ISLAMABAD: Finally, it has come publically from the highest level in Islamabad for Biden administeration in Washington that Pakistan will not give it its air bases to use its drones to attack on its targets in Afghanistan in post withdrawal times.
“No I will not accept US demand to give it bases in Pakistan in post withdrawal times to hit its targets inside Afghanistan”, PM said this in his interview with HBO, an American TV.
HBO had interviewed prime minister, Imran Khan, in Islamabad on several international issues with main focus on US withdrawal from Afghanistan, possible post US withdrawal scenario in Afghanistan and Islamabad’s role in the new situation.
According to NEWSMAN well -placed sources, Pakistan had denied handing over two airbases close to Pak-Afghan border to US to conduct drone attacks on its targets inside Afghanistan during recent high level contacts between Washington and Islamabad.
Pakistan had conveyed to a high level official of Biden administeration who visited Islamabad and held meetings with top political and military leadership some weeks ago that it, in no circumstances, will give its any base to US to attack drones inside Afghanistan.
“We can not allow US to use our air space , bases or any other facility to attack in Afghanistan and the final decision to this effect was conveyed to Biden adminisetration some one month back “, a senior government official in Islamabad said in his comments on prime minister, Imran Khan’s interview with HBO.
After failing in persuading Islamabad to accept its demand for handing over bases to use for drones attacks, Biden adminsteration had used its influence on some countries to which it believes Islamabad can not deny any demand.
One of those countries known for ‘good relations’ with US did tried to use its influence to get required facility for US, but, according to NEWSMAN sources, Pakistan politly refused to reconsider its decision to give bases to US.
Prime minister, Imran Khan, had been strong opponent of Pakistan’s policy of Musharaf’s regime to be a party to US and its allies parties for wagging war on Afghaniatan. He had clear views that Pakistan had inflicted huge financial and human loss by becoming party with US for war on Afghanistan.
In a number of times, he publically announced had he been in power in Musharraf’s times, he would have not allowed US and NATO forces to use its soil for war on Afghanistan.
He declared many times in public that It was US not Pakistan’s war in Afghanistan and Musharraf’s decision to join into that war caused irriparable loss to Pakistan.
US unceremonial withdrawal from Afghanistan has broght Pakistan and US face to face. Both stand on opposite poles now on many issues.
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In the given situation, prime minister, Imran Khan’s big NO to US for handing over bases has many dimensions. It set a high end position for Imran Khan and so for Pakistan.
This decision also will dictate Pakistan ‘s foreign policy at least as long as Imran Khan is in power in Pakistan.
It also established that today’s Pakistan is different from Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari’s times.
