Islamabad: Pakistan does not need US
military trainers for its counter-terrorism operations, ISI
chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha conveyed to his CIA counterpart during
his recent fence-mending visit to the US following escalation
of tensions between the two sides.
The US recently suspended USD 800 million of its
military assistance to Pakistan after the latter expelled
American military trainers from the country in the aftermath
of Osama bin Laden`s killing by US personnel in Abbottabad.
According to a report in The Nation daily, General
Pasha told CIA Acting Director Michael Morrel that Pakistan
will not allow resending a number of US military trainers sent
back in the wake of the May 2 Abbotabbad raid.
However, military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told
the media yesterday that resumption of military aid was not on
the agenda of Pasha`s visit.
He said Pasha had a one-on-one meeting with Morrell
during which a range of intelligence issues were discussed and
"both sides focused more on the way forward".
Pasha also reportedly told the CIA chief that in
future the visit of US military personnel to Pakistan would be
subjected to ISI clearance.
The paper said that the ISI director general told the
army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on his return that the US
leadership had assured him that they would respect Pakistan`s
sovereignty.
PTI
