Trump's views about Pakistan have mostly been negative with some positive remarks after he assumed office
In an indication that he might stop US aid to Pakistan, President Donald Trump on Monday said that the United States has "foolishly" handed Islamabad more than $33 billion in aid over the last 15 years while getting nothing in return. Trump took to his favourite medium - Twitter - to warn Pakistan that it gives safe haven to the terrorists.
Donald Trump's negative views about Pakistan are well-known as he often targeted the South Asian nation publicly in his speeches and tweets before assuming the office of the POTUS. He, however, has been more liberal in his views about Pakistan in the last one year, at least on Twitter.
Whatever the US policy on Pakistan might be, Trump, while in office, has chided as well as praised the nuclear-powered nation for its policies.
Here we compile some of the statements Trump has made about Pakistan before and after occupying White House:
January 1, 2018:
"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more," Trump tweeted.
December 18, 2017:
"And we have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced the National Security Strategy (NSS).
October 13, 2017:
"Starting to develop a much better relationship with Pakistan and its leaders. I want to thank them for their cooperation on many fronts," he said in a tweet.
August 21, 2017:
"For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen," Trump said in his South Asia policy speech.
"The next pillar of our new strategy is to change the approach and how to deal with Pakistan. We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with our effort in Afghanistan. It has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists."
"We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately. No partnership can survive a country’s harboring of militants and terrorists who target U.S. service members and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilization, order, and to peace," he said.
June 27, 2017:
India-US joint statement: "The leaders (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump) called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. They further called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot, and other cross-border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Pakistan-based groups.
Before being elected as President, Trump was more unforgiving to Pakistan and often launched verbal attacks against the country.
Here are a few examples:
April 28, 2016:
"I would stay in Afghanistan. It's probably the one place we should have gone in the Middle East because it's adjacent and right next to Pakistan which has nuclear weapons," Trump told Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly in an interview.
"We give a lot of aid to Pakistan. We give a lot of money to Pakistan. And frankly, they will do -- they don't have any respect for our president. But when you say they take advantage or they are no friend. Nobody is a friend to us. They just take us like a bunch of suckers, Bill. And that's what my speech was about to a certain extent. It was also economic in terms of economic, relative to aid and the military. But Pakistan certainly takes advantage like everybody else. Nobody is different."
March 29, 2016:
"Look, look, Pakistan is a very, very vital problem and really vital country for us because they have a thing called nuclear weapons. They have to get a hold of their situation," Trump said in an interview with CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
Mar 27, 2016:
"Another radical Islamic attack, this time in Pakistan, targeting Christian women & children. At least 67 dead,400 injured. I alone can solve," Trump tweeted.
Feb 18 , 2014:
"Do you think John Kerry is aware of the fact that they are building nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea and Pakistan already has them!!"
July 9, 2013:
"Pakistani intelligence had full knowledge that Bin Laden was living in Abbottabad. They were sheltering him."
July 5, 2012:
"When will Pakistan apologize to us for providing safe sanctuary to Osama Bin Laden for 6 years?! Some "ally.""
January 17, 2012:
“Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. We’ve given them billions and billions of dollars, and what did we get? Betrayal and disrespect—and much worse.” #TimeToGetTough"
December 6, 2011:
"Get it straight: Pakistan is not our friend. When our tremendous Navy SEALS took out Osama bin Laden, they did…."
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