Trump seeks Imran’s help for Afghan peace
ISLAMABAD: After months of berating Pakistan for not doing enough to counter terrorism despite receiving billions of dollars as aid, US President Donald Trump has sought Islamabad’s help for a negotiated settlement of the war in Afghanistan.
Trump made the request in a letter written to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Foreign Office said on Monday. Information minister Fawad Chaudhry confirmed Trump had written the letter and asked for Pakistan’s cooperation to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.
The US president had begun the year by accusing Pakistan of giving “nothing but lies and deceit” after receiving $33 billion over the past 15 years. The US subsequently suspended $1.66 billion in security-related aid for Pakistan and bilateral ties plunged to a fresh low.
In his letter addressed to Khan, Trump stated “his most important regional priority was achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war”, the Foreign Office said in a statement. “In this regard, he (Trump) has sought Pakistan’s support and facilitation,” the statement said.
Trump acknowledged the war had cost both the US and Pakistan and emphasised that both countries “should explore opportunities to work together and renew (their) partnership”, the statement added.
“Since Pakistan has always advocated a political settlement to end the war in Afghanistan, (the) US decision is welcomed,” the statement said.