Daily Times

Pakistan has decided to take up the issue of suspension of coalition support fund (CSF) by the US with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to Islamabad on September 5 (tomorrow).

The decision emerged during a meeting between Chief of Amy Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran Khan at the PM Office on Monday.

“Matters related to security were discussed,” a short statement issued by the PM Office said. However, sources at the PM Office told Daily Times that both civil and military leadership agreed to not only take up the issue of suspension of CSF but also strongly deny US allegations that Pakistan was not taking action against terror groups allegedly operating along Pak-Afghan border areas.

A comprehensive briefing by the civil and military leadership on Pakistan’s fight against terrorism has been planned for the high-level US delegation during their daylong stay in Islamabad.

Sources said army chief also assured the prime minister that despite suspension of the CSF, operations against terrorists along border areas and across the country would continue with local resources “because Pakistan is fighting this war for its own security as well as stability of the whole region.”

This was Imran Khan’s third meeting with Gen Bajwa after assuming charge of the country’s top office last month.

Published in Daily Times, September 4^th 2018.