Islamabad denied US chance to ask for bases: Moeed

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf has said Pakistan has not given an opportunity to the United States to demand airbases after withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In an interview with a private news channel, Moeed Yusuf said it was quite logical that the US would be in search of airbases after withdrawal from Afghanistan. And then, he said, an article appeared in New York Times about this issue and Pakistan had to clarify its position. He said Pakistan’s position is that it cannot provide airbases to US.

He said the New York Times story was not a coincidence as it created an atmosphere and Pakistan had to clarify its position on the issue. He said after Pakistan’s clear position, no one from the US would come and talk about it. He said the world should not consider Pakistan ‘free for all’. He said Pakistan is in contact with rest of the world over fast changing situation in Afghanistan.