No ‘understanding in place’ for the US to use Pakistan airspace
Pakistan denied on Saturday that Islamabad and Washington had reached an agreement for the US to use its airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan.
In a previous interview with a foreign correspondent, Prime Minister Imran Khan stated unequivocally that Pakistan would “absolutely not” allow any bases or use of its territory for any action inside Afghanistan.
“Absolutely not. We will not allow any bases or military action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not.” In an interview with ‘Axios on HBO,’ the prime minister stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the latest news reports implying such an agreement, stating that “no such understanding was in place.”
“Pakistan and the United States have a long history of cooperation in regional security and counter-terrorism, and the two sides continue to consult regularly.”
Earlier, the opposition demanded that the government explain to the House why a senior Pentagon official claimed that Pakistan had allowed the US military to use its airspace to support its presence in Afghanistan.
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The newly formed Taliban government has also urged all countries, particularly the United States, to “act in accordance with international commitments and refrain from infringing on Afghanistan’s airspace.”
According to a statement issued by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), all countries are the sole owners of their states’ territorial and air sovereignty under international law, and “as a result, the Islamic Emirate, as Afghanistan’s sole legal entity, is the guardian of Afghanistan’s land and airspace.”
According to IEA officials, US drones are invading Afghanistan’s sacred airspace, and such violations must be corrected and prevented.
Under the guise of mutual respect and commitment to “prevent any negative consequences,” Afghanistan’s interim government has urged all countries to respect international laws.
The Taliban declared the Afghan war to be over after seizing control of Kabul on August 15.
