US embassy, ISPR deny presence of US forces in Quetta

ISLAMABAD - The United States embassy has denied reports that Pakistan has allowed the US military and its coalition partners in Afghanistan to maintain a presence in Quetta, Balochistan.

“This reporting is a misrepresentation… There is no permanent US presence in Quetta,” the Daily Times quoted the US embassy spokesman, as saying.

Instead, a US team occasionally visits Quetta to provide information and coordinate between the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) and Pakistan military forces whenever the US forces conduct operations close to the border in Afghanistan, the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, Inter Services Public Relations issued a press release, saying the “news report appearing in a section of the press regarding presence by US office of the Defense Representative in Pakistan (ODRP) at Quetta” is “not correct”.

A few days back, in a report to Congress, the US Department of Defence had said: “Pakistan Army General Headquarters recently approved an ODRP and Coalition presence at the PAKMIL 12 Corps HQ in Quetta, Balochistan.” (ANI)