US President Donald Trump on Monday called for a halt to foreign aid to Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of harboring extremists and lying about it.
“The United States and foolishness have given Pakistan more than $ 33 billion in aid in the last 15 years, while they have only given us lies and deceit, thinking our leaders are stupid,” Trump said in his first tweet in 2018.
“They provide a safe haven for the terrorists we hunt down in Afghanistan, with little help.
The New York Times reported last week that the Trump administration is seriously considering a suspension of $ 255 million in back-up assistance mainly to Islamabad because it has not tightened measures against terrorist groups in Pakistan.
US-Pakistani relations deteriorated during the Trump era, which was announced in August. “Pakistan often provides a safe haven for those who spread chaos, violence and terrorism.”
Earlier this month, Trump hinted that aid could be stopped altogether.
“We are making huge payments every year to Pakistan, they have to help us,” he said during the announcement of his national security strategy.
“President Trump has warned Pakistan,” Vice President Mike Bens said during a visit to Afghanistan last week.
Islamabad has consistently denied accusations of condoning armed attacks, criticizing the United States for ignoring thousands of people killed on its territory and billions of dollars spent fighting extremists.