“Lies and Deceit”

President Trump has lashed out at Islamabad, saying in his first tweet of the new year, “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” The blistering message is based on the President’s assumption that Pakistan is harboring terrorist wanted by the US. This is not the first time the President has singled out Pakistan for its reported alliances with terrorist groups. In a August speech at Fort Myer Army Base in Arlington VA, the President said in part:

“The next pillar of our new strategy is to change the approach and how to deal with Pakistan.  We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.  Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan.  It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists. In the past, Pakistan has been a valued partner.  Our militaries have worked together against common enemies.  The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism.  We recognize those contributions and those sacrifices. But Pakistan has also sheltered the same organizations that try every single day to kill our people.  We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting.  But that will have to change, and that will change immediately.  No partnership can survive a country’s harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. service members and officials.  It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization, order, and to peace.”

The President’s tweet cause an immediate reaction from Pakistan. Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said, “The United States should hold its own people accountable for its failures in Afghanistan. America is frustrated over defeat in Afghanistan. America should take the path of dialogue instead of using military might in Afghanistan.”  Pakistani Defense Minister Khurram Khan said in a tweet, “The US has been given land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that has decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16yrs, but they have given us nothing but invective & mistrust.”

The US Congress approved $18 billion in military and economic aid from the United States. However the Pakistan Treasury only received $8.647 billion in direct financial payments. This is not the only financial assistance given to Pakistan by the US. In total, the United States obligated nearly $78.3 billion to Pakistan between 1948 and 2016. The Pakistani prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, is schduled to hold a cabinet meeting with country’s top civilian and military chiefs to assess deteriorating US ties. A National Security Council spokesman said, “The United States does not plan to spend the $255 million in FY 2016 foreign military financing for Pakistan at this time. The President has made clear that the United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists and militants on its soil, and that Pakistan’s actions in support of the South Asia strategy will ultimately determine the trajectory of our relationship, including future security assistance.” Pakistan was one of the 128 countries backing the non binding resolution condemning the US stance on recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capitol. At that time Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley expressed her disappointment saying, “The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation. We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the United Nations. And we will remember it when so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.”

 

Advertisement

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*