Pak summons US ambassador over Trump's outburst over Twitter

Pakistan has summoned US Ambassador David Hale to register its protest after President Donald Trump accused the country of lying and deceiving America by sheltering terrorists while receiving billions of dollars in foreign aid, a media report said on Tuesday.

The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) summoned Hale on Monday's night. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua sought an explanation from Hale over Trump's remarks, The Express Tribune reported.

There was no immediate response from foreign office officials.

Trump, on Monday,  tore into Pakistan accusing it of giving nothing to the US but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists in return for $33 billion aid over the last 15 years thinking of American leaders as "fools".

In his strongest attack against Pakistan yet, Trump in his first tweet of the year on New Year's day also appeared to suggest he could cut off foreign aid to Pakistan.

"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," Trump tweeted on New Year's Day.

"They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!"

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif responded immediately and said, "...Will let the world know the truth... difference between facts and fiction."
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'Foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, Afghanistan to hold talks in 2017'

The foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan will hold their first trilateral talks within this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday.

Wang made the remarks during a press conference after a meeting with visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said Pakistan and Afghanistan are important countries in the region and he hoped the two nations could work together to safeguard stability in the region.

China attaches great importance to the relations with Pakistan and Afghanistan, and actively helps the two countries narrow their differences and enhance mutual trust. It is also exploring opportunities to develop cooperation among the three countries, Wang said.

Through consultations, the three countries' Foreign Ministers will hold their first trilateral talks this year, Wang said, adding that they will focus on strategic communication, practical cooperation and security dialogue.

On the anti-terrorism issue, Wang said terrorism is a global problem and all countries should work together to solve it.
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