With the presence of the likely US advisory staff there, anything could be possible.
RAWALPINDI: While the US has denied any US army presence for the construction of a “tactical command and ops centre” at Karachi’s Jinnah Airport, the fact remains that it could easily be converted into, say, a forward operation base.
Ostensibly, this compound will provide the Pakistan Customs’s Drug Enforcement Cell a nerve centre for exchanging information concerning smuggling activities. The US Embassy has clarified that it will “support the officers, staff, and equipment of the Pakistan Customs Drug Enforcement Cell and Rummaging and Patrolling Sections” and that the project “will enable coordinated quick-response to constantly evolving narcotics and contraband smuggling tactics”.
However, with the presence of the likely US advisory staff there (so far which has been denied, but such denials can be taken with a pinch of salt), anything could be possible.
Col (retd) Riaz Jafri
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.
