ISLAMABAD - Minister for Defence Khurram Dastagir Khan befittingly responded to US president Donald Trump over his recent tweet, saying that no one should give deadline to Pakistan as it is an independent state. In an interview to BBC Urdu, Dastgir said America should work together for the development of the region instead of saying ‘do more’ and ‘no more’. He also termed Trump’s tweet as a view of extremism.
No hideouts of militants are in Pakistan as they are being eliminated by Pakistan army in operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, he claimed.
The minister further asked US to give details of terrorists in Pakistan so that the national security forces can hold operation there. He said that Pakistan is economically stable now and can support its armed forces.
He also clarified that US cannot fight war against Afghanistan on Pakistan‘s land.
Khurram Dastgir Khan turned the criticism back on Trump, claiming the US has given Pakistan “nothing but invective and mistrust”, and claiming US officials “overlook cross-border safe havens of terrorists who murder Pakistanis”.
Earlier, Donald Trump categorically said “no more” aid to Pakistan in his recent tweet. The US President wrote that they foolishly gave over 33 billion dollars in aid to Pakistan over the past 15 years. He slammed Pakistan for only providing lies and deceit in reaction.
Trump reaffirmed his allegation that Pakistan provides safe haven to the terrorists and doesn’t cooperate in the anti-terrorism operation against the banned outfits in Afghanistan. “They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” he tweeted.
In August, Trump had warned Pakistan 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.