Pakistan's ISI chief leaves for US to revive ties

ISLAMABAD: ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha today left for the US in a bid to revive security ties affected by recent events, including the suspension of USD 800 million of military aid to Pakistan.

"Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence, has proceeded to USA for a day-long visit to coordinate intelligence matters," said a brief statement from the military.

It did not give details. Pasha embarked on the visit a day after the US Army's Central Command chief, Gen James Mattis, arrived in Pakistan in an apparent move to defuse tensions between the two countries over a series of incidents, including the suspension of military aid.

Senior American officials announced on Sunday that the US administration had suspended the payment of military aid as certain steps taken by Pakistan, such as the expulsion of military trainers, justified cancellation of the assistance.

The US made the decision after Pakistan expelled over 100 American military trainers. The move is also aimed at pressuring Pakistan to take more steps against militants.

The US media said Pakistan has refused visas to US military officers, which annoyed the Obama administration.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar yesterday warned that his government might withdraw troops from the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan as a response to the suspension of US military aid.

The military aid that has been held up includes USD 300 million to be paid as reimbursement to Pakistan for expenses incurred in the war on terror.