NEW YORK: The New York Times has advised President Donald Trump to adopt‘diplomatic tools’ while dealing with Islamabad as America ‘cannot affordto walk away from Pakistan’.

In its editorial titled ‘Pakistan, the Endlessly Troublesome Ally’, the NYTsuggested the administration to “harness his new friendships with theleaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to shut down Haqqaniand other Taliban fund-raising efforts in the Persian Gulf”.

Pak-US ties hit rock bottom after a New Year tweet by Trump that accusedPakistan of “lies and deceit” and later cutting off security assistanceworth $1.3 billion annually.

He tweeted: “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years,” he wrote, “and they havegiven us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. Theygive safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help.No more!”

The editorial affirmed that Pakistan has provided ‘vital intelligence’ inglobal war against terrorism and the pressure on the ally will push it more“closely towards China, which is already investing in major newinfrastructure projects and expanding its international leadership atAmerica’s expense, and be more hard-line in its rivalry with India”.

Referring to crucial supply lines for US military in Afghanistan, the NYTwarned that Pakistan could shut Ground Lines of Communication as it did in2011 after an attack on a post at the Afghan border.

“Almost every military flight into Afghanistan goes through Pakistaniairspace. Most supplies travel along Pakistani roads and rails. Pakistancould shut down American access at any moment, and some Pakistani officialsare threatening to do just that.”

“Trump’s bombast and the precipitous way the decision seems to have beenmade have led to doubts that Mr Trump has a serious plan for managing theramifications of this move,” the editorial noted.