‘Pakistan will not give airbases to US’: General Bajwa

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday said Pakistan will not give airbases to the United States (US) if the government has decided against it.

According to an official statement issued after the security briefing held on Thursday, the session was informed that Pakistan played a highly positive and responsible role in the Afghan peace process.

“Pakistan’s efforts paved the way for dialogue between Afghan factions and warring groups,” the meeting was told, while it was also noted that due to Islamabad’s efforts, meaningful talks have begun between the US and the Taliban.

“Sustained peace and stability in Afghanistan will lead to stability in South Asia,” the meeting was informed.

The participants were further told that Pakistan would welcome a government that was truly representative of the Afghan people and that it would continue its responsible role for peace in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan’s territory is not being used in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan […] and we hope that Afghanistan’s land is not used against Pakistan,” the DG ISI had reportedly said during the session.

A meeting of the National Security Committee was held on Thursday. Army chief and heads of security institutions participated in the meeting. A briefing on Kashmir, Afghanistan, and internal security challenges was under discussion.

It should be recalled that the government had turned down a US request for setting up drone bases in Pakistan for future counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan had in his speech that Pakistan could be partner with the United States in peace, but not in conflict.