Trump's 'safe haven for terrorist' remark: We want peace, stability in Afghanistan, says Pakistan

Pakistan said today it wanted "peace and stability" in Afghanistan after President Trump singled out Pakistan for harbouring terrorists while announcing his Afganistan strategy.

Trump unveiled his Afghanistan plan today committing more troops and fight an all out war against Taliban who have been fighting against US-led coalition forces since 2001.

"The consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable," he said. "A hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum that terrorists, including IS and al Qaeda, would instantly fill."

On Pakistan, the president said: "We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens," Trump said. "Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor terrorists." 

Pakistan's foreign ministry said it wanted "peace and stability in Afganistan". The ministry said Pakistan  continued to desire to work with the International Community to eliminate the menace of terrorism."

On India, Trump said the world's largest democracy is a key security and economic partner of the United States. 

"We appreciate India's important contributions to stability in Afghanistan, but India makes billions of dollars in trade with the United States, and we want them to help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development," Trump said. 

Pakistan had, in fact, declared it had taken action against all Islamist militants including the Haqqani network just hours ahead of a US announcement on Afghan policy on Monday.

"There are no terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. We have operated against all terrorists, including (the) Haqqani network," spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told a media briefing in Islamabad.

He said evidence to that effect was shared with General Joseph Votel, chief of the US Central Command, who visited Pakistan over the weekend.