Trump Withholding US Aid to Pakistan, citing “Lies and Deceit”

Never one to mince words, especially on Twitter, President Trump will, according to The White House, that the U.S. will continue to withhold $255 million in military aid to Pakistan out of frustration over what it has characterized as Islamabad’s reluctance in confronting terrorist networks.Bottom of Form

“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,” he posted on Twitter. “They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!”

“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. “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 administration first said in August it was temporarily withholding the $255 million, which was part of a $1.1 billion aid package authorized in 2016 by Congress. The money was put on hold 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.

The Pakistanis bristle at Trump’s comments and continuously say that they have suffered more at the hands of terrorists than the US has. In response to this latest tweet by the President, the Pakistani government summoned the US ambassador David Hale to explain this.

Not surprisingly, Trump’s tweet was met with praise from Pakistan’s foe, India while China, who are close to Pakistan, defended their history of dealing with terrorism.

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