Mukhtar said the trust between the US and Pakistan has reduced to a great extent after May 02 incident. This trust deficit could be reduced by sitting together and taking joint actions, he said. The minister pointed out that Coalition Support Fund had stopped its funding for the war on terror being fought in FATA and as a result, this war was harming our economy. To a question about bringing drastic changes in the defence doctrine of the country, he said After September 11 incident, the entire world has changed, so there is a need to change our defence strategy which remained eastern border oriented for decades. There seems to be no threat over there. He, however, said that the policy matters should be discussed in the Defence Committee of the Parliament. Mukthar said that no one including Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI Director General Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha is indispensible for Pakistan, adding the countrys civilian and military leadership are mulling to change its defence policy keeping in view the current situation. Responding to a question, he said there was no need to change the military leadership in the backdrop of Abbottabad incident. The ISI Director General had presented himself before the Parliament and offered resignation, but the parliamentarians reposed confidence into him, he added. He said several people were detained during the war on terror but no decision has so far been taken that who would conduct their trial. The minister said that efforts should be made for rehabilitation of these people. When asked about safety of Pakistan nuclear assets, he said, Our nuclear assets are safe and are being well maintained. US Senator John Kerry had assured Pakistani leadership that US had no designs against Pakistans nuclear and strategic assets, he added. To a question regarding Pak-Russia defence cooperation, he said, it would depend on the results of forthcoming presidential elections in Russia. He, however, said that Russia wanted to have better relations with Pakistan. The minister said widows and children of Osama bin Laden were in custody of the government and they would be sent to the country of their choice as early as possible. Mukhtar said that he was in favour of negotiations with Taliban leaders in a bid to find out a solution to the problem. The time has come to sit together with serious people on both sides of Pak-Afghan border, he added. He said a budget has been prepared to purchase defence equipment till year 2025. To a question about Gwadar Port, he clarified that the Prime Minister had asked the Chinese leadership to help us in making the port functional and they responded that they would take the responsibility after the completion of contract of port with Singapore. He urged the international community not to neglect countrys sacrifices in war against terrorism. Replying to a query, he said the fate of those who were detained under anti terrorism act has not been decided. I dont know so far whether they would be tried in military courts or civil courts, he said. Mukhtar said the time had come for Pakistans terrorism policy to be revised.

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