‘Unlawful actions’: Govt takes up cudgels against US snooping

Washington’s National Security Agency was spying on the country’s ruling party in 2010.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan voiced its deep anguish over media reports that indicated it is among those countries where the US National Security Agency was carrying out surveillance operations.

The development came after reports suggested the NSA was spying on the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in 2010.

The PPP, which was voted out of power in 2013, urged the government to raise the issue at the diplomatic level and get assurances from Washington that such grave violations of international law will not be repeated.

“The revelation of spying on the PPP is a grave, unwarranted and totally unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign country,” said party spokesperson Farhatullah Babar.

He added that PPP does not owe any explanation to a foreign government and spy agencies based abroad did not have the right to monitor its activities.

According to the PPP spokesperson, such operations and unacceptable interference in the affairs of a political party serve no purpose and only increase resentment and distrust.

The foreign ministry raised the issue with authorities after PPP expressed displeasure over the matter.

“Such an action against Pakistani government departments or other organisations is against international law and diplomatic conduct,” