Time to say bye to US aid: Shahbaz Sharif

Pakistan’s Punjab province Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that it is time to say goodbye to US aid after President Donald Trump made harsh remarks and “exaggerated statements” about the financial assistance to Islamabad.

Mr Shahbaz’s statement comes days after Mr Trump alleged that Pakistan received billions of dollars in aid but did not act against “terrorist havens” in the country.

Mr Trump had lashed out at Pakistan, accusing the country of playing a double game as it accepted American aid but gave safe haven to insurgents who kill Afghan and Nato troops.

“The exaggerated comments being made in the national and international discourse regarding the US aid to Pakistan are tantamount to rubbing salt into the wounds of Pakistanis suffering terrorism, poverty and backwardness,” said Mr Shahbaz, the younger brother of ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

In a statement, he said it’s time Pakistan closed the chapter of the US aid by politely saying “thank you” (for the help), the Dawn reported. “That’s the only way the nation can avert such jibes,” he was quoted as saying by the paper. 

Mr Shahbaz said it’s time for Pakistan to politely and gratefully close the chapter on the US assistance so that the bilateral relationship can be freed from the shadow of repeated contemptuous taunts.