News Analysis |
Maleeha Lodhi took a firm stance against the contentious remarks made by Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations by clearly stating that “Islamabad’s Cooperation with Washington was not based on any aid consideration but on our national interests and principles”.
#Pakistan‘s permanent representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi says #Islamabad‘s cooperation with #Washington is not based on any aid consideration, but on our national interests and principles. pic.twitter.com/aThHR9N5mu
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) January 3, 2018
In the aftermath of the outrage caused by President Trump’s tweet that labelled Pakistan as “deceitful”, the foreign secretary summoned US Ambassador David Hale for an explanation.
However, Nikki Haley reinforced the allegations put forth by Trump by stating that Pakistan had been playing a double game in its counter terrorism operations by adding that this is the reason that “the administration has decided to withhold $255 million in assistance to Pakistan”.
Read more: Trump’s New Year message to Pakistan
Haley went on to make unsubstantial blanket statements about Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts stating that “They work with us at times, and they also harbor the terrorists that attack our troops in Afghanistan,” she said. “That game is not acceptable to this administration. We expect far more cooperation from Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.”
The stance taken by Maleeha Lodhi against the remarks spoken by Nikki Haley is the same stance of resistance that has been uniformly adopted by the foreign minister, the defence minister and the National Security Committee’s consensus. The foreign minister Khawaja Asif promptly responded to Trump’s tweet saying: “the United States should hold its own people accountable for its failures in Afghanistan.”
President Trump decided to increase the amount of troops being sent to Afghanistan last year and due to the immense difficulties being faced by his administration in attaining a victory in the region, the United States has decided to use Pakistan as a scapegoat for their imminent defeat. The foreign minister demonstrated his objection to the tweet by stating that “We have already said ‘no more’ to America, so Trump’s ‘no more’ has no importance.” He concluded that “America is frustrated over its defeat in Afghanistan. America should perhaps take the path of dialogue instead of using military might.”
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018
The defence minister, Khurram Dastagir expressed his extreme disapproval of Trump’s tweet claiming that it was not based on reality. He reinforced the fact that Pakistan would protect its sovereignty at all costs. In response to the accusations hurled at Pakistan for non-cooperation by Trump, he said Pakistan had extended unprecedented cooperation to the US in defeating Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan besides fighting the war against terrorism. In the end he asserted that “Afghanistan’s war would not be fought from the soil of Pakistan under any circumstances”
Read more: Trump tweets thanks to Pakistan
The Pakistan Army spokesman, Major Ghafoor speaking at a press conference last week clearly stated that the aid Pakistan received from the US was “reimbursement for support we gave to the coalition for its fight against Al Qaeda”, concluding that the war in Afghanistan could not have been fought without Pakistan.
Along with this Twitter storm that Trump has caused in Pakistan, he has stirred worldwide concern by issuing threatening and contentious statements on sensitive international issues such as his tweet about Iran failing at every level. Since December 23rd 2017, President Trump has posted 46 tweets about extremely sensitive international issues causing an extreme strain in diplomatic and foreign relations around the world.
What a year it’s been, and we’re just getting started. Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Happy New Year!! pic.twitter.com/qsMNyN1UJG
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
Addressing North Korea, he warned Kim Jong-Un that his nuclear button is bigger and more powerful than his demonstrating his complete disregard for the possible repercussions that can result from his hyperbole on Twitter.
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018
Washington is extremely concerned and fearful of the President’s reckless use of social media and has concluded that his Tweets should no longer be posted without review.
In last 24 hours Trump has threatened to 1) cut aid to nuclear-armed, terrorist-laden Pakistan; 2) cut aid to miffed Palestinians after he alters US Jerusalem policy, and 3) boasted his nuclear button is bigger than Kim Jung-un’s. This is our commander-in-chief. Think about it.
— Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) January 3, 2018