ISLAMABAD, Jan. 5 -- The Pakistani foreign ministry said here Friday that the country fights the war against terrorism on its own resources, apparently in a reaction to the security aid suspension announced by the United States.
Washington announced on Thursday that it is suspending the transfer of military equipment and security-related funds to Pakistan, according to the State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.
Pakistan is engaged with the U.S. Administration on the issue of security cooperation and await further details, the ministry said in a statement.
Impacts of the U.S. decision on pursuit of common objectives is also likely to emerge more clearly in due course of time. It, however, needs to be appreciated that Pakistan has fought the war against terrorism largely from its own resources which has cost over 120 billion U.S. dollars in 15 years, said the statement.
It added that Pakistan is "determined to continue to do all it takes to secure the lives of our citizens and broader stability in the region."
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Tuesday that Washington would withhold 255 million dollars in assistance to Pakistan from the Foreign Military Financing fund, which is used to provide military equipment and training to a friendly country, according to reports.
The U.S. Congress has also taken away half of the 700 million dollars set aside for reimbursing Pakistan for supporting U.S. war efforts along the Pak-Afghan border, according to local reports. The suspension will now affect the remaining 350 million dollars in this account, known as the Coalition Support Fund, it said.
"Arbitrary deadlines, unilateral pronouncements and shifting goalposts are counterproductive in addressing common threats," the Pakistani statement said, adding Pakistan believes that its cooperation with the United States in fighting terrorism has directly served U.S. national security interests as well as the larger interests of international community.