Pak hums peace after Trump rebuke

Pakistan pledges to eliminate terrorists after US Prez warns its over providing safe havens to terrorists

Islamabad, Aug. 22: Pakistan said on Tuesday that it wants peace in Afghanistan and pledged to work to eliminate terrorism hours after US President Donald Trump’s stern warning to Islamabad over providing safe havens to terrorists.

A foreign office spokesman said US ambassador David Hale met foreign minister Khawaja Asif and briefed him about President Trump’s latest statement on the US policy review on South Asia and Afghanistan. “The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s perspective and desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said the carefully worded statement from the foreign office.

Mr Trump, in his first prime-time televised address to announce his Afghanistan and South Asia policy, hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to “agents of chaos” that kill Americans in Afghanistan nd warned Islamabad that it has “much to lose” by harbouring terrorists. He also slammed Pakistan for its support to terror groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so.

“For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nucleararmed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen,” Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump said a pillar of his new strategy was a change in America’s approach to Pakistan. He slammed Pakistan for its support to terror groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continues to do so.

“We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbour terrorists,” he said in a warning to Pakistan. He, however, noted that Pakistan has been a valued partner and the militaries of the two countries have worked together against common enemies.