Drone strikes: Pakistan may boycott Chicago summit
A statement issued by the Foreign Office denounced the latest strike as “a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty”.
“Such attacks are in total contravention of international law and established norms of interstate relations,” it added. The matter would be taken up through diplomatic channels both in Islamabad and Washington.
A senior government official told The Express Tribune that Pakistan was contemplating a number of options to convey a strong message on drone strikes to the US. One such option includes pulling out of the Chicago summit scheduled for May. It was, however, not clear whether Islamabad was formally invited to the gathering of nearly 50 heads of states and governments.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman did request the Pakistani leadership during his recent trip to attend the summit, said the official. “The latest drone attack clearly is an attempt to discredit democracy in Pakistan,” added the official, who was part of recent negotiations between Islamabad and Washington.
Abandoned school targeted
The latest strike took place in Miranshah, the main town in North Waziristan, on Sunday.The drone fired two missiles targeting an abandoned girls' high school building used by militants, officials said. The school which is located in Qari Masjid village was abandoned by schoolchildren due militancy in the area.
“The building had been taken over by militants,” a local resident said. An official from the area confirmed that three people have been killed and two wounded. “However, there are reports that there might be six suspected militants killed,” he added. Another security official said the compound was used mainly by Uzbek and Tajik militants.
(With additional reporting by Zulfiqar Ali in D I Khan and agencies)
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2012.
COMMENTS (48)
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@ Harry Stone
@Assad: Too bad they did not do that with Raymond Davis
They(USA) didn't do that, because they didn't care. We are not naive and we are into this game since eternity. US never felt the obligation to meet all international niceties at least with us. And more-over our dependence on US is too heavy to shrug away. This is the reality. Whoever is talking about reducing our dependence on USA, is trying to sell a dream to gullible Pakistanis. They do not know, what they are talking about. The US can render us bankrupt if they so desire, in no time. :(
@ather:
Why do you so hate the PAK army?
@Assad:
Too bad they did not do that with Raymond Davis
Drones are as much as illegal as are terrorist in out territory. While the nations stands behind drone, we should also ask our government to clean up the safe heavens that are responsible for thousands of death in Pakistan - we need to remember attacks on a common Pakistani from terrorists are not because we dont protest about drone attack, they attack us as they want to take over and rule us, and take away what ever freedom we have!
For sake of our future first stand against these terrorist first, they are not interested in Pakistan nor Islam, they have their own version of Islam and Pakistan, something our kids will never be able to live happily with.
Pakistan Zindabad
@chacha: Your message should go out to all the TV channels, as its a most logical and to point in relation to the Issues Pakistan faces and is still playing games !!!! Time is short for Pakistan , to accept and acknowledge the facts, as to its current status, as even that may be questionable in near future !
@Sultan Ahmed: "This is a fact,can not be denied that drone attacks creates counter insurgency but as have seen United States is not ready to accept this Pakistani standpoint,he verbally promised and violated thereafter and in this way, a new debate is begun in Pakistan. On the Salala outpost incident ,Pakistan demanded to The United States to say sorry is a justified demand,if we admit that it was not deliberately but should see 24 soldiers had lost their lives. Apology would be not a limited act,American administration would have to arrest the persons responsible and bring them to justice and also pay compensation to the legal hairs of martyred soldiers".
Disagree with many issues you statted: 1. You seem to imply that US verbally agreed to not use drones. On the contrary they have openly said that drones will continue. 2. You may think based on what your army has told you that apology is justified. Their inquiry tells them that the attack was NOT unprovoked. This is why they are not apologizing. 3.Based on their inquiry they have already decided no action is going to be taken against NATO soldiers because according to them the attack was in retaliation and was not unprovoked. They have already announced this - it is not something which they are hiding.
The US has long made the case -- unevenly and sporadically -- that Islamabad cannot protest about violation of its sovereignty when it cannot, or does not or will not, act against terrorist groups that freely operate in Pakistan, in some cases with knowledge and support of its establishment.
@Ajaz Haque: Do you really think that Pakistan Airforce is capable of taking on US?? Which world are you living in?? They will Annihilate your Armed forces ! Don't believe everything you have taught about the greatness of your Army, as their track record is pretty poor !
