Summary The message which was tweeted on the first day of the New Year accused Pakistan of only providing lies and deceit. Photo: AFP
(Web Desk) – In a tweet that has sparked widespread anger in Pakistan, the President of the United States Donald Trump has categorically said “no more” aid to Pakistan.
The message which was tweeted on the first day of the New accused Pakistan of only providing lies and deceit.
In a 50-word tweet Trump wrote that, “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.”
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018
Trump alleged that Pakistan provided safe haven to terrorists and did not cooperate in anti-terrorism operations against the banned outfits. “They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” he tweeted.
Shortly after the statement of the US President, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif responded, "We will respond to President Trump’s tweet shortly inshallah... Will let the world know the truth... difference between facts & fiction."
In November, The US Congress had given green signal to release around 700 million dollars under the umbrella of Coalition Support Fund, a reimbursement amount for Pakistan on its continued support of US operations in Afghanistan.
The US President Donald Trump had warned in August that Washington will no longer tolerate Pakistan offering "safe havens" to extremists. "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations," Trump declared, outlining a new US security strategy in South Asia.
"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 response to Trump’s tweet, many politicians and analysts took to the micro-blogging website in reaction to the tweet with #DonaldTrump being the top trend in Pakistan on Twitter.
We will respond to President Trump's tweet shortly inshallah...Will let the world know the truth..difference between facts & fiction..
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 1, 2018
Pak as anti-terror ally has given free to US: land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16yrs, but they have given us nothing but invective & mistrust. They overlook cross-border safe havens of terrorists who murder Pakistanis.
— Pak Minister Defence (@PakMnstrDefence) January 1, 2018
Coalition support funds has NEVER been counted as AID in any accounting by Pakistan, nor will it be seen as part of assistance. It was compensation on expenses incurred re joint action on border. Other “Aid” we should indeed talk about, because Pk never charged for NATO traffic
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) January 1, 2018
Shocking & disappointing statement which completely disregards the important role played by Pakistan in the War on Terror. Pakistan is a sovereign nation and will undertake it s decisions based on it s national interests & priorities. https://t.co/2lv7ahlyqm
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) January 2, 2018
A self- respecting Pak leadership must announce that it will take no aid, suspend all cooperation with the US and demand an explanation from Washington for this rude and belligerent statement. Anything less would be devoid of dignity and self- respect. https://t.co/8Xfoiw8z03
— Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) January 1, 2018
National Security Committee meeting to take place today. Underlines how seriously the govt and the Army is taking Trump’s tweet. No individual institutional reaction will suffice. Now it has to be a whole of nation response.
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) January 2, 2018
The threats being hurled by President Trump are meant to hide failures. The comparison has to be undertaken with performance. #Pakistan
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) January 1, 2018
Someone please explain to @realDonaldTrump difference between coalition support fund reimbursement for work done & USaid ostensibly given for humanitarian reasons, to win hearts & minds.Cutting off moneys owed for assistance already rendered does not encourage further cooperation
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 2, 2018
Pakistan has done more to defeat terrorism than anyone, instead of shifting blame on us, #DonaldTrump must revisit his policy for Afghanistan. We have done what we could for the World now the World must do more to defeat the menace of terrorism rather gragging us into blame game!
— Lt Gen Amjad Shoaib (@GenAmjadShoaib) January 1, 2018
Pakistan had given you over 60,000 civilians & over 6000 soldiers: Killed. Blown up. Mutilated.
— Wajahat S. Khan (@WajSKhan) January 1, 2018
Maybe a 100 billion in costs to its exchequer.
And undeterred access to drone attack anyone you want, with access for your operatives on the ground.
Happy New Year to you too, Sir. https://t.co/vpax7YWA1O
Donald Trump is unaware of the on-ground realities which are why he keeps blaming Pakistan for its failures in Afghanistan. Trump, must refrain himself from using derogatory words such as "Lies and Deceit" for its best ally. The US must do more in Afghanistan not us!
— AM Shahid Latif (Retd) (@AMShahidLatif) January 1, 2018
Most of this money is Coalition Support Funds - which makes it payment for services rendered. Not aid, not favours. The $33 billion figure is an accounting exaggeration that has little real meaning. US aid to Pakistan has never neared even 1% of GDP. #Pakistan can do without. https://t.co/fsHidfnrlu
— Ali Dayan Hasan (@AliDayan) January 1, 2018
For more on this watch a report by Dunya News below.
