WASHINGTON, Mar 05 (NNI): US President Donald Trump has expressed his appreciation and thanks to Pakistan over its assistance in the arrest of a terrorist responsible for 2021 bombing of Kabul Airport in which several American troops were killed.
Addressing a joint session of the US Congress in Washington, President Trump said the arrest was made possible with the help of Pakistan and soon this terrorist will in the US to face justice.
During his address, President Trump said the person responsible for killing 13 US service members during the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 had been arrested with the help of Pakistan and was now on his way to the United States to face justice.
“Three and a half years ago, a terrorist killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing,” Trump said.
Trump, in his speech which was the longest by any president, an hour and 49 minutes, revealed: “Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.”
After a brief pause and a round of applause, Trump thanked the Government of Pakistan for helping apprehend the “monster” and added that it was “a very huge day for the affected families”.
“This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, whom I actually got to know very well, whose children were murdered. What a horrible day,” Trump said.
Trump then turned his guns to his predecessor, Joe Biden, and mentioned that the attack occurred during the “disastrous and incompetent” withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Noting that he isn’t criticising the withdrawal, but rather the manner in which it was carried out. “Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country – such incompetence was shown.”
On August 26, 2021, two suicide bombers and gunmen had attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport, killing some 170 Afghans and 13 US troops who were securing the airport for the traumatic exit. The militant Islamic State (IS) group had claimed responsibility for the killings.
In April 2023, the White House said Afghan Taliban government forces killed the attack’s mastermind, identifying him as a “key” leader of the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K).
Mohammad Sharifullah, who was allegedly involved in the planning of the bombing, was being extradited to the US, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official.
Pakistan acted on information from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) that led to the arrest of Sharifullah, CNN added.
Trump’s CIA Director, John Ratcliffe, raised the issue during his first phone call with the Pakistani intel chief, which took place during his first few days on the job, CNN said.
Trump vowed to “wage war” on Mexico’s drug cartels, which he accused of rape and murder as well as “posing a grave threat” to US national security.
“The cartels are waging war on America, and it’s time for America to wage war on the cartels, which we are doing,” Trump told a joint session of Congress, a ramping up of rhetoric after his administration designated several Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
The United States economy is set to see some “disturbance” from tariffs, President Donald Trump said Tuesday, but he touted levies as a tool that would help domestic industries boom.
“Tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs. They’re about protecting the soul of our country,” Trump said in his first address to a joint session of Congress since returning to the White House. “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that. It won’t be much,” he added.
He warned that those who do not make their products in the United States will have to pay levies, “in some cases a rather large one.”
Trump also took aim at the European Union and countries including Canada, Brazil, India, Mexico and South Korea over what he called “unfair” practices. “This is happening by friend and foe. This system is not fair to the United States, and never was,” he said.
He added that reciprocal tariffs tailored to US trading partners would “kick in” on April 2 to remedy the situation.
Trump promised “trillions of dollars” in gains from levies, alongside job creation, stressing that rescuing the economy was among his “very highest priorities.”
Cost-of-living pressures were a key issue in the November election that saw Trump return to power, and the Republican has promised to swiftly reduce prices.
To combat lingering inflation, Trump has vowed to lower energy costs and cut federal spending. He said he seeks “permanent income tax cuts all across the board.”
Trump has moved swiftly to impose tariffs hitting some $1.4 trillion in US imports from Canada, Mexico and China — with further levies in the pipeline.
The moves sent shockwaves through financial markets, drawing swift retaliation including announcements of counter-tariffs and other measures.
While economists have warned that sweeping tariff hikes will dent US GDP growth and cause a near-term increase in inflation, Trump’s promises of tax cuts and deregulation are among plans that could boost growth down the road.
On Tuesday, Trump took aim as well at the CHIPS Act, with a nearly $53 billion program involving subsidies to stimulate the US chipmaking sector. NNI
