Says government’s stance on drone strikes unchanged. PHOTO: NNI
ISLAMABAD:
Refuting a US congressman’s statement that Pakistan could easily stop drone strikes if it had the will, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said the lawmaker should have first apprised himself of the ground realities.
The information minister found the statement of US member of the House of Representatives, Alan Grayson, irresponsible and said it could create misunderstandings not only between the two allies as well as among the masses of Pakistan regarding the policy of its civil-military leadership on drones.
Talking to BBC, Grayson had said drone strikes were not possible without the approval of Pakistan government and that he did not see any reduction in the attacks by the end of the year.
“Pakistan has a strong air force which has the power to impose a restriction on its borders whenever it chooses to,” the congressman had said.
He had also claimed that Pakistan army – with strength of one million – could easily control the extremists, who, he claimed, were in hundreds.
“I completely reject the assumption made by Mr Grayson as he is obviously not aware what Pakistan’s military is facing and I would advise him to first have an interaction with their own security officials who can actually brief him over Pakistan’s bold actions taken to eliminate terror,” Rasheed said.
He added: “The government has not changed its stance on the issue of drone attacks, and stands by it.”
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his recent visit to Washington had raised this issue with US President Barack Obama.
“Come what may, but the government stance shall remain unbending,” he stressed.
Talking to the media on Wednesday, the information minister said the whole nation stood united on the drone issue and the international community was also supporting Pakistan’s viewpoint. He said he was confident that the government would be successful in halting drone strikes soon.
“Today’s Pakistan is not being run by a dictator but a political government that has to consult other political parties in decision making,” he said.
Responding to a question, the minister said that the premier had also taken up the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui with Obama administration. “This issue has never been raised by any of the previous governments,” he claimed.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2013.
COMMENTS (11)
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Do we or do we not have a military that can shoot down drones? If the answer is "we do," then drone strikes happen only because our govt and military lets them and Mr: Grayson is right.
@ Wake Up Please do not drag army in this game of political point scoring particularly when they have accepted the civilian supremacy.
"He had also claimed that Pakistan army – with strength of one million – could easily control the extremists, who, he claimed, were in hundreds."
compare with:
“I completely reject the assumption made by Mr Grayson as he is obviously not aware what Pakistan’s military is facing and I would advise him to first have an interaction with their own security officials who can actually brief him over Pakistan’s bold actions taken to eliminate terror,” Rasheed said.
Does not compute!
@Wake Up: Because every senior general is vying for the top spot. They don't want to anger the boss. The current head is the lame duck.
This guy lacks credibility... Wasn't he supposed to resign from his senate seat after PTI's Lahore rally.
All Senator Grayson is saying is to stop speaking from both sides of the mouth. Are you not capable of formulating a statement that tells the truth and gets the job done as well. ?
Why is Pak Army so quite??? There is a big gap between the nation, the army and the so called elected members of parliament.
Pak has to issue yet another denial amongst thousands issued so far on the plain truth spoken by the US Congressman. In my several comments on ET, I have emphasised that the Pak military is professionally competent to defeat all terrorist groups inside the country but lacks the intent and not will to do so.The military is not only indulging in double dealing with US, India and Afghanistan but also with the civilian government and people of Pakistan, being allowed to be massacred at the hands of the barbarians. The military adamance to continue its policy of exporting terrorism across the borders is responsible for not reaching any peace agreement with its neighbours including solving of Kashmir issue.
We dont trust our PM but trust a congressman who represents 1 out of 532 members of Parliament in US and who doesnt even belong to the Administration. We r Pathetic as a Nation and deserve this treatment which we r getting
What are these folks trying to achieve? Are they trying to prove the citizens fool or themselves geniuses? All over the world, such drones are operated with the approval of host Governments, It has become a well known fact now. I would suggest, before blaming that congressman of being irresponsible, Mr. Rashid should visit their country and interact on their accountability and political system.
One word for PML-N on drone issue 'Sharamnak'