Pakistan denies US allegations of destabilising Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected US President Donald Trump's allegations, with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif stating that Islamabad has backed all international efforts for a peaceful Afghanistan.

Giving a policy statement in the Senate following Trump's announcement of new regional policy, the minister denied the allegations of destabilisation of Afghanistan by Pakistan.

"Islamabad backed Washington and Kabul in restoring peace in Afghanistan through talks [with the Taliban]," he said.

President Trump on Tuesday cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan, backtracking from his promise to rapidly end America´s longest war while pillorying ally Pakistan for offering safe haven to "agents of chaos."

"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting," he said, warning that vital aid could be cut. “That will have to change and that will change immediately."

Asif said the National Security Committee, in its meeting on Thursday, completely rejected Donald Trump's allegations against Pakistan.

"Scapegoating Pakistan won't stabilise Afghanistan," said the foreign minister. 

He added that due to the Afghan issue there was an influx of refugees, drugs and arms in the country, while safe havens against Pakistan were formed on the Afghan soil.

Asif further said that Pakistan has always taken indiscriminate action against terrorists and has suffered over $120 billion losses in the war on terror.

"We don't allow our soil to be used against any country and expect other states to reciprocate it," Asif added.

The foreign minister also said the country is ready to cooperate with the United States and Afghanistan for lasting peace in the region. 

In regards to India, Asif said the eastern neighbour is trying to destabilise the country through its activities.