Afghan envoy hails Trump for breaking silence on Pak’s support to terror

Washington, August 22

Afghanistan on Tuesday lauded President Donald Trump for breaking America’s “silence” on Pakistan providing sanctuaries to terrorists and embracing a strategy that gives the war-torn country what it needs.

Trump, in his first prime-time televised address to the nation as commander-in-chief, ruled out a hasty withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan to end America’s longest war.

He also warned Pakistan of consequences for providing safe havens to terrorists and sought an enhanced role for India to bring peace in the war-torn country.

Reacting to Trump’s address, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the US Hamdullah Mohib thanked President Trump for breaking America’s silence on Pakistan, which has been harbouring terrorists for attacks against its neighbours.

“We welcome this decision, which is the result of intense deliberations and takes into account both our countries’ needs and considerations. This is the first time a focus has been put on what Afghanistan must have to succeed, and we are grateful for this outcome,” Mohib said after Trump concluded his speech on Afghanistan and South Asia.

Mohib said Trump had embraced a strategy that gives Afghanistan what it needs, specifically a shift away from talking about timetables and numbers to letting conditions on the ground determine military strategy.

He also lauded the decision to integrate America’s military, economic and political power to achieve shared goals.

The strategy also expands “authority to move swiftly against terrorist activities and criminal networks in place of micromanagement from Washington” and “a breaking of the silence over Pakistan’s shelters and sanctuaries for terrorists”, the Afghan Ambassador said.

“Like America, Afghanistan also wants an honourable and enduring outcome” to this fight, for all the Afghan, US, and NATO soldiers who had served and sacrificed to advance the cause of peace, Mohib said.

In his address, Trump slammed Pakistan for its continued support to terrorist groups and warned Islamabad of consequences if it continued to do so. PTI