Those supporting terror can’t be friend of US: White House on suspension of aid to Pakistan

The US administration had suspended nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan in January accusing the country of not doing enough in the fight against terrorism

The White House today said that the decision was Trump administration was aimed at sending a long overdue message to aid recipients that they cannot be America’s friend while supporting or condoning terror.

The US administration had suspended nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan in January accusing the country of not doing enough in the fight against terrorism. 

Last month, the Trump administration had suspended nearly USD 2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan accusing the country of not doing enough in the fight against terrorism.  

Citing Trump’s recent decision, the White House in a detailed fact sheet on his foreign policy said, “President Trump is making clear to our allies that they cannot be America’s friend while supporting or condoning terror.” 

“The President has suspended security assistance to Pakistan, sending a long overdue message to aid recipients that we expect them to fully join us in combating terrorism,” the White House said in the fact sheet after Trump’s first State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Pakistan has denied the allegations of supporting terrorism. 

According to the White House, Trump will relentlessly pursue threats to America’s security, prioritising efforts to confront and defeat radical Islamic terror and the ideology that sustains it. 

“President Trump’s conditions-based South Asia strategy provides commanders with the authority and resources needed to deny terrorists the safe haven they seek in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” it said.