WASHINGTON: The White House has said it stands by the comment of USPresident Donald Trump in which he said that Pakistan had given the USnothing but “lies and deceit” in return for USD 33 billion aid.

“Our position is firm: that we believe that withdrawing that aid isimportant,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders on Wednesday told thereporters at her daily news conference.

“Yes,” she said when asked if she stands by the comments the president madein the tweet.

“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billiondollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing butlies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven tothe terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!” Trumphad said in his first tweet of the year.

Following his tweet, the Trump administration suspended about $2 billion insecurity assistance to Pakistan. – Agencies