WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to “cease being asafe haven for terrorists” that threaten the US, said the CIA Director MikePompeo, according to Moneycontrol.com.link>
The US has suspended about USD 2 billion in security aid to Pakistan forallegedly “failing” to clamp down on the Afghan Taliban and the HaqqaniNetwork terror groups and dismantle their safe havens.
The freezing of all security assistance to Pakistan came after Trump in aNew Year’s Day controversial tweet accused Pakistan of giving nothing tothe US but “lies and deceit” and providing “safe haven” to terrorists inreturn for USD 33 billion aid over the last 15 years.
“We see the Pakistanis continuing to provide safe harbour, havens inside ofPakistan for terrorists who present risks to the United States of America,”Pompeo was quoted as saying by the CBS.
“We are doing our best to inform the Pakistanis that this is no longergoing to be acceptable. So this conditioned aid, we have given them achance. If they fix this problem, we are happy to continue to engage withthem and be their partner. But if they don’t, we’re going to protectAmerica,” Pompeo said.
“The president has made very clear that he needs Pakistan to cease being asafe haven for terrorists that threaten the United States of America, end,period, full stop,” Pompeo said, reflecting the stand taken by Trump.
The security assistance can be restored if Pakistan takes decisive actionsagainst terrorists.