Pakistani PM Terms US Drones Strikes Counterproductive

Islamabad, Sept 18, IRNA – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has termed US drone strike inside Pakistani territory as counterproductive. “The US strategy of using drones strikes in Pakistan against terrorists not only violates our sovereignty and international law but also causes further radicalization in the society. These strikes undermine our collective efforts to counter extremism and terrorism. We hope that that the US rethinks about the utility of the drone strikes,” he said in his first exclusive interview with the Turkish media. PM Sharif is in Turkey for three-day official visit. During the visit, Pakistan and Turkey signed 12 MoUs and mutual agreements to boost cooperation in various sectors, including solar and wind energy, agriculture, tax issues, low cost housing projects and education. The PM while addressing a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan here after co-chairing the 3rd High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting, termed the meeting very productive and said that there was unanimity of views between the two sides on various issues of bilateral and regional interest. Prime Minister Sharif said Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed very special relations bonded with fraternal ties rooted in history, culture and religion. He also called on Turkish counterpart Tayyap Erodgan in Ankara and exchanged views on regional and global issues. On the occasion PM Sharif said that Pak-Turk relations are exemplary and deals made with brotherly country will be followed immediately. Sharif also met with Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Güler. During the meeting he said that Pakistan would seek help and guidance from Turkey in effectively wiping out the menace of extremism from the country./end