Barely two weeks after the U.S. cut $255 million in aid to Pakistan because of what President Trump called its “lies and deceit” in the war on terror, the White House made clear on Wednesday it was not backing down from its position -- or strong language about-the government in Islamabad.
Asked by Newsmax if the president stood by his condemnation of “lies and deceit” by Pakistan, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders replied without hesitation: “Yes.”
Quoting a recent interview on Newsmax TV with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, we asked Sanders about the ambassador’s insistence that “Pakistan does not want aid. Pakistan wants respect [and] recognition of our work, and our contribution and sacrifices.”
Chaudhry went on to say his government “will urge [the United States] to stay engaged and not dwell on that part [Trump’s criticism} because that part will not be beneficial to either party.”
"Look,” replied the president’s top spokesman, “Our position is firm that we believe that withdrawing that aid is important and I would refer you to the State Department on anything beyond that.”
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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