Pakistan's strong response to Trump's criticism continues
Pakistan's strong response to Trump's criticism continues
All walks of life in Pakistan, including political and military leadership, civil society, analysts and public gave a strong response to the U.S. President Donald Trump's new policy about South Asia and Afghanistan, in which he blamed Pakistan for harboring terrorist groups.
In his first formal address as commander-in-chief outlining a new U.S. security strategy in South Asia, Trump said "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain has summoned a session of National Assembly (the lower house) which is to be held on Tuesday in order to give a unanimous befitting response to the allegations from Trump.
Ayaz Sadiq, speaker and custodian of the house, has asked all parliamentarians to make sure their attendance in the session, saying "We shall not allow U.S. to threaten Pakistan and favor India. America has forced us to rethink our policies by not acknowledging Pakistan's sacrifices in the war on terror."
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, talking to international media on Monday, stressed the need for a political settlement in Afghanistan, saying that like previous U.S. plans Trump's new strategy for America's longest-running war in that country (Afghanistan) will also fail.
Aizaz Chaudhry, Pakistan's Ambassador to Washington, told media on Monday that peace in Afghanistan is Pakistan's utmost wish, and no one wishes peace in Afghanistan like Pakistan does as Pakistan has suffered a lot from this unrest.
Highlighting Pakistan's sacrifices and losses against terrorism erupted after the U.S. forces' invasion of Afghanistan, Chaudhry said that relations between Pakistan and the United States are never sustainable but if both countries work together, they can easily sort out all the disputes.
Earlier on Sunday, angry masses held rallies, chanted slogans "Death to America" and torched Trump's effigy in different areas of Pakistan.
A heavy contingent of police had to fire tear gas shells, use baton charge and water cannons to stop the violent protestors who were marching towards the U.S. Consulate in the country's southern port city of Karachi.
Alice Wells, the acting U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who was scheduled to reach Islamabad on Monday to discuss the present situation in the region, had to postpone her visit after Pakistani authorities showed their unavailability.
According to the U.S. embassy in Islamabad, the tour was postponed on Pakistan's request, and that it would be rescheduled after a mutual understanding of both countries.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, was also scheduled to visit Washington this week on the invitation of Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, to discuss the bilateral relationship between the two countries and the South Asia policy of the U.S. in greater detail, but it had already been postponed by Pakistani side after Trump's speech.
In his first formal address as commander-in-chief outlining a new U.S. security strategy in South Asia, Trump said "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain has summoned a session of National Assembly (the lower house) which is to be held on Tuesday in order to give a unanimous befitting response to the allegations from Trump.
Ayaz Sadiq, speaker and custodian of the house, has asked all parliamentarians to make sure their attendance in the session, saying "We shall not allow U.S. to threaten Pakistan and favor India. America has forced us to rethink our policies by not acknowledging Pakistan's sacrifices in the war on terror."
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, talking to international media on Monday, stressed the need for a political settlement in Afghanistan, saying that like previous U.S. plans Trump's new strategy for America's longest-running war in that country (Afghanistan) will also fail.
Aizaz Chaudhry, Pakistan's Ambassador to Washington, told media on Monday that peace in Afghanistan is Pakistan's utmost wish, and no one wishes peace in Afghanistan like Pakistan does as Pakistan has suffered a lot from this unrest.
Highlighting Pakistan's sacrifices and losses against terrorism erupted after the U.S. forces' invasion of Afghanistan, Chaudhry said that relations between Pakistan and the United States are never sustainable but if both countries work together, they can easily sort out all the disputes.
Earlier on Sunday, angry masses held rallies, chanted slogans "Death to America" and torched Trump's effigy in different areas of Pakistan.
A heavy contingent of police had to fire tear gas shells, use baton charge and water cannons to stop the violent protestors who were marching towards the U.S. Consulate in the country's southern port city of Karachi.
Alice Wells, the acting U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who was scheduled to reach Islamabad on Monday to discuss the present situation in the region, had to postpone her visit after Pakistani authorities showed their unavailability.
According to the U.S. embassy in Islamabad, the tour was postponed on Pakistan's request, and that it would be rescheduled after a mutual understanding of both countries.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, was also scheduled to visit Washington this week on the invitation of Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, to discuss the bilateral relationship between the two countries and the South Asia policy of the U.S. in greater detail, but it had already been postponed by Pakistani side after Trump's speech.
In response to Trump's accusations, Pakistani prime minister chaired the meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) of the country on Thursday, where Pakistan's top security body discussed the new U.S. policy.
The committee strongly rejected certain allegations leveled against the country and demanded the United States to take an immediate action against sanctuaries harboring terrorists and miscreants on Afghan soil, including those responsible for fomenting terror in Pakistan.
Pakistan as being the immediate neighbor has an abiding interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan, said the NSA, adding "Scapegoat(ing) Pakistan will not help in stabilizing Afghanistan."
The committee strongly rejected certain allegations leveled against the country and demanded the United States to take an immediate action against sanctuaries harboring terrorists and miscreants on Afghan soil, including those responsible for fomenting terror in Pakistan.
Pakistan as being the immediate neighbor has an abiding interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan, said the NSA, adding "Scapegoat(ing) Pakistan will not help in stabilizing Afghanistan."
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