US should treat us, India equally, says Pakistan

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua has urged the United States to treat both Islamabad and New Delhi on an equal footing.

Addressing the Senate's Standing Committee on External Affairs on Friday, Janjua expressed deep concern over U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's comments about Pakistan during his unannounced visit to Afghanistan and said his remarks were worrisome.

The United States should take into consideration Pakistan's concerns, and treat both Pakistan and India equally, Geo News quoted Janjua as saying.

She reiterated that Pakistan wants to resolve all issues through negotiations with India.

Outlining United States President Donald Trump's strategy in Afghanistan, Pence had said that Pakistan has been providing a safe haven to the Taliban and many terrorist organisations for too long but now those days are over as President Trump has put Islamabad on notice.

"For too long Pakistan has provided safe haven to the Taliban and many terrorist organizations, but those days are over. President Trump has put Pakistan on notice," Pence told the U.S. troops during his surprise trip to Bagram Air Base on Thursday.

"As the President said, so I say now: Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the United States, and Pakistan has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists," he added.

The trip, planned in secret for safety reasons, comes four months after Trump unveiled a new strategy for Afghanistan and is also Pence's first visit to the region since taking office as the U.S. Vice President. 

-ANI