After the Parliamentary resolution, Pakistan Government can no longer play the double game on drones. It has to take a firm stand against attacks without Pakistan Government's approval. It should advise the US Government that it has instructed Pakistan Air Force to shoot down any drones that fly into Pakistani territory.
With a clear message like this, US Government will not take any chances. Losing a drone to Iran was bad enough, having a couple more shot down by Pakistan will do enormous damage to their reputation and I am sure, they will not want to go down that path.
To boycott , you have to be invited first.
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: Pakistan should also immediately take up the drones attack issue with UNO and other concerned world organizations.
UNO is a card-game. The organization you refer to is the UN. Which forum of UN will Pakistan take up the matter in? The UN and its security council has no jurisdiction over bilateral issues until both countries agree to involve them - remember how India involved the UN in the dispute over Kashmir in 1948 which resulted in the plebiscite call, but has since refused to allow UN involvement? We can go to the ICJ, but lets face it, Pakistan has no stomach for it - because the US could easily retaliate by having Afghanistan take us to the ICJ for our support of terrorist groups. From the Salala incident and this one, it is clear that NATO doesn't even care for our supply route. We've played our trump card. And lost. But hey at least our record of losses -- 1965, 1971, Kargil, now this -- is unbroken.
@ather: Sure, please ask your VICTORIOUS army to attack US forces in Afghanistan and wait for VICTORY.
pakistan army has the capability to completely destroy the presence of americans in afghanistan . even with all the fighting mullah omor terms us brother. if we stop supporting the americans there will be no moral ground for ttp to fight against pakistan. we have to do nothing. if only our army does that we will be victorious. but the generals and politicians are corrupt to the core.
yes there must not be any drones . The pak Army should first eliminate all jihadis, terrorists , militants and most of the all the Difa council, including all lashkars, jamaat , jamiat sipah and all the rest of the religious extremists
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: "Pakistan must immediately demand an unconditional apology from the US government over the latest drone attack. "
Right. Even at the cost of not getting supply routes started, US has refused to provide unconditional apology for Salala. What ae the chances that you will get an apology for a drone that by the admission of your OWN security people killed Uzbek and Tajik militants? And what is your leverage - you have already shut the base, you never went after Afghan Taliban/Haqqanis, you have already shut land based supply routes. What will you do if US does not apologize?
@Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad: Should UN also take up the case of OBL in Pakistan?
"Pakistan was contemplating a number of options to convey a strong message on drone strikes to the US. " Where is the need of a new strong message when similar "strong messages" have been already conveyed umpteen number of times. Your messages do not seem to carry any weight. We do not see any outrage coming from any quarter around the world at this "total contravention of international law and established norms of interstate relations". So sit back and enjoy the view as long as it lasts! You are just powerless to do anything any way! "One such option includes pulling out of the Chicago summit scheduled for May. " You don't have to worry about that until you are actually "pulled in". May is already around the corner. The invitation may never come!
Pakistan is not being invited to Chicago summit , so to save face, it has decided to boycott once it knows for sure that it wont get invited. Same old tactics.
Why doesnt Pakistan file a case in ICJ or take it up with the UN security council etc.What have they got to lose ?
Pakistan must immediately demand an unconditional apology from the US government over the latest drone attack. Pakistan should also immediately take up the drones attack issue with UNO and other concerned world organizations.
US will not give drones to Pakistan.
Pakistan deserve Drones Attack
what a joke
This is a fact,can not be denied that drone attacks creates counter insurgency but as have seen United States is not ready to accept this Pakistani standpoint,he verbally promised and violated thereafter and in this way, a new debate is begun in Pakistan.
On the Salala uotpost incident ,Pakistan demanded to The United States to say sorry is a justified demand,if we admit that it was not deliberately but should see 24 soldiers had lost their lives. Apology would be not a limited act,American administration would have to arrest the persons responsible and bring them to justice and also pay compensation to the legal hairs of martyred soldiers.
The selection of target in this case is showing that US is ready to revise her policy about drone in Pakistan as this attack was not carried out in residential area but an abandoned school, their was no Collateral damage, all were perfect militants and they were also not Pakistanis but Uzbek citizens.
Open the gates U.S. can go any where and nobody can stop. so be quite and open the gates of your doors for US.....
“a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty”.
Your Sovereignty was violated, when you allowed NW as base camp for your stratigic assets to roam free and cause mayham within the country and across the border ! What has Pakistan's Army done? Apart from collecting cash and twiddling their thumbs ! Not a Lot, The World has woken up and they will deal with these elements, as its obvious that Pakistan is not only reluctant but also incapable of dealing with the mess they have created ! By the way who has invited Pakistan to summot in Chicago, as yet???
Is the government taking its cue from Boycott Khan aka Imran Khan? Boycott does not serve any purpose.
The Afghan "end-game" will dominate Nato's summit meeting in Chicago in May. Yet it is doubtful whether there is an end to this game, as dissent is wide spread over the rules of the game. Pakistan plays a key role in Afghanistan's stability and it knows that it could spoil the game by not being part of it.
I am shocked to read all the comments of you guys!!! how a true pakistani can say that drone attacks that are continuously breaching territory of Pakistan killing our innocent brothers and sisters as well are good for Pakistan!!! We wont allow any foreign force to intrude our territiry and kill our people!! they are killing one terrorist and 3 innocent lives!! they are killing our people!!! this is all a preplanned game to put our people against us!!! guys open your eyes!!
@Ahmad:
yea US election gimmicks....ur talking as if this is the first ever drone strike on pakistan
Pakistani parliament comprises of members brought through NRO election. Why would US align itself with the puppetts and agree on the new terms of engagement. The best this government can do for Pakistanis is just leave and call for fresh elections.
It is very difficult,impossible to large extend they say so sorry on the that unfortunate incident.
"Putting Two and Two together" ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Statement 1: “The latest drone attack clearly is an attempt to discredit democracy in Pakistan,” Statement 2: “The building had been taken over by militants,”
So eliminating militants that take over girls school and to which the Paki forces have done nothing......how can the drone attack discredit democracy?
Pls enlighten.
“Such attacks are in total contravention of international law and established norms of interstate relations,” it added.
Nice to see that Pakistan Govt. has started talking about 'International laws' and 'established norms' of inter-state relations. Atleast till now, the non-state actors were in charge, who are beyond all this. Why are we protesting when other countries are doing our dirty-work? Is it very difficult to see that this was coming anyway? Now, it is the US/NATO drones.................later it may be Chinese/ Russian/ Indian drones too.
its not about killing "alleged" millitants ... its about how you kill them.
Our army is still sleeping. Do nothing on drone strikes.They are afraid with U.S. Whatever they are the atomic power.
replace "may" with "must" in the title !!!
This is strange, since Pakistan is not even invited yet for Chicago NATO summit. So what are they boycotting.
Well we are now well aware of our own government's topi drama.
Shooting yourself in the foot is an integral part of Pakistani culture.
hmm so pakistan is angry about terrorists getting killed.very interesting.
Nobody can stop them ….. Don’t put the blame on other's shoulders at least they are killing militant and helping you guys and doing their job professionally Think by yourself who will stop them.
Drone Attack is good If Pakistan does the same with US than Drone strike is good and they will realize that they are breaking the International Law. And Pakistan must stop them to do these kind of attack, sure about it that we have such kind of technology to stop this attack… Our Politician should decide about it ???????
No one controls North Waziristan. Your esteem army has not exerted its power to take complete control of the agency due to justifiable reasons. Can anyone inform my poor soul who has given visas to Uzbeks, and Tajiks living there? So NW is no man’s land.
If drones aren't allowed,then when is Pak going to clean the areas within its border? Terrorists move freely within the mighty republic of pak and yet nothing is done to eliminaye them.
Does the pak army have any interest in the welfare of pak?
US Election gimmicks, but eventually this will lead to bolstering hardliners stance in Pakistan nonetheless....US digging thier own graves
The girls schools are being used by militants, I am not surprised. I can understand Pakistani outrage but it should be on the occupation of girl's schools by terrorists. Thanks for cleaning our little girl's schools of extremists and terrorists who attack their schools and abuse them for their own nefarious designs.