KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: In an exclusive conversation with Geo News' show Aaj Shahzaib Khanzada Kay Sath on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif weighed in on US President Donald Trump?s new policy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

Trump cleared the way for the deployment of thousands more US troops to Afghanistan Monday, backtracking from his promise to rapidly end America's longest war, while pillorying ally Pakistan for offering safe haven to "agents of chaos."

Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan's commitment to fight against terrorism is for its own sake to emerge as an economic power in the region.

"There is neither any tolerance nor any safe haven for any terrorist in Pakistan. Pakistan has paid the highest price for (fighting) terrorism. So, we are fighting terrorism not for any country's stake but for our own future and for our country's sake," the Interior Minister said, adding that the Pakistani government would be issuing a statement in response to US President Donald Trump?s realignment policy.

China defends ally Pakistan

China defended its ally Pakistan on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump said the United States could no longer be silent about Pakistan's "safe havens" for militants and warned it had much to lose by continuing to "harbour terrorists".

Asked about Trump's speech, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Pakistan was on the front line in the struggle against terrorism and had made "great sacrifices" and "important contributions" in the fight.

"We believe that the international community should fully recognise Pakistan´s anti-terrorism," she told a daily news briefing.

"We are happy to see Pakistan and the United States carry out anti-terror cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, and work together for security and stability in the region and world."

China and Pakistan consider each other "all-weather friends" and have close diplomatic, economic and security ties. 

"We hope the relevant US policies can help promote the security, stability and development of Afghanistan and the region," Hua said.