US wants great relation with Pakistan, but "this country houses enemies", says Donald Trump

Trump said that he withdrew the USD 1.3 billion financial assistance to Pakistan because “ this South Asian country houses enemies”.

Imran Khan. Photo: Facebook

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump said he wants a great relationship with Pakistan and said he was looking forward to meeting the newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan. Trump said this while he was speaking to his cabinet colleagues in a meeting. In the same meeting though,Trump said that he withdrew the USD 1.3 billion financial assistance to Pakistan because “ this South Asian country houses enemies”. He alleged that Islamabad has not been fair to the US. "We want to have a great relationship with Pakistan, but they house the enemy. They take care of the enemy. We just can't do that," Trump was quoted as saying by PTI. However, CNN reported that senator Lindsay Graham wants US to offer Pakistan a free trade agreement as an incentive for Islamabad if it pushes the Taliban to the negotiating table with the US. Imran Khan was sworn in as Pakistan's Prime Minister in August last year. A month ago Trump wrote to PM Khan seeking the country’s aid with the Afghan peace talks and support in bringing the Taliban to the table to end the 17-yer-long war.