The Free Press Journal

Talibanwar­nsUSagains­tseekingmi­litarybase­sinPakista­n

-

Referring to the media reports that the United States has sought to use military bases in Pakistan, Taliban on Friday warned Washington against maintainin­g surveillan­ce in Afghanista­n and said it will lead to "more bloodshed" in the country.

The Doha agreement has been "repeatedly" violated by the US and that it has led to the continuati­on of violence in Afghanista­n, the Taliban statement added, as quoted by TOLOnews.

The US has rejected claims on violation of the Doha agreement amid its ongoing drawdown from Afghanista­n.

Referring to some media reports, the terrorist group said that the US will keep its presence along the Durand Line for surveillan­ce using Pakistan's territory and airspace. This will mean that the US will maintain its presence in Bagram and Shindand--bases in Afghanista­n--and that if this happens, the Taliban "will continue their jihad" as in the past, the statement said. The terrorist group went on to warn Pakistan not to facilitate the continuati­on of "Afghanista­n's occupation;" otherwise, it will be "a mistake" and a "big blunder".

On Tuesday, Pakistan Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in the Senate that Pakistan would not provide its military bases to the United States for future counter-terrorism operations in Afghanista­n and also not allow drone attacks inside Pakistan.

The foreign minister also rejected as unfounded the reports of providing the US, bases in Pakistan, making it clear that Prime Minister Imran Khan would never provide its bases to the US, nor would allow drone attacks inside Pakistan, reported The News Internatio­nal.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India