Pakistan Parliamentary Panel Condemns US Defense Secretary

Islamabad, May 8 ,IRNA– Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PNSC), has condemned statement by US Secretary of Defense that the US will continue drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal regions. Leon E. Panetta said last week the Obama administration would continue launching drone strikes in the tribal area of Pakistan because these attacks 'ensured America’s security'. The Committee in a meeting reviewed the statement of Panetta about drone attacks and termed his statement as inappropriate. Chairman of the Committee Senator Raza Rabbani said that the country's sovereignty would not be compromised at any cost, adding, 'The US drone attacks are not only violation of sovereignty of Pakistan but also against the international laws.' The Chairman said that Committee recommendations regarding Pakistan-US relations were clear. About restoration of NATO supply, he said it was an administrative matter. Earlier, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar briefed the PNSC on ongoing talks with the US and said, 'We have told the US officials that the drone attacks violate our sovereignty.' She said that Pakistan was holdings talks with the US officials in the light of parliamentary recommendations. She said that talks at this point could not be termed a failure./end