Leave drone attack base now, Pakistan tells US army

Pakistan told the United States to leave a remote desert air base Shamsi airbase in Balochistan reportedly used as a hub for covert CIA drone attacks, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar was quoted by state media as saying Wednesday. "We have told them (US officials) to leave the air base," national news agency APP quoted Mukhtar as telling a group of journalists in his office. A US embassy spokeswoman told AFP there were no US military personnel at the Shamsi base.
Our Islamabad staff reporter Wasim Iqbal adds: The government needs to revisit its policy on war on terror due to escalating cost of military operations against militants on western borders as the US may further delay or reduce aid to Pakistan after Abbottabad incident. This was stated by Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar during an informal talk with journalists here on Wednesday. He said the US would withdraw its forces from Shamsi Airbase soon while Ghazi Airbase has completely been taken back by Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
The minister categorically rejected the rumours that the US was conspiring to take out the nuclear arsenal of the country. Recalling a meeting with Senator John Kerry, he said: "I am ready to write it down with my blood that the US is not after Pakistan's nuclear assets."
The minister said Pak economy is largely dependent on aid coming from the US but there is every likelihood of [US] reducing its support as relations between the countries are tense following US Seals operation in Abbottabad. Mukhtar said that the government has to bear the military expenses for conducting operation against terrorists on western boarder from its own resources due to delay in release of CSF by the US.
"This is becoming really difficult for us [Pakistan]...and this can not be sustained any longer...we have to fight the war against terror jointly as we have a common enemy," he maintained. The minister said the US has agreed to replace three P-3 Orion airplanes after terrorists torched two of the surveillance aircraft during an attack on PNS Mehran in Karachi while another sunk at sea.
He also stressed the need to change defence strategy of the country, keeping in view the current requirements. Conventionally, Pakistan recognises an external threat from our Eastern Boarder but its dimensions have now changed altogether. "It is the responsibility of the Defence Committee of Cabinet to change the defence doctrine given the current scenario," he added. He rejected the US claim that Mullah Omar was hiding in Pakistan, saying the government had no information about his presence in the country. "First of all, this is absurd to say that Mullah Omar could be taking refuge in Pakistan after OBL's killing," he added.
Replying to a question, Mukhtar said the parliament is the supreme body and during the in camera briefing to parliamentarians on Abbottabad incident, ISI DG Ahmed Shuja Pasha surrendered to the parliament. He said wherever the US has undertaken Abbottabad type unilateral actions, it has not taken the country in which the operation is launched into confidence. The unilateral Seals operation against Osama was kept as secret even from the UK, the closest ally of the US.
Replying to a question, the minister revealed that the widows and children of OBL would be repatriated to their home countries in 10 days. However, the government did not receive any formal request from any foreign country for their return. To another question, he said Chinese Prime Minister had assured his full support to get the Gwadar Port operational. On the request of Prime Minister Gilani during his recent visit to China, China had assured that once the development of Gwadar port contract is successfully completed, China would consider signing another project to get the port operational. The government is not getting a single penny for allowing the fuel and non-military supply via Pakistan to Nato/Isaf troops fighting in Afghanistan against the insurgents.
"Musharraf permitted the US to use this route via Pakistan to Afghanistan for the supply of fuel and non-military items to combat forces of Nato/Isaf," he said. He said 3000 youths, trained by terrorist organisations to carry out terrorist activities in the country, that are in detention would be sent to rehabilitation centers.