ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has rejected reports stating that the United States was nearing an agreement with Pakistan for allowing the use of its airspace to carry out military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan.
In response to media queries regarding latest news report, the spokesperson stated that “no such understanding was in place”. It added, “Pakistan and the US have longstanding cooperation on regional security and counter-terrorism and the two sides remain engaged in regular consultations.”
The statement cames after it was reported that the United States is nearing a formalised agreement with Pakistan for using its airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan.
A renowned US-based channel cited three sources familiar with the details of a classified briefing with members of US Congress that took place on Friday morning.
It states that the Biden administration has told lawmakers that the US is nearing a formalised agreement with Pakistan for use of its airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan.
READ MORE: US close to agreement with Pakistan for using airspace against Afghanistan: Reports
According to the report, a source said Pakistan has expressed a desire to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in exchange for assistance with its own counterterrorism efforts and help in managing the relationship with India.
The report said the negotiations are ongoing and the terms of the agreement have not been finalised and could still change. Another source told the US channel that an agreement was discussed when US officials visited Pakistan, but it remains unclear what Pakistan wants or how much the US would be willing to give in return.
The US military currently uses Pakistan’s airspace to reach Afghanistan as part of ongoing intelligence-gathering efforts, but there is no formal agreement in place to ensure continued access. The air corridor through Pakistan to Afghanistan is even more critical if the US resumes flights into Kabul to evacuate American citizens and others remaining in the country.
With no formal agreement currently in place, the US runs the risk of Pakistan refusing entry to US military aircraft and drones to Afghanistan. The US Defense Department does not comment on closed briefings due to security classifications.
