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Gilani, Kayani condemn drone attack
Kayani calls attack unjustified; Gilani says attack will only strengthen the hands of radical extremists.
Kayani calls attack unjustified; Gilani says attack will only strengthen the hands of radical extremists.
ISLAMABAD:
Reacting strongly to Thursday’s predator attack in North Waziristan Agency, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani claimed that civilians were killed in the attack.
Without giving any number of casualties, the army chief said the attack was in violation of human rights and was “unjustified and intolerable under any circumstances.”
“Such acts of violence take us away from our objective of elimination of terrorism. It is imperative to understand that this critical objective can not be sacrificed for temporary tactical gains. Security of people of Pakistan, in any case, stands above all,” an ISPR statement quoted the army chief as saying. In his strongly-worded statement, the army chief said it is highly regrettable that a jirga of peaceful citizens including elders of the area was carelessly and callously targeted with complete disregard for human life.
He said that the Pakistan Army condoles with the families whose dear and near ones have been martyred in the attack. Troops on the ground have been ordered to render all possible assistance to the bereaved families, he added.
“The Pakistan Army has already launched a protest in the strongest possible terms.” he added.
Earlier this month, a senior military commander told journalists in Miramshah that the majority of those killed in the predator strikes were militants. The military said that at least 164 drone attacks have been carried out during the past four years, which have killed around 1,000 people of which 793 were locals and 171 foreigners.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani also strongly condemned the attack in Datta Khel, North Waziristan Agency and said it will only strengthen the hands of radical and extremist elements.
A statement issued late Thursday night said that, “He reiterated that such irrational behaviour negatively impact the efforts to separate the militants from the peaceful and patriotic tribesmen of the areas.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2011.
Reader Comments (67)
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Its time you take down one now so that they dont fly one again later! its just at a click of a button you can engage this predatorRecommend
wah g kia baat ki hai, zabardast reaction. abhi yeah kerry lugar bill hota to apni chohdrahat k liay, mera matlab hai country ki salamti k liay, Kiayani sahib boooohat ziyada takleef farmatay. in ki meharbani hai k is tarah kay bayanat say apni nalaiqee chupa laytay hain, aur stupid awam khush. keunk jawabi hamla to army ka kaam nahi hai.Recommend
this attack is the gift of release of Raymond Davis, the CIA agent. the Pakistani government in common and our security agencies in special must see writing on the wall, that for a common Pakistani, we are a colony of America. we are no less a free nation. i suggest that the government should part ways with America and give attention to the will of the people.Recommend
If the good general does not like the drone strikes why doesnt he stop allowing them to fly from Pakistani airbases?Recommend
Why uk is giving 250 million euro to pakistan every year??why is united states paying you all 2 billion dollar yearly?
Although 20% of people were terrorists,i find no harm in sweeping the other 80% since they were all potential threats.
if pakistan cant clean the mess,american,british tax payers money would do it in form of drones or predators.
Some humane losses are always sacrificed .So better act and target real people than spread anti american sentiments against drone targets.
Grown up pakistan,Don think of revenge.Dont protect terrorism and dont convert dacoits into innocent.Heard of Davis case!!Recommend
Come on don’t get annoyed. Its hardly a matter of few more dollars to you beggars, don’t worry, US will give you.Recommend
Looks kiyani want “blood money” for the drone attacks victims too.Recommend
No need for lip service. Shoot down one of those drone if you have any real guts.Recommend
We people of Pakistan strongly condemn this kind of crimes against humanity and state of affairs presented by both Pakistan and USA governments.
Bodies of innocent civilians are buried under one liner by representatives of Pakistan Government who are bound to protect its civilians.
Pakistan belongs to Proud Pakistanis and,
No aircraft should be allowed in Pakistan air space.Recommend
The Army Khawaja Sara has spoken up by arrangement of course between CIA Lite (formerly known as ISI) and the CIA. Please note that the drones take off from a base in Pakistan given to them by our Beloved Army. So when our Citizens Die we know who targeted them.Recommend
Thanks to the Chief Protector. Condemnation by our honorable Prime Minister was enough in this regard. But our honorable Chief of Army Staff goes an extra mileRecommend
A commander of National Security and A Prime Minister of a country, condemning the foreign attacks, rather striking back to drone planes, rather stopping these attacks. These condemning statements shows that how much power less and shame less they are.Recommend
O are you alive General?Recommend
Mr. Kiyani, stop these crocodile tears. Shame on you for first arranging Raymond David’s release at the expense of Pakistanis’ blood and then for working with Americans thugs to bomb Pakistani people (I am saying Pakistani people and not your own people because you and likes of you can’t be one of us for the hell you are helping to loose on Pakistani people).
