Pak-US relations: America continues demanding do more even from Imran Khan
It definitely will be a challenge for PM Imran Khan to tackle Donald Trump. Time will explore.
(Web desk) – Pakistan-US relations have never been so bumpy than they are at this moment. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Richard Pompeo has to make a visit to Pakistan. Bear in mind that Trump administration has halted $300 million of aid to Pakistan which was supposed to be given to it under Coalition Support Fund (CSF). It happened just before the arrival of Mike Pompeo and General Joseph Francis Dunford to Pakistan. Lieutenant Colonel Kone Faulkner said this amount will now be used for another purpose but will not be given to Pakistan due to its ineffective policy against terrorists. “We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups,” Faulkner said.
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This is not all of sudden, but American President Donald Trump has warned it earlier in his New Year tweet. America stopped $50 million in Coalition Support Fund (CSF). India with the assistance of America is doing whatever it takes to demoralize Pakistan on every forum. In this regard, both are also trying to have Pakistan in Grey List of Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018
Another step was taken on July 30 when America barred Pakistani army officers and students from taking part in the training programs. This step was taken as the new government of PTI took the charge of the country. Here Mike Pompeo in a tweet clarified American stance by pressurizing IMF not to aid Pakistan any further.
Mike Pompeo’s is yet to visit Pakistan and it is being speculated that a number of events of significance will be discussed. Photo: AFP
Another occasion where Pak-US rift was evident was when Mike Pompeo made a congratulatory call to Imran Khan which later on turned into a disaster. American side was of the view that the foreign minister forced Pakistani new PM Imran Khan to take action against the hidden terrorists on its territory, whilst Pakistani side declined any such talks was conducted.
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Americans kept on expanding divide in its relations with Pakistan; another bitter step taken by it was the nomination of 67 years old Afghan Republican Zalmay Mamozy Khalilzad who has been a severe critic of Pakistan. His views have always been acrimonious towards Pakistan. Although a number of American-backed scholars have antagonistic views concerning Pakistan’s role in the region and war on terror.
Aside from this fact, there are others like former commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces General John Allen who are of the view that for maintaining peace in Afghanistan is not the sole responsibility of Pakistan. He, talking to Brooking Institution, said Pakistan, Afghanistan, and America must have unified agenda for peace in the region.
Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force has stressed over Pakistan s role in bringing peace in the region. Photo: File
John R. Allen is the president of the Brookings Institution, and he has announced it much earlier that constructive efforts from all three sides are pivotal for the betterment of the region.
American betrayal does not seem to cost Pakistan much but it is evident of the fact that US cannot be trusted. The amount which Pakistan yielded for taking part in war on terror should have been given to it at the earliest. Unfortunately, US could not live up to Pakistan’s expectations. Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood clarified in his press conference said that it is reimbursement and not an aid. “It is not aid. It is not assistance, which was suspended. This the money, which we have spent. This is our money. We have spent it,” Qureshi said. “We did it for our betterment, which they had to reimburse.” In spite of that US is attempting to hurt Pakistan by all means.
Source Roznama DUNYA
Translated and edited by Junaid Ali Malik
