May 28, 2002	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 15,1423

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WASHINGTON, May 27: Pakistan’s support in the US-led coalition’s military campaign in Afghanistan is detailed in an updated fact-sheet just issued by the Defence Department here.

The fact-sheets says that Pakistan has provided bases and overflight permission for all US and coalition forces, deployed a large number of troops along the Afghanistan border, has spent a large portion of its logistical reserves to support the coalition, a very significant contribution in light of the country’s economic difficulties and self-defence support requirements, and ISI has helped in various phases of the operation.

Pakistani representatives are also now stationed at the headquarters of the Central Command in Tampa, Florida, along with representatives of other coalition members.

India is said to have provided a frigate for escorting coalition shipping through the Straits of Malacca, made shipyards available for coalition ship repairs, and opened ports for naval port calls.

The Defence Department says this compilation is not meant to be “all-inclusive,” but to give a sense of the important role played by the coalition in the “global war on terrorism”, which, it is claimed, is supported by 68 nations. To date, 20 nations have deployed more than 16,000 troops to the Central Command’s region of responsibility.