Pakistan asks US for arms: Report

ISTANBUL

Pakistan asked the US to supply Islamabad with arms, a media report said Saturday.

The request was made during an event in Washington when the South Asian nation's top diplomat in the US, Masood Khan was addressing US policymakers, scholars, intelligentsia and corporate leaders, according to the Dawn newspaper.

"Pakistan has launched Azm-e-Istehkam ... to oppose and dismantle terrorist networks. For that, we need sophisticated small arms and communication equipment,” said Khan.

Islamabad announced last week the launch of a "reinvigorated" national counter-terrorism campaign to "eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country," known as Azm-e-Istehkam or determination for durability.

Khan, who is the former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, said: "This is crucial for regional security and opposing the rising tide of terrorism that also threatens the interests of the US and its allies."

The veteran diplomat noted that shared values, intertwined security and economic interests, and the aspirations of both peoples strengthen US-Pakistan ties.

“In this era of renewed strategic competition, the US and Pakistan should build on existing partnerships and explore new horizons to establish the parameters of mutual interests,” he said.

Khan suggested that the US should consider Pakistan a key partner in its diplomatic efforts in Kabul, collaborating on counter-terrorism initiatives and promoting the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

It faced opposition, however, within Pakistan as former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is in jail, directed his Tehreek-e-Insaf party to stand against any new military operation in the northwestern and southwestern parts of the South Asian country.