Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
Trump 'looks forward to' meeting Pakistan's new leadership
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he "looks forward to meeting the new leadership in Pakistan" but not without accusing Islamabad of "housing the enemy", CNN reported.
Trump's remarks came when he was making a point about his ongoing disagreement with Congressional lawmakers over allocation of finances that has led to a partial shut down of the US government.
The US president, while addressing a cabinet meeting, defended his demand to build a $5 billion wall, questioning why "we give away money to other countries but not to our own country".
"It's unfair when we give money to Guatemala and Honduras and El Salvador and they do nothing to us," he added.
Trump reminded his audience that it was him who had discontinued the funds given to Pakistan, saying: "When we give money to Pakistan, $1.3 billion, I ended that. A lot of people don't know it, because they haven't been fair to us."
The US president, who last month wrote to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking Pakistan's assistance in achieving a negotiated settlement of the Afghan war, said he wants to have better relations with Pakistan but levelled a grave allegation in the same breath.
"We want to have a great relationship with Pakistan, but they house the enemy, they take care of the enemy," he said. "We just can't do that. So, I look forward to meeting with the folks from — and the new leadership in Pakistan, we'll be doing that in the not-too-distant future. I ended the 1.3 billion we paid, it's like water, we just do it."
Trump has been consistent in his criticism of Pakistan since he launched his South Asia and Afghanistan strategy despite multiple attempts made by the two governments to fix the problems in their ties.
In November 2018, a row that began with Trump's interview to Fox News had led to a series of tweets by both the US head of state and PM Khan.
President Trump, while talking about the reasons for ending the over a billion dollar annual aid for Pakistan at the beginning of the year, had said the country didn’t do “a damn thing for us”.
Subsequently, Prime Minister Khan had led the sharp reaction by political leaders to Trump’s tirade against Pakistan by hinting at review of foreign policy options and asking the US president to introspect on the real reasons for America’s failure in Afghanistan.
Trump's stance on Pakistan has since softened considerably with him acknowledging in his letter to the PM last month that the "war had cost both USA and Pakistan."
Comments (88) Closed
Pakistan should play it's cards well and ensure we can get the best out of a positive relationship with the US, the current leverage in Afghanistan should be used carefully and wisely.
Trump's tone has started to change. Wait a few more months and see what happens.
Good point by Mr. Trump, give and take matter.
Another rambling and meaningless statement from the President to please his domestic constituency which should be ignored by Pakistan. The foreign office should not rush to get even.
Major change in tone than last year new year tweet.
Good news as both the US and Pakistan must stay engaged at all levels.
Trump speaks the truth.
This is when you stand on your two feet! Don't go begging, stay on your own two feet and people will come helping you. No body gives respect, you earn it.
Imran Khan is in dilemma whether to meet Donald Trump or not, because of the bitter tweets they exchange. Time to exchange sweets.
I would not recommend IK to visit Trump without preconditions.
Reactions change daily...so over excitement on one statement may hurt later
A US president is going to meet a "leader" in Pakistan first time
No Need to meet!!!!
Trump is right
Pakistan's dilemma is that they openly accept that there are non state actors and at the same time these non state actors have been treated as strategic assets.
It is not possible for any sovereign government to deal with Pakistan on 2 seemingly opposite ends , that is why both USA and India are unable to move forward on the civil dialogue process.
We will think about it and let me you know what are the chances of getting a new year
President Trump is accurate in his understanding.
What a difference a year makes
America had no choice but to come on the table with Pakistan, now lets end the blame game and fix this issue for good.
Guard national interests and forget what others think or say, this is what is expected of IK. That is how one commands respect.
when leadership is solid with vision and can look in the eye - you earn respect.
Those who contradict their own statements are not to be trusted. It is a simple rule of thumb. PM IK does not have time for those who are not in their right mind. PM IK would rather address issues in Pakistan than waste his time and energy in meaningless travel. Those who really want to meet him can always come to Pakistan, but only if they are invited!
Great diplomat PMIK. He can eat trump for breakfast. Bravo
US has never been our friend. We should not have any aid but trade with them.Our all efforts should based on Pakistan's benefit only.
