The United States of America wants a good relationship with Pakistan, but it’s easier said than done as the country “houses enemies,” president Donald Trump said.
"We want to have a great relationship with Pakistan, but they house the enemy. They take care of the enemy. We just can't do that," Trump said while speaking to his Cabinet colleagues, reported Press Trust of India.
America’s relationship with Islamabad has been strained ever since it stopped $1.3 billion in military aid to the country.
However, Trump said he was looking forward to working with the new leadership in Pakistan under prime minister Imran Khan.
"So, I look forward to meeting with the new leadership in Pakistan. We will be doing that in the not too distant future. But I ended USD 1.3 billion that we paid. I think it was water, we were just paying to Pakistan. So, I ended that," he said.
Trump had earlier defended his administration’s decision to stop funding to Pakistan, saying the country has done nothing for the US. Trump also accused Pakistan of providing a safe haven to Al-Qaeda terrorists.
"We give Pakistan USD 1.3 billion a year... (Laden] lived in Pakistan, we're supporting Pakistan, we're giving them USD 1.3 billion a year - which we don't give them any more, by the way, I ended it because they don't do anything for us, they don't do a damn thing for us," he had said.
"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump added.
Responding to the accusation, Pakistan prime minister Khan took to Twitter to point out that his country had suffered 75,000 casualties and lost $123bn in the US War On Terror.
"Trump's false assertions add insult to the injury Pak has suffered in US WoT [War on Terror] in terms of lives lost & destabilised & economic costs," Khan wrote.
"He needs to be informed abt historical facts. Pakistan has suffered enough fighting US's war. Now we will do what is best for our people & our interests."
