Angry with Trump, Pak suspends talks

Islamabad, Aug. 29: Pakistan has suspended official visits and talks with the US to protest against President Donald Trump’s criticism of Islamabad for providing safe havens to militants, a media report said today.

It was disclosed by foreign minister Khawaja Asif on Monday in the senate, which converted itself into a committee to discuss the deteriorating relations with the US.

Mr Asif told the senators that Pakistan had suspended talks and bilateral visits as a mark of protest, Dawn quoted sources as saying.

US secretary of state for South and Central Asia Alice Wells was supposed to arrive here on Tuesday, while the foreign minister himself was to travel to the US last week.

About Mr Trump’s south Asia policy, Mr Asif said it envisaged no military role for India in Afghanistan. He said it was rather a role of economic development. Mr Asif said India would not be allowed to use Afghan soil to destabilise Pakistan.

The members also asked the government to share a fact-sheet on US assistance received after 9/11 and the financial loss incurred by the country as a frontline state against the war on terror.

Foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua said a meeting of Pakistan’s envoys had been convened from September 5 to 7 to chalk out a strategy after announcement of the new US policy on south Asia. — PTI

THE US President’s south Asia policy, envisaged no military role for India in Afghanistan, the Pak foreign minister said.