Trump will stop the aid and then make Pakistan do as he wishes. Pakistan will have no choice.
Time to declare victory.
Finally Trump realised this!
Hope he is referring to relationship with Pak government,not with our possible discovery of oil reserves...
what trump says is true
I am sure IK will educate Trump if they meet and let’s hope that IK can convince Trump to invest in Pakistan.
Move with caution, Pakistan, and do not get trapped...
Any statesman would be well advised to stay away from Trump.
@Uttam, It’s not a dilemma, it’s called stance, it’s called correcting what Trump has assumed, Trump does not give money to Pakistan, it’s reimbursement, try to understand what you are talking about. And Trump and his Gebersks know that one thing is clear, the peace process must include Pakistan’s involvement
It is clear that Pakistan will not accept Us slavery ,keep your words and money dear Donald Trump
If Trump desires to meet PM Khan, Pakistan should not quickly accept the invitation because Trump speaks with forked tongue. He may talk smooth during the meeting but afterwards he will brag about in vicious terms.
Nothing this US president says can be taken at face value. He says one thing in the morning and the exact opposite the very same evening. He has no sense of what it means to be the leader of the free world. The Pakistani leadership would do well not accept anything he says for granted but instead holds its ground on matters that are fundamental to Pakistani security and prosperity.
Americans realising that they need Pakistan's help wrt situation in Afghanistan. Hence the change in aggressive tone
For the benefit of the entire world, hopefully this guy will be a one term.
Advise for Pakistan' s 'Leadership' is not to trust Donald Trump even a single bit. He has no sense of regional history. Moreover he has a firm believe that carrot and stick is the best policy.. For any meaningful future meeting it will be better if he is made to travel to Pakistan without a next visit to a neighboring country..
The war against Aghanistan has never benefited any invading Nations. The only beneficiaries are the Afghanistan and people of Afghanistan, even though at a very high price.
No need to meet trump in near future.
@srinivas, He said alot of things about Modi and his Library in Afghanistan
As US tax payer, I appreciate Trump holding our allies to honesty and high standard of conduct.
@Sunil, who is excited. As IK said, US is a super power, an old ally and we would like to be friends with them
@Wajahat Hussain , We are on our own feet. We are not asking for US aid and we have managed the economy without US assistance. US has just realised that it is them that need Pakistan badly.
@Chopra, '. Trump said, "I ended the 1.3 billion we paid,". We don't need American aid, thank you. We can manage.
India is nervous.
Both leaderships may set meeting venue through diplomatic channels. Sooner the foreign troops from Afghanistan may vacate , and thereafter it’s in immense interest of US & Pak, to work in unison for mutual interests & peace in S.Asia . PM Imran Khan is more than welcome in USA. The Pak Community in US had been helping Shaukat Khanum Hospital, and it’s imperative that PM IK must continue his endeavors in that direction too, besides the most preferred needs for Pak economy can be attained from US.
This should be interesting.
Pm IK is one person that clear trump mind about his wrong ideas of Pakistan! The honest strong leader of Pakistan! Take Pakistan forward!
On the one hand US wants Pakistan to help in the Afghanistan crisis while condemning our leaders as non helpful. We have paid in blood and ruined economy
Pakistan PM should consider Mr Trump offer in +ve direction, wait little more for few days, the Trump will bent more and release the $ 1.23 billion. PM is capable to handle this issue in much better cards than old Pakistan. PM should take all his benefits and do as the necessity of Pakistan.
Trump is a TV guy and is impulsive..just keep praising him and he will move in your direction.
Just a matter of time when Trump adds another twist.
The US President is unreliable and unstable. Don't expect friendship. Pakistan has to care for it's interest only.
Here's the reality, any time Trump is being nice, which is rare, it usually means nothing, simply because the real Trump comes out a day or two later. Trump is all about money and Trump, take the border wall for instance, he is willing to let over 800,000 Federal employees suffer just so he can get what he wants, and he never takes the blame, never admits his mistakes. No proud leader is willing to take Trump's verbal abuse, especially Imran Khan.
