Pakistan Prepares Tough Diplomatic Policy for US

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is ready with a tough diplomatic policy if the US imposes any sanctions on it or lowers Islamabad's major non-NATO ally status over failure to crack down on militants, according to a media report.

Pakistan's new strategy comes after US President Donald Trump, while unveiling his new policy for South Asia and Afghanistan, criticised Pakistan for providing safe havens to militants.

A day after Trump's announcement, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson suggested that US could downgrade Islamabad's status as a major non-NATO ally if it does not crack down on militants.

The Express Tribune reported that the Pakistan government has prepared a three-option 'toughest diplomatic policy'.

According to official sources, the policy includes gradually limiting diplomatic relations with the US, reducing mutual cooperation on terrorism-related issues and non- cooperation in US strategy for Afghanistan."The last option may include a ban on using Pakistani land for NATO supplies to Afghanistan," according to the newspaper.

However, the policy will be implemented after the approval of the National Security Committee.

Meanwhile, the US and Pakistan are expected to sort out their differences during the meetings between their leaders on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session starting tomorrow.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is expected to meet US Vice President Mike Pence while the foreign ministers of the two countries are also expected to meet.

'Miyan Ki Daud Masjid Tak'

Meanwhile, Taking a jibe at Pakistan, a top Indian diplomat has said Islamabad's decision to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN, which has not been discussed at the world body for decades, is like 'Miyan ki daud masjid tak'.

India on the other hand is focused on progressive, forward looking agenda during the UN General Assembly session beginning Monday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said on Saturday.

"I have outlined our approach that is progressive forward looking. We are visionary in our goals. If on the other hand there are other countries, who as you say, focus on yesterday's issues then they are yesterday's people," Akbaruddin said in response to a question on reports that Pakistan plans to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN.

Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly this week.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj would deliver her address on September 23.

"If they (Pakistan) focus on an issue which has not been on the discussion table in the UN now for decades, not for years, for decades..., if this is what they want to focus on, so be it. To be his own... Miyan ki daud masjid tak," Akbaruddin said, referring to a popular Urdu proverb meaning some people think within a limited focus and are unable to think beyond that.

A day earlier, Pakistan's foreign ministry had said that Abbasi would be raising the Kashmir issue at the UN.