Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar has warned that the government could withdraw troops from the Afghan border where they are fighting insurgents if the US does not reinstate $800 million in military aid, which has been suspended due to bilateral irritants.
He hinted this in an interview to a private media channel. He said that he government might pull back the forces from the border areas, as Pakistan could not afford to keep troops at 1,100 checkpoints near western borders. He explained that if at all things became difficult, the government would just get all the forces back.
He said that in his opinion if the government does not receive reimbursement of $300 million, then the next step would be that the government or the armed forces would be moving from the border areas. He said, "We cannot afford to keep military out in the mountains for such a long period." Around 100,000 troops are deployed in the tribal areas, where they are engaged in operations against Taliban and al Qaeda. Relations between the two countries have been tense since they were forced into an awkward alliance in the aftermath of 9/11.
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf also predicted dire consequences from the recent US decision to suspend 800 million dollars of military aid to Pakistan. "Certainly, it will be disastrous," The Wall Street Journal quoted Musharraf as saying during a speech at Rice University. He said it was not in the best interest of Pakistan, but also not in the best interest of the United States. "If Pakistan is weakened, how could we fight terrorism?" he reportedly questioned.
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