Federal cabinet to meet today over Trump’s accusations

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet meeting has been called on Wednesday (today) to discuss US President Donald Trump’s recent statement, ARY News reported.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will preside over the federal cabinet meeting. The meeting has been convened in the backdrop of Trump’s latest statement, in which he heaped scorn on Islamabad for allegedly harbouring terrorists US is hunting in Afghanistan.

The federal cabinet will discuss in detail the US president’s fresh accusations against Pakistan and will strategize how to tackle the situation.

Other issues related to security situation of the country will also be discussed.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) is also scheduled to take place on Wednesday to take into consideration Trump’s remarks.

In his first tirade against any foreign country in the new year, the US president said that the United States has “foolishly” given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years and has gained nothing from it.

“They (Pakistan) have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools.They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!,” said Trump.

Trump’s accusations seemed to have further strained ties between the two countries. To lodge protest over his remarks, Pakistan on Monday summoned the US ambassador in Islamabad to the Foreign Office.

In his rejoinder, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif tweeted: “We will respond to President Trump’s tweet shortly Inshallah…Will let the world know the truth…difference between facts & fiction.”