A policy of respect, not criticism, should be followed when it comes to Pakistan, according to the United Kingdom’s Labour Party chief Jeremy Corbyn.

The comments referred to US President Donald Trump’s August 22 speech in which he accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to terrorists while unveiling the new US policy for Afghanistan and South Asia.

“Pakistan must be treated with respect, and all countries should avoid criticising it,” said Corbyn, leader of Britain’s main opposition party, during an interview with BBC Urdu.

“All the countries of the world should make all-possible efforts for the eradication of terrorism,” Corbyn said.

He went on to add that Trump’s proposed increase in the number of US troops in the war-torn Afghanistan is a continuation of previous failed policies in Afghanistan.

“I do not support it. The solution to the Afghan crisis is a political dialogue,” he added.

Speaking about the Rohingya crisis, Corbyn said he respected Myanmar’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi and would remind her that “when you were under house arrest, we held marches for you and supported your struggle for human rights. Now you should also respect the human rights of Rohingya Muslims the same way…and ensure that they get their full rights as citizens and not be expelled from their homes”.

This piece originally appeared in The Express Tribune on September 07, 2017. Original link

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