{"id":40017,"date":"2017-08-23T21:07:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-23T21:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/23\/pakistan-alarmed-over-trumps-afghanistan-policy\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:11:53","slug":"pakistan-alarmed-over-trumps-afghanistan-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/asia-pacific\/2017\/08\/23\/pakistan-alarmed-over-trumps-afghanistan-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan alarmed over Trump\u2019s Afghanistan policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ISLAMABAD \u2014 Civilian and military authorities in Pakistan have reacted angrily to U.S. President Donald Trump\u2019s accusations that Islamabad provides safe havens for terrorists operating in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Monday, Trump said Pakistan had \u201cmuch to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists,\u201d and he questioned support for the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following day, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson described a bilateral \u201cerosion of trust,\u201d adding that the U.S. was willing to work with Pakistan but support could be conditional on the results in tackling terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Office reacted Wednesday claiming in a statement that the U.S. failed to recognize Pakistani sacrifices made in fighting terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a matter of policy, Pakistan does not allow use of its territory against any country. Instead of relying on the false narrative of safe havens, the U.S. needs to work with Pakistan to eradicate terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, director general of Inter-Services Public Relations, the Pakistani military\u2019s media arm, noted: \u201cAn American delegation recently visited Pakistan and acknowledged the Pakistan\u2019s efforts to uproot terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Central Command delegation headed by Gen. Joseph Votel had visited on Aug. 19 the North Waziristan Agency that borders Afghanistan, where the U.S. military officer praised Pakistan\u2019s efforts in clearing out the former militant stronghold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ghafoor also denied any terrorist safe havens existed in Pakistan, even for the Haqqani network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan\u2019s Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday also told U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale that the country was \u201cnot looking for any material or financial assistance from USA but trust, understanding and acknowledgement of our contributions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201dCollaboration and synergy of effort between all stakeholders is the key to success to bring this long-drawn war in Afghanistan to its logical conclusion,\u201d the general added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new U.S. approach does not impress analyst, author and former Australian defense attache to Islamabad Brian Cloughley. He believes it unsurprising that Washington should seek to blame Pakistan for its failures, but finds it telling the CENTCOM commander was able to visit Waziristan in Pakistan. \u201cHe couldn\u2019t visit Helmand\u201d across the border in Afghanistan, which is under full Taliban control, Cloughley said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He asserted victory has been unobtainable in Afghanistan for 16 years, with the country having only become \u201cmore corrupt and ungovernable\u201d since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has long believed the insurgency will continue until foreign troops leave, leading to the collapse of a central government and the rise of anarchy until a \u201cstrong man\u201c emerges to keep the country together. He also believes foreign troops should leave as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump also hinted at upgrading India\u2019s role in Afghanistan \u2014 a statement that alarmed Pakistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\t