US, Pakistan in talks on use of airspace for Afghanistan operations: Report

Washington: The Biden administration is nearing a formalized agreement with Pakistan for use of its airspace to conduct military and intelligence operations in Afghanistan, CNN reported.

The report by CNN, which has quoted three sources familiar with the matter, states that 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.

However, the negotiations are ongoing and the terms of the agreement, which has not been finalised, could still change.

It is pertinent to mention here that in May, foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told Pakistan’s Senate that Islamabad would not provide its military bases to the US for future counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and also would not allow drone attacks inside Pakistan.

“I want to assure the House that Pakistan is in safe hands,” he said.

On October 1, Qureshi made a U-turn saying that the proposal of using Pakistan airspace is up for discussion with the Imran-led administration.  

Looking at all the pros and cons, Pakistan will decide what is in the interest of its security, national security and regional stability.

"Pakistan will take a decision accordingly,” Qureshi said during a press conference.

Moreover, the US is also reportedly mulling to establish its military presence in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to conduct so-called “over-the-horizon operations” in Afghanistan.

Currently, the US conducts its over-the-horizon operations from bases in the Middle East (Gulf countries), forcing drones to fly from distant bases, such as those in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, around Iran and through Pakistani air space before reaching Afghanistan.

The briefing comes as the White House is still trying to ensure that it can carry out counterterrorism operations against ISIS-K and other adversaries in Afghanistan.