Politicians react to Trump's remarks against Pakistan over Afghan policy

Politicians reacted strongly on Tuesday to the US President Donald Trump's remarks on Pakistan's role in the Afghan strategy, saying the latter was laying blame of its own failures on the country.

Earlier in the day, presenting America’s new policy pertaining to the war in Afghanistan, Trump lambasted Pakistan for "harbouring agents of chaos, violence, and terror. The US, he added, could “no longer be silent about safe havens for terrorist organisations”.

"So the US again blames Pak for its deeply flawed & failed Afghan policy stretching over a decade," Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan said on Twitter.

Imran went to add that Pakistan must turn down anymore demands by the US to "do more."

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Pakistan People's Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari cautioned the US to remember that Pakistan is not Afghanistan, and hence should be treated differently. Pakistan, he added, has rendered more sacrifices than the Americans in the war on terror.

Similarly, PPP senator Sherry Rehman stressed its time "for others", and not Pakistan, to "do more".

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Syed Ali Raza Abidi raised concerns on the US-India ties.

Abidi urged that the relationship between the two countries should not be based on dictation.

PTI's Asad Umar advised the US President to not resort to old tactics of exerting pressure on Pakistan.

Other politicians also reacted strongly to the remarks:

Meanwhile, Minister for Defence Khurram Dastgir Khan stressed  that the success of Zarb-e-Azb, Radd-ul-Fasaad and Khyber-4 are proof of a strong strategy against terrorism, Radio Pakistan reported.

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Recognising the contributions and sacrifices of the Pakistani military, Trump said the country has been a ‘valued partner.’ “Our militaries have worked together against common enemies. The Pakistani people have suffered greatly from terrorism and extremism. We recognise those contributions and those sacrifices.”

He went on to claim, however, that the US could “no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations,” warning that vital aid could be cut.

"It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace," he said, warming that vital aid could be cut. "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations."

An official response from the government and/or ISPR into the matter is still awaited.