Pakistan reacts to 'disappointing' Trump statement

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statement outlining elements of a new American policy on Afghanistan and South Asia.

Trump announced on Monday the U.S. would not commit to any timetable to end its military presence in Afghanistan where it has been bogged down for the better part of two decades.

The U.S. has about 8,400 troops in the country, and Trump's comments made it clear there would be no indications about future modifications to the American forces.

The American president further called out Pakistan, saying it provides "safe havens for terrorist organizations" that have contributed to the ongoing tumult in Afghanistan.

However, in a statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry which followed a cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the government said:

"No country in the world has done more than Pakistan to counter the menace of terrorism. No country in the world has suffered more than Pakistan from the scourge of terrorism, often perpetrated from outside our borders.

“It is, therefore disappointing that the U.S. policy statement ignores the enormous sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation in this effort.”

- Counterterrosim

"Pakistan has been and will continue to be part of global counterterrorism efforts. Pakistan and the United States have been close allies in the fight against terrorism, which is a common threat for all nations of the world," it went on to say.

As a matter of policy, it maintained, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country.

Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the U.S. needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism, it added.

"The threat to peace and security cannot be isolated from the complex interplay of geopolitics, [the] continued existence of festering disputes and pursuit of hegemonic policies," it said, adding:

"Non-resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace and stability in the region."

Pakistan also said 17 years of military action had failed to bring peace to Afghanistan, and was not likely to do so in the future. Only an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned politically negotiated solution can lead to sustainable peace in Afghanistan, it added.