Pakistan to US, do not to be made ‘scapegoat’ for Afghan failures

YemenExtra

Pakistan has hit out at Donald Trump’s allegations it is sheltering terrorists, made as the US leader announced a new Afghanistan strategy. Islamabad says Washington is making it a “scapegoat” for its own failures.

On Monday, Trump presented a new strategy for Afghanistan at the US Army’s Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.  During his speech, the US leader criticized Pakistan by saying it has “safe havens” for terrorists. Trump added that the US is running out of patience and wants to see more commitment to peace from the Pakistani government.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later followed Trump’s line, saying aid to Pakistan might be reviewed, as well as Islamabad’s status as a major non-NATO ally.

Islamabad condemned the US criticism of its fight against terrorism, accusing Washington of shifting the blame for its own failures.

Islamabad also said the protracted war in Afghanistan had failed to bring peace to the country and was not likely to succeed soon.

The US campaign in Afghanistan has long been criticized, having continued under three American leaders, including Trump.