America has failed to bring any sort of peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan should not get involved in taking any sides, let's worry about our ownselves. Any help extended to US must be time bound to their exit from region and bringing peace in our neighborhood. Afghans will need error accept foreign occupation and hence no peace untill US exit the region.
Once money runs out, we know who will do what. it's just a matter of time.
@Anti-Corruption , agree
All that he said, what does it even mean?
Anyone using his words and statements in any calculus would be a total fool.
Trump is not only incoherent but is consistent also!Pakistanis know it surely by now but, the Indian folks must be ruing the library they made so lovingly for their Afghan brethren!
Pak has to quickly go to USA as FATF Deadline is near
Pakistan through Imran Khan finally has a leader that will not bow down to the U.S. during these discussions as was done before by previous PMs. A true leader will always negotiate with the interests of Pakistani's in mind instead of their own interests, or the interests of the U.S. through fear. It's time Pakistan stands up for its rights and rights of its people. We will all be watching to hold the leadership accountable to that standard.
Fat comming from Trump. You just have to look at the history of American government over the last 8 years. The worst offender of humanity and affront to any civilization.
@Chopra, -Trump has already stopped aid to Pakistan what else can he do? Pakistan in the past had faced a similar situation, Americans stopped aid after Pakistan went Nuclear. Pakistan survived, so it will do this time, we are a resilient nation, we know how to survive. Pakistan is the key to peace in Afghanistan. Trump knows it that is why he is issuing a conciliatory statement.
@Babu, two opposite ends? That describes the US and generally the western countries. When they give there is always a prize that they take in return.
India is saying the same thing since 1989!
The US stance doesn't "soften" or "harden". Its all about business. And for that, their tone can change in a moment. Just remember that, and keep to short or, at best, medium term interests and engagement. They can't be relied upon for anything longer.
This forthcoming face to face meeting is a great opportunity for both countries to reset their collective goals...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
No need to meet him. Waste of time.
And all this just hours after embarrassing india for their afghan library! Wow how the tables have turned!
@EMP, Also, relationship with countries like Turkey is the key especially because Turkey have put Saudi and US on the back foot after the murder.
Both USA and Pakistan have a common goal of USA getting out of Afghanistan. It shouldn’t be too difficult to agree on how to do that. Trump and IK should meet and figure it out.
U-Turn by Trump?
Trump speaks from both ends. Beware!
Despite of all the bluster Pakistan is so happy when Trump acknowledges existence once in a while.
@Manju, sure so he was accurate about Modi boasting about useless contribution. Absolutely correct
@ Jamil, "When they give there is always a prize that they take in return." And they don't always get what they want in return because they actually never give anything to start with.
@Mohan , "Despite of all the bluster Pakistan is so happy when Trump acknowledges existence once in a while." You cannot rule Pakistan out without hurting yourself. The world without Pakistan is a worst place compared to the one with it. Until you devise a better world without it, you'll have to live with it.That's the reality of Pakistan that is acknowledged time to time, although no one can stand its existence.
@Manju, "Trump speaks the truth." about the library.
@Sunil, "Reactions change daily...so over excitement on one statement may hurt later" The excitement is not about the statement, but about the change. The frequency of changes indicates movement and movement is always exciting.
@Babu, "It is not possible for any sovereign government to deal with Pakistan on 2 seemingly opposite ends , that is why both USA and India are unable to move forward on the civil dialogue process." Well said. So India and US would be advised to move forward on the civil dialogue process with those who only have one direction: Maldives, Mauritania, Peru, Papua New Guinea, and may more.
In Afghanistan war, USA played the game and Pakistan paid the price. A stern stance should be taken against USA. It was Pakistan who was at front and paid the price by blood of our beloved armed forces heroes. Teaming up with USA is not good for Pakistan. Do business with them but keep the distance.
It's just a trap and this time IK govt. should be more careful..
Every country has their interest, and Pakistan interest are not the same as the USA. Pakistan has to do what is good for pakistan and not what is good for USA. All countries will do what pakistan is doing
Advise to Imran Khan - Take advantage of Trump's benevolent mood. You never know when it might change.
do more
Mr. IK's schedule is full till 2023 or in case Trump is reelected, till 2024. Sorry, can't do for now.