PM Abbasi to take up Trump criticism in security council meeting for policy response

ISLAMABAD - After US President Donald Trump took a hard line on Pakistan for alleged safe havens to terrorists, Pakistan has decided to give a comprehensive response to shun baseless allegations.

On Tuesday, a cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi discussed the statement of Trump and expressed disappointment for ignoring sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in war on terror.

During the meeting, Prime Minister was mandated to raise the issue in the meeting of the National Security Committee for a comprehensive policy response to America.

Accusing Islamabad of harbouring “agents of chaos, violence, and terror” the tycoon-turned-president clarified his intent to increase pressure on the country to stop any re-emergence of safe havens in order to gain regional peace, besides announcing increase of US troops in Afghanistan.

He said, “We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond,” besides warning that Pakistan had much to lose by providing safe havens to terrorists.

In the preliminary response, Foreign Office highlighted the fact that no country in the world has done more than Pakistan to weed out terrorism.

'No Need of US Assistance'

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif slamming US allegation of providing shelter to elements of "chaos" said that no country has rendered sacrifices more than Pakistan in the war.

He expressed this during a current affairs program, Aaj Shehzaib Khanzada kay Sath, adding that Pakistan did not need of US assistance to wage war on terrorist as Pakistani nation has brought the war to a conclusive end on their own.

The US did not hailed contribution of Pakistan as it deserved, the foreign minister said, adding that the role of India, which is sponsoring state terrorism, was appreciated.