Pakistan always opposes drone strikes; says Hina Rabbani Khar

Terming the drone strike severe violation of international laws, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has reiterated Pakistan’s demand to the United States to immediately stop the campaign in tribal region of the country.

In an interview with a television station prior in Tehran to the Non-Aligned Movement Summit on Thursday, the minister said that drone attacks were illegal and Pakistan has always opposed them at all forums.

“The Pakistani parliament is also against the drone attacks. Talks with US are underway to sort out alternatives for countering terrorism”, she said.

In her view, Pakistan’s position was clear and had been clear in the past. The position is that the drone campaign is something which is counter-productive and unlawful.

She added that they were close discussion with the US to find different ways and means to be able to achieve the same objectives.

It is vital to mention here that the killing of Pakistani civilians, including women and children, in drone strikes has strained relations between Islamabad and Washington, prompting Pakistani officials to send warnings to the US administration over the strikes.

Earlier, the minister in her speech during a pre-session of NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) summit stressed the need to respect for human rights and territorial integrity of all states to ensure an enduring peace and progress in the world.

She stated, “We all know peace and development are mutually reinforcing and without peace we cannot even think of development and prosperity”.

Calling for a just solution of the Palestine issue on the basis of Palestinians’ right to self-determination, she stressed an immediate end to the ongoing bloodshed in Syria.

Afghanistan would need support of NAM fraternity as it moved towards the transition phase in 2014, she added.

Khar stated, “We believe every country and nation is entitled to nurture and promote these values in accordance with their own historical experience, cultural and religious values”.

In her view, restrictions on the flow of technology, especially advanced technology, to developing countries and environmental degradation due to over-consumption by the rich at the cost of the poor in developing countries were additional problems.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=31820

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Aug 30 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.