Now you have nerves to pretend to be clueless of what America is doing. I am sure you will have to be accountable in hereafter if you feel you are untouchable in this world.
I am not even going to reflect on civilian leadership’s statements as its not even worth boiling my blood on these traitors.Recommend
this is the extremity of insecurityRecommend
I am surprised by General’s comments. This is a war against terror where Pakistan is a very important partner.US, drone attacks solve an important problem. There is no need for the US to physically be there and Collateral damage is minimal.Recommend
Another show of Bravado for local consumption. They are any way toothless tigers as the RD affair has shown!Recommend
Forget it Chief, think about $$ Dollar $$Recommend
strong protest against america??????????????/………………..you must be jokingRecommend
Shame on Kayani, its only face saving protest after Raymod Davis release. Americans are killing innocent Pakistanis on Streets and through Drones.
we are spending more Taxpayers money on purchase of single F-16 than whole education budget of Federal Government of Pakistan. what for?? to put them in showcase !!!
its time for us to cut all military relationship with America and should block their land routes to Afghanistan.Recommend
I think this is a time to say America to Stop Drones else we will blow .Recommend
The shamelessness of these leaders to mock at the nation? After glorifying Raymond Davis with
blood money and coerced pardon from the victim’s families,How did they think that the Zionist Government of USA will not behave in ugliest manner after their goriest achievement! Best for this government not to shed crocodile tears or be apologetic to the public. Rather they should now announce ” Blanket Immunity” for all Americans working in Pakistan and help them achieve their goals. If these leaders stop being bigots and make not pun of religious dogma in their quest for glory. Instead they should try to comprehend these two qoutations they would do great service to the nation and themselves:
Your position never gives you the right to command. It only imposes on you the duty of so living your life, that others can receive your orders without being humiliated-
Your errors of the past make your relations to others difficult, when the present shows that you might repeat them-
Infact they leave no stone unturned in not repeating blunder after blunder! Could the PM and the
COAS stop thinking about this war against terror which is ruse for US geo-political hegemony in
this region to keep Afghanistan as a Strategic Fulcrum from where they can swing at will on any
of the six Muslim nations that border Afghanistan, incase their vested interest feels threatened.Recommend
What they can do except yelling ! This is how we are loosing our people and our land. Time will tell us what mistakes are we doing. Mr. Kyani this is the time for action not words.Recommend
Condemn,condemn and condemn…thats what our army can do best! I wonder how’ll army feel if taliban start condemning attacks on ghq and against military forces.lol
Sellouts! disgraced to depth! Keep taking extensions Mr.Kiyani and Pasha sahab,destroy our once respected institution.
PS: we havent forgotten your role in NRO!Recommend
Already there is a speculation about Davis release that it is being related to extension of ISI chief’s services, it means every recruitment whether its a civilian or military is taking place with the approval of Uncle Sam. If that be case, why this huge cry ? To cheat the innocent civilians?
Moreover, if the drone attacks are taking place with the approval (secret ?) of the GOP and with co-ordination from their intelligence inputs, why blame US alone ? Again to, cover their mistake.
Its time that military and civil elites stop fooling their people and make a straight forward deal with the US on drone attacks !!!Recommend
please check your bank accounts both gilani and kiyani….and zardari nawaz as welll…..your share of dollars has been transferred so turn around waive ur tail toward amreka…..first time in ma life i felt shame to see sold Pakistan army and ISI…it is normal for governments….Recommend
Kayani se Gilani tak OR Gilani se Kayani tak?
I think it’s all the same.Recommend
its time to say US to Stop these attacks else we will destroy your dronesRecommend
At judgement day, the cause of these innocent people will be called by Almighty Allah and i beleive only americans will never be get resposible, our leaders will also has to answer. Please wake up. Don’t think only about $$$$$.
