RAWALPINDI: The Foreign Minister Mr Arshad Husain told the National Assembly during the Question Hour today [May 20] that the Pakistan Government has given notice to the US Government for termination of the lease of the US communications unit at Badaber, near Peshawar. The notice was given on April 6, 1968.

He said the agreement between Pakistan and the USA for the communications unit was to run for a period of ten years and was to be renewed automatically for a further period of ten years unless notice of termination by either side was served at least 12 months in advance of the expiry of the first ten-year period. The agreement is due to expire on July 1 next year.

The Minister said Pakistan has taken the step “in keeping with our policy of developing bilateral relations of friendship and mutual understanding with all countries”. “We can have friendly relations with the USSR, China and the USA without these being at the cost of any of the others,” he added.

The Foreign Minister said: “Our relations with the USSR are very friendly. The USA has given ample evidence of its deep concern for our economic development. Its contribution to our nation-building task has been outstanding. ...” — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018