Pakistan spent $1.9 billion on Zarb-e-Azb, IDPs so far: FO

FO spokesperson says Pakistan has met these expenditures from its own resources

Pakistan said on Friday $1.9 billion dollars have so far been spent on the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb and return of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“Pakistan has met these expenditures from its own resources,” Foreign Office spokesperson said, during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

“The Coalition Support Fund (CSF) is reimbursement of the expenditures Pakistan incurred before the start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb,” the spokesperson added.

Further, he said talks with the US authorities for the release of CSF fund are underway.

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The remarks come amid uncertainty on whether the US would release $300 million in military aid to Pakistan, which is dependent on US government certification that Pakistan is targeting the Haqqanis.

Earlier, it was reported United States may withhold hundreds of millions of dollars owed to Pakistan for its efforts in the war against terror over concerns that its military is not doing enough to crack down on the Haqqani Network. However, premier’s senior aide Sartaj Aziz responded to US concerns saying that the militants have been weakened by an army offensive and now operate mostly out of Afghanistan.

Read: Coalition Support Fund: US warns final $300m could be withheld

Further, Khalilullah said, “ Operation Zarb-e-Azb has met with resounding success and actions have been taken against all terrorists without any discrimination. There is no distinction between good and bad terrorists.”

Responding to a question regarding scheduled meeting between director generals of Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force this month, he said it is still intact.

Further, the spokesperson said, “Pakistan is committed to promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan for the best interest of the two countries as well as the region.”

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“Pakistan fully supports Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. It is upto Afghanistan to take next step in this regard, and Pakistan remains ready to facilitate,” he added.

Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz who is in Kabul to attend the 6th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan will also push for a restart of peace talks.

“Pakistan, at the meetings, will also raise its concerns relating to security of its embassy's officials in the prevailing charged anti-Pakistan atmosphere in Afghanistan,” he added.

Read: Sartaj Aziz to share ‘compelling’ data with Afghanistan

Further, the FO spokesperson said, “Aziz will also stress the need to stop anti-Pakistan campaign that has been visible for sometime in Afghanistan as it will be counter-productive and will not serve the interests of the people of the two countries. “

“Pakistani side will convey that it is committed to maintaining friendly, brotherly and good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan,” he added.