ISLAMABAD – US Deputy Assistant to the President and National SecurityCouncil Senior Director for South and Central Asia Lisa Curtis on Mondayheld a meeting with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua during an emergencyvisit to the country.

Pak-US relations, which have witnessed a downward trend after US PresidentDonald Trump’s new year tweet, were discussed during the huddle.

The meeting was held at the Foreign Office.

The situation in Afghanistan and bilateral relations also came underdiscussion during the meeting.

Trump’s tweet was followed by the US withholding $255 million in aid toIslamabad, accusing Pakistan of failing to cooperate fully in the fightagainst terrorism.

“The administration is withholding $255 million in assistance to Pakistan.There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game foryears,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley had told reporters.

“They work with us at times, and they also harbour the terrorists thatattack our troops in Afghanistan,” she said.

“That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far morecooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,” she added.

“The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding fromPakistan as they continue to harbour terrorists.”

Shortly afterward, the White House said it wanted to see Pakistan “do moreto fight terrorism” and that it would likely announce further actions topressure Islamabad. – APP