Pakistan condemns U.S. drone strike as violation of sovereignty

Pakistan on Sunday condemned an American drone strike in the country’s tribal region and said these attacks badly affect bilateral relations.

Security sources said earlier that a U.S. spy aircraft on Sunday morning fired missiles into North Waziristan tribal region and killed at least four people.

The unmanned drone fired two missiles on a house near Miranshah, headquarters of North Waziristan, tribesmen said.

“The Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the US drone strike that took place near Miranshah, North Waziristan today. These unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Foreign Ministry said.

A Foreign Ministry statement said Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes.

“The Government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications.”

The statement said such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations.

“These drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region.”

The Sunday’s strike was second US attack in the same region in less than ten days.

Six people were killed in a US drone strike on September 22. Earlier at least four people were killed when a US drone targeted a house with missiles in North Waziristan on August 31.

The Sunday’s strike was 21 in Pakistan this year, killing at least 117.

The latest strike was carried out just days after Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the American drone strikes in his speech at the UN General Assembly.

Pakistan insists the drone attacks are counterproductive and complicate the war against violent extremism.

The US has rejected Pakistan’s calls to halt the CIA-controlled drone campaign and Americans believe the attacks are essential to eliminate militants blamed for cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=41831

Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 29 2013. Filed under Latest News, 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.