US asked to leave Shamsi airbase: Mukhtar

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar said on Wednesday that 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 while talking to newspersons here at his office.

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 the decades."

He, however, said that the policy matters should be discussed in the Defence Committee of the Parliament.

Responding to a question, he said there was no need to change the military leadership in the backdrop of Abbottabad incident.

"The Director General ISI had presented himself before the Parliament and offered resignation, but the Parliamentarian reposed confidence into him," he added.

He, however, said that nobody was indispensable.

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.

To a question about Shamsi airbase, he said,"We have told them (the US officials) to leave the airbase."

When asked about safety of Pakistan nuclear assets, he said, "Our nuclear assets are safe and are being well maintained."

He said a top American leader has also assured that the US was not concerned about Pakistan nuclear weapons.

Regarding a question about presence of Mullah Omar in Pakistan, he said,"If he was in Paksitan, even then, he would have left the country after the Abbottabad incident."

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 informed that widows and children of Osama bin Laden are in custody of the government and they would sent to the country of their choice as early as possible.

Ahmed 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 the both sides of Pak-Afghan border," he added.

He said a budget has been prepared to purchase defence equipments till year 2025.

To a question about Gawadar 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.