Trump Flirted With Us but Signed Defence Deal With India, Says Sheikh Rashid
Former Pakistani minister and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has criticised former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of hypocrisy in foreign policy. Speaking to reporters outside an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi, Rashid remarked that Trump flirted with us but went on to sign a ten-year defence agreement with India.
His comments came after the recent U.S.–India defence cooperation pact, which aims to strengthen military and strategic ties between Washington and New Delhi. Rashid suggested that such developments expose double standards in international relations, especially regarding South Asian security dynamics.
Legal Frustrations Over Travel Restrictions
The veteran politician also expressed anger over being prevented from travelling abroad despite judicial approval. He said that although the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench had allowed him to leave the country, immigration officials at Islamabad International Airport stopped him from boarding his flight to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
According to Rashid, both Justice Sadaqat Ali and the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had removed objections to his travel and ordered his name be deleted from the Exit Control List (ECL). However, authorities allegedly failed to comply.
We will challenge this in the High Court, he stated, claiming that he has always appeared in court for his hearings and was present in Pakistan at the time of the alleged incident in his case.
Criticism of Global Double Standards
Rashid went on to accuse Western powers of following contradictory policies in the region. He argued that while the U.S. praises Pakistan’s cooperation on counterterrorism, it simultaneously signs strategic defence agreements with India.
“The decisions being made on the global stage clearly show the existence of double standards,” he said, adding that Pakistan must remain vigilant about its security and diplomatic interests.
Broader Context
The U.S. and India have strengthened defence and technology cooperation under the U.S.–India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET). Analysts say the ten-year pact aims to counter China’s growing regional influence.
Pakistan, meanwhile, has expressed concern that such agreements may disturb the strategic balance in South Asia.
Despite facing multiple court cases, Sheikh Rashid remains an outspoken figure in Pakistani politics, often using sharp rhetoric against both domestic rivals and international powers. His latest remarks reflect growing unease in Islamabad over Washington’s deepening military ties with New Delhi.
