Islamabad. Pakistan is entering into an agreement with the US on the use of its airspace for intelligence operations in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The Pakistan Foreign Office issued a statement in this regard and has denied this news.
A spokesman for the Pakistan government said on a formal agreement for the US to use Pakistan’s airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan, said no such talks were taking place.
The Pakistan Foreign Office clarified that no such discussion is taking place between the two countries. The spokesman, however, stressed that talks have been going on between Washington and Islamabad for long-standing cooperation in regional security and counter-terrorism. He said both sides are engaged in consultations with each other on regional security.
It cited three sources familiar with the details of a classifieds briefing held with members of the US Congress and said the Biden administration has informed US lawmakers that the country will enter into a formal agreement with Pakistan to use its airspace for operations in Afghanistan. Close to compromise.
That Pakistan had expressed its willingness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in exchange for assistance in its counter-terrorism operations and assistance in managing relations with India. According to a source, the talks are still going on and the details of the agreement, which are yet to be finalized, still have room for change, the report said.