PAK ARMY CHIEF SAYS COUNTRY ‘BETRAYED’ BY U.S. CRITICISM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa told a top American general that the nation “felt betrayed” by criticism that it isn’t doing enough to fight terrorism, against the backdrop of the suspension of security-related aid worth $2 billion by the US.

Bajwa further said Pakistan wouldn’t ask for restoration of the financial assistance but it expects “honourable recognition” of its contributions to the war on terror.

Over the week, Gen Joseph L Votel, head of the US Central Command, phoned Bajwa twice to discuss bilateral security cooperation following Donald Trump’s tweet accusing Islamabad of “lies and deceit” in the war on terror. Bajwa also received a call from a US senator.

The Pakistani military’s media arm said in a statement Votel apprised Bajwa about the US decision regarding suspension of security assistance and reimbursements from the Coalition Support Fund.

The statement quoted Bajwa as saying that the “entire Pakistani nation felt betrayed over US recent statements despite decades of cooperation”. He added, “Accordingly, (the) unanimous national response reflected the same sentiments.”

Bajwa “reiterated that Pakistan will not seek resumption of aid but expect honourable recognition of our contributions, sacrifices and unwavering resolve in (the) fight against terrorism for peace and stability in the region”.