ISLAMABAD : Following the request of Pakistani government, the United States has reduced the number of its personnel in Pakistan, a US defence official said on Friday.
Vice Adm. Michael LeFever, Chief of the Office of the Defence Representative-Pakistan said,
“We recently received a written request from the Government of Pakistan to reduce the number of US military personnel here, and we have nearly completed that reduction,” he said according to a US Embassy statement issued here.
LeFever mentioned that the US military personnel in Pakistan include trainers who work with Pakistani security forces.
“We’ve been honoured to partner with the Pakistan military and we believe our service members here provide excellent support to Pakistan’s military in the fight against violent extremists,” he said.
The US official said, “The total number of US military forces in Pakistan is determined at the request of and in conjunction with the government and military of Pakistan.”
He said the US remained ready to help with the security requirements whenever the Pakistan government requested for assistance
