Pakistan Says World Concerned At US Drone Attacks

Islamabad, Jan 23, IRNA -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Tuesday told the parliament that the world is raising concerns on the civilian casualties in the American drone strikes. The United States has ruled out any change in the CIA-controlled drone mission in Pakistan, claiming that it is a key to eliminate the militants operating from Pakistan’s Waziristan tribal region. However Pakistan insists that the drone campaign has complicated the anti-terror drive and that the attacks also kill civilians. “We repeatedly have raised our concerns on the U.S. drone strikes which are proving counter-productive in the war against terrorism,” Foreign Minister Khar told the Senate or Upper House of the parliament in a policy statement on foreign policy issues. She said an opinion is emerging in the entire world including the US which goes against the drone attacks and considers them as counter-productive. She went on to say that Pakistan considers drone strikes on the Tribal Areas as violation of its sovereignty. “We will take up drone attacks issue with Washington & its Ambassador to Pakistan.” She said. About reports that Washington has prepared a new drone policy‚ the Foreign Minister said we have no clarification from the US in this regard. These are just media reports but we take up this issue with Washington and its Ambassador to Pakistan. The U.S. has also not yet entertained Pakistanˈs repeated calls for drone technology to use it against the militants. Majority in Pakistan strongly opposes the U.S. drones policy and view it as violation of the countryˈs sovereignty. Khar said that the government was not oblivious to the challenges confronting the country. She said Pakistan wanted cordial ties with all neighboring states, including India, adding that Pakistan’s foreign minister and army chief would not be issuing irresponsible statements as had been made by their Indian counterparts during the recent escalations along the Line of Control, which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region./end