RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Pak-US Business Council has demanded immediate restoration of $ 300 million withheld military aid to Pakistan and urged the Pakistani and American governments to enhance mutual engagement.

A few irritants should not be allowed to undermine 70-year-long relations between the two countries, said Founder Chairman Pak-US Business Council and Chairman United Business Group Iftikhar Ali Malik while taking to the media on his return from Bhutan here on Tuesday.

Pakistan has paid a heavy price, both in human and economic terms, during the war on terror by sacrificing over 60,000 precious lives. The Trump administration’s proposed to cut $ 300 million in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan is not justifiable, he said. Pakistan has done its best despite constraints and shall continue its efforts for peace and stability in the region, he added.

Chairman Young Entrepreneurs SAARC Chamber Shaharyar Ali Malik and former Vice President FPCCI Hameed Akhter Chhada were also present on this occasion at Lahore Airport.

He said a day earlier US Commander in Afghanistan Gen John Nicholson met with Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa and highly appreciated the role of Pakistan towards fight against the menace of terror and admitted that the US cannot win war in Afghanistan soil without the active support of Pakistan which speaks of our sincere hectic efforts.

Appreciating the role of Pakistan military against terrorism, Malik said Pakistan military has suffered more than 13,000 casualties in the US-led fight against terrorism since 2001 while the country suffered $ 118.3 billion in direct and indirect losses from 2002 to 2016.