Habib Jalib said
Khuda tumhara nahi hai khuda hamara hai
Use zamin pe yeh zulm kab gawara hai
Lahoo piyoge kahan tak hamara dhanwano
Badhao apni dukan seem-o zar ke deewano
Nishan kahin na rahega tumhara shaitano
Hamein yaqeen hai ke insaan usko pyara hai
Khuda tumhara nahin hai khuda hamara hai
Use zameen pe yeh zulm kab gaawara hai
Nai shaoor ki hai roshni nigahon mein
Ek aag si bhi hai ab apni sard aahon mein
Khilenge phool nazar ke sahar ki bahon mein
Dukhe dilon ko isi aas ka sahara hai
Khuda tumhara nahin hai khuda hamara hai
Use zameen pe yeh zulm kab gawara hai
Tilism-e sayah-e khauf-o hiras todenge
Qadam bandhayenge zanjeere-e yaas todenge
Kabhi kisi ke na ham dil ki aas todenge
Rahega yaad jo ehd-e sitam guzara hai
Use zamin pe yeh zulm kab gawara haiRecommend
Kiyani, smoke a cigar from the money you got from America for the release of Raymond. We the Pakistani’s know that you and the Army is very much the same as our politicans i.e. a purchasable commodity.Recommend
Shame, Shame, Shame Mr. Kayani. You let Raymond off the hook. You are responsible for disgracing Pakistan and its people. People in uniform in Pakistan think that they are the only ones who are patriots. They think they are owners of the country and its people. I wish and pray that the youth of Pakistan stands up and fight against the Army and ISI. Army and ISI may have given a lot of sacrifices for Pakistan but they were not needed. Sacrifices in KARGIL were not needed, sacrifices in Afghanistan were not needed, sacrifices in Kashmir were not needed. Actually like America, the ARMY and ISI have make these threats from INDIA and other countries to justify their existence and eat up 50% taxpayers money in the name of NATIONAL SECURITY. We dont need you MR KAYANI, you are a shameless character. Your ARMY and manipulated ISI has destroyed our country’s economy. After we have nuclear bombs, we dont need ARMY, we dont need ISI, we dont need any of the forces who are only interested in encroaching the land of Pakistan and making DHA out of it. Pakistanis, please get rid of the ARMY serving officers and the retired officers who are the real menace in this country.Recommend
He cant even control his own jihadi strategic assets. When GHQ was attacked by fanatics, the army asked the spiritial mullah heads of those fanatics to negotiate the rescue of hostage officers, and these mullahs were flown in by helicopeters! Thats how helpless he is, and we are expecting him to shoot down US drones through F-16s that he purchased from US!Recommend
Condemn mean they want some more $$$$$$$$ Pak Blood on sales.Recommend
Drone attack was condemned first by the KP Governor , then by the Army Chief , strong words used, finally the PM also added his statement. But is it enough???? We should retaliate and let the Americans know that enough is enough.Shoot the bloody drone.If Taliban can do it why can’t our well equipped Air force .Recommend
Sorry sir, you have lost my respect after Davis incident. Only hope now rests in Afghanistan.Recommend
All of us are barking dogsRecommend
Now here are the facts…
1] Pak army is the most weakest army on its wetern front as they are guarding only eastern front (Indian border)for last 63 years.
2] Pak army choose wrong men as their startegic assest.
3] pak army still confused about its strategic assest this gives opportunity to USA to enter Pak Airspace on westrn front. Which is cleary violation of country’s sovereignty and governement should punish its own army for allowing this but that time army was in government. :(
4]Since pak army is the most unprofessional army, the current corrupt government has become much more weak. Guys chatting here won’t help as the pak army gaveRecommend
Is General Kiyani condemning United States for Drone attacks or Pak Army for being an active partner in American Military Operation other than War in Pakistan? Since when an Army Chief has been assigned the task of playing the role of a “DIPLOMAT” and a deceiving “POLITICIA?”Recommend
Could there be any better example of someone shedding crocodile tears? Gen.Kayani’s condemnation and subsequent expression of sympathy to the drone attack victims is utterly hypocrite and he is simply making an absolute clown of himself in the eyes of the world. Does anyone in Pakistan truly believe that Americans can violate Pakistan’s sovereignty without the tacit approval of GHQ Rawalpindi? Americans, with all their military might were humbled by a rag tag guerilla outfit in Vietnam and they are facing the same music in Afghanistan. Pakistan has a large military and shooting down an America drone should be a child’s play for them. But Gen.Kayani and his men are not only allowing Americans to use their drones against Pakistani civilians but also giving intelligence inputs about militant targets when it suits them (Baitullah Mehsud is a case in point). This pretension by Gen.Kayani about American high handedness, just does not wash. As an Indian what I find shocking is that nobody in Pakistan has the guts to take on the army head on and ask for explanations for the various dubious acts of the Generals. Public and journalists are simply whining on the internet and writing columns in newspapers and that is not going to trouble Kayani and his corps commanders. The people of Pakistan have to “SNATCH and FREE” their country from the jaws of the military and rebuild a strong and prosperous Pakistan. Pakistan after all was a part of India for thousands of years and it’s disgusting to see this ancient land hijacked by delusional Generals and rabid Mullahs.Recommend
As long as Pakistan continues to breed and nurture Islamic terrorists who commit terror acts in foreign countries, the international community is justified in taking the war to the terrorists. Why can’t Pakistan stop its policy of using terrorists for foreign policy goals? The Pakistani establishment has found that in addition to being assets for geopolitical goals, these Islamic terrorists also are a good instrument for milking the Western countries for billions of dollars.Recommend
@Ali:
Really a beautiful comment. It is from all Pakistanis.Recommend
@F Robinson:
Do you think that killing innocents solve your problems? by the way how do you recognize a innocent tribal man and a terrorist? Every tribal man carry a gun, it’s in their culture.
At one side killing innocents with drones and other side CIA Agents, like Raymond Davis creates anarchy by helping Taliban. What kind of this double standard policy.Recommend
Timeeeeeeeeeeeee to riseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ppl:)Recommend
President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the drone attack in Datta Khel area of North Waziristan Agency on Thursday, which caused loss of innocent lives. The President in a message expressed his grief and sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in drone attack and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families.Recommend
What else you can do general ? Now get on the negotiation table with America for the blood money. This is a potential income for Pakistan.Recommend
The General condemns it but our President is comfortable with it. The PM, the parliament and the people do not matter. Who are they fooling ???Recommend
Innocent Kiyani….
An Army Cheif of a Nuclear Power Country duty is just to condemn if some other country attack on??
Who is the reponsible of the death of 44 innocent lives?
Our Army has always been an hope for the best of our country but what is it?
Criminal Rymond released and very next day they killed our 44 INNOCENT citizens.
What is it?Recommend
System has to change …Recommend
All is simple as that “You scratch my back and I will scratch your back”. It is only a case of mistaken identity similar to the one what we all saw in the case of Raymond Allen Davis. Yes, my heart does go for all who were killed and now the death toll is more than 44. Army Chief and all related both in the government and opposition are to be blamed for these types of adventures by foreign powers. My heartfelt condolence to the grieved families and may their souls rest in peace, Amen. It is really very unfortunate.Recommend
Mr Kiyani should be human right activist rather then an army general, this suits him better.Recommend
We keep shouting, our leaders keep printing money, drones keep striking with impunity. The game goes on and onRecommend
You guys on only condemn General Sahab!! Get the money in your pockets and bangles in your wrist.. Good bye, Pakistan ka Khuda HafizRecommend
You guys can only condemn General Sahab!! Get the money in your pockets and bangles in your wrist.. Good bye, Pakistan ka Khuda HafizRecommend
i am sure american will be laughing on this protest and will thinking to send some dollars for our coward leadersRecommend
Gen Sb, its time to take action! enough is enough. 80% of the country’s budget goes to your institute! you got to stop these attacks once and for all!Recommend
Gilani and kyani….Poor souls! i feel pitty on them…they are so helpless and powerless that despite condemning drone attacks…poor chaps cant do anything to stop it!
Instead of getting angry i think we should sympathise with them for being so worthless in the eyes of international community!!!
Especially, Mr.. Zardari – King at home and a slave outside…i wonder how demeaning their job is as they have to solute their Americans masters every now and then and sometimes they even do get kicked out.
An ordinary Pakistani is living with more self respect than our leaders…feelin bad for them.Recommend
Good job Kiyani. keep it up !!!Recommend
Good job Kiyani. keep it upRecommend
Pakistan is a poor nation with the ‘bomb’ that it can neither sell nor eat and it takes lot of money , borrowed or begged, for its upkeep. This so called ‘stretegic asset’ is a rock around its neck. But its a rock that GHQ loves.Recommend
@stefan….stay in ur limits, you americans have crossed a line. Who gives u the right to kill people, or as u said, “potential” terrorists? According to ur view, u label anyone a potential terrorist. Its time Pak teaches america a lesson. Cut of all supply routes to Afghanistan and start bombing american bases. I guarantee ur forces will be finished in 2 wks.Recommend
Who let the dogs out?Recommend
There is nothing i can do except feeling shame and helpless.Recommend
Why are you begging from USA?
Shoot down the damn Predator Drone. I promise they will never send it again!Recommend
What a joke..where is our air force??? sleeping with the enemy??Recommend
This “Noora Kushti” shall not erase the Raymond Davis shame, nor restore the National Pride lost. So cut the crap!!Recommend
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Our leaders are basically beggars and beggars don’t have any honor,dignity,grace,ego,courage,sovereignty and self-respect and the our beggars leaders can only condemn,protest,appeal and request only verbally and can’t do any thing practically.And very strangely the beggars are saying their master and main financer to apologize for drone attacks.What the funny statement given by our beggars leaders.Recommend
3 things to be observed here.
1) Army in Pakistan plays such a dominant role that the views of the Army are compared with the “head of state”‘s.
2) Kayani can stop the Drone attacks by denying airbases to Americans(example Shamsi Airbase) to launch their Drones and can even shoot down drones. But, he comes and acts as if he cant do a thing. All lies.
3) Pakistani people actually believe what their Army Chief is saying, in-spite of all the goofs up of the past(1971, Terrorism related, economy related,etc). Now, naive can one be!Recommend