NEW YORK – Pakistan’s Ambassador to United Nations Maleeha Lodhi has said that Pakistan can review its cooperation with Washington as it was not based on any aid consideration.
Lodhi put the record straight after US envoy to UN Nikki Haley pointed fingers on Pakistan’s role in the anti-terrorism war and announced that they would not be releasing $255 military aid to Pakistan.
Talking to media, she said that Pakistan’s cooperation with US was based “on our national interests and principles.” She added, “We can review our cooperation if it is not appreciated”.
“We have contributed and sacrificed the most in fighting international terrorism and carried out the largest counter terrorism operation anywhere in the world,” Ambassador Lodhi asserted.
“US spokespersons should not shift the blame for their own mistakes and failures onto others,” she added.
On Tuesday Haley talking to reporters said, “The administration is withholding $255 million in assistance to Pakistan. There are clear reasons for this. Pakistan has played a double game for years”.
US President Donald Trump tweeted on Monday that the United States had foolishly given Pakistan over $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years.
“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!” Trump tweeted.
Haley went a step further in warning Pakistan. “We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,” she said.
“The president is willing to go to great lengths to stop all funding from Pakistan as they continue to harbour and support terrorism.”
