Pakistan wants its sacrifices acknowledged, not money: DG ISPR

Ag Agencies

ISLAMABAD/ WASHINGTON: Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor on Tuesday said Pakistan did not fight the war on terror for money and the country only needs acknowledgement of its sacrifices and contributions.

He was giving Pakistan Army reaction over US President Donald Trump statement in Geo News programme Capital Talk. “As far as money is concerned, by giving Pakistan $50 billion or so since 1947, that is not our price. If assistance by America has been given to us in the security domain, that is their national interest and being a superpower, they have defence cooperation with countries across the world.”

“But making some payments over the war on terror and then saying they are making heavy payments, Pakistan is not fighting for money,” said the Army spokesman. Donald Trump, in a new security policy, issued on Monday, had insisted that Pakistan take a “decisive action against militant and terrorist groups operating from its soil.”

He added that lately the government and the army chief have given statements over the issue as well. “We need nothing from the US, but acknowledgements for our contributions, our sacrifices and our efforts for peace in the region,” stated the major general.

Referring to the start of the war, DG ISPR said, “We all know how the war on terror was started and how it was imposed upon us and we have made it our war in the interests of our country.” “We did whatever we had to in the interest of Pakistan and what we do in the future will also be in our interests,” said the Army spokesman.

He added that Afghanistan’s war will not be fought again on Pakistani soil and there have been plenty of discussions on what measures need to be taken on the border and regarding coordination.

When asked about the US policy giving an upper hand to India in the region, Ghafoor said the US being a superpower has its own interests in the region and relations with sovereign nations. “But one line which has been clarified to them from Pakistan is that, any policy which compromises Pakistan’s national interest will not be right,” stated the Army spokesman.

He said if Afghanistan has Indian involvement, in Pakistan they [India] has anti-state involvement, for which we have proof, so American can give India any status but any role which gives India permission to work against Pakistan’s national interest, will not be acceptable to Pakistan.” Speaking of the Senate briefing given by General Bajwa, Ghafoor said legislators should be well aware of the security situation and it is good that certain things were cleared after today’s briefing.