US military cuts presence in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United States has reduced the number of military personnel in Pakistan, stated press release issued from US Embassy on Friday.

According to the press release, US Embassy in Islamabad said that the reduction had been made at the request of the Pakistani government.

"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 the reduction," said Vice Adm. Michael LeFever, Chief of the Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan.

US was honoured to be Pakistan's partner and that US service members in the country provided excellent support to Pakistan's military in the fight against violent extremists, he added.

US military personnel in Pakistan include trainers who work with Pakistani security forces and the total number of US military forces in Pakistan is determined at the request of and in conjunction with government and military of Pakistan.

When the government of Pakistan requests assistance, the US remains ready to help with the security requirements of Pakistan, the release quoted LeFever as saying.