PAKISTAN HAS MUCH TO LOSE BY HARBOURING TERRORISTS: TRUMP

Talking tough, President Donald Trump on Tuesday hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to “agents of chaos” that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has “much to lose” by harbouring terrorists.

Trump, in his first primetime televised address to the nation as commander-inchief, came down heavily on Pakistan for its support to terror groups, saying the country receives billions in US aid but continues to harbour militants.

“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,” Trump said.

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,” Trump said. “Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbour terrorists,” he said.

The US President also reached out to India, seeking an enhanced role for New Delhi, especially in the economic field, to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“We appreciate India’s important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development,” Trump said.

Commenting on Tump’s criticism, Pakistan on Tuesday said that it desires "peace and stability in Afghanistan".

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif made the comments when US Ambassador David Hale called on him after President Donald Trump warned Islamabad to stop backing terrorists fighting American forces in Afghanistan.