Washington (January 02, 2018): The White House has said it will continue to withhold $255 million in military aid to Pakistan until the Trump administration reviews the country’s actions in confronting terrorists and militants.
“The United States does not plan to spend the $255 million in FY 2016 foreign military financing for Pakistan at this time,” a National Security Council spokesman said, quoted by CNN.
“The President has made clear that the United States expects Pakistan to take decisive action against terrorists and militants on its soil, and that Pakistan’s actions in support of the South Asia strategy will ultimately determine the trajectory of our relationship, including future security assistance.”
The Trump administration first said in August that it was temporarily withholding the $255 million aid, which was part of a $1.1 billion aid package authorised in 2016 by Congress. The money was withheld until Pakistan ‘agreed to do more to combat terrorist networks’.
The National Security Council official said the administration would continue to review Pakistan’s level of cooperation in security areas.
Earlier, United States (US) President Donald Trump on Monday began his new year by accusing Pakistan of giving Washington “nothing but lies and deceit”.
The US president tweeted that Islamabad thinks of US leaders “As Fools”.
He said Washington had “foolishly given Pakistan more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years.”
The US president’s latest tweet follows in the aftermath of an increasingly tense back-and-forth between Washington and Islamabad after Trump announced the administration’s latest national security strategy.
The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018
During the announcement, the US president was quick to remind Pakistan of its obligation towards helping America because it receives “massive payments” from Washington every year.
“We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help,” the US president said.
In December 2017, the Pentagon also informed the US Congress that it would take ‘unilateral steps’ in areas of divergence with Pakistan while expanding cooperation between the two countries where their interests converge.
Yesterday, Pakistan also summoned US Ambassador David Hale to its Foreign Office and recorded protest over Trump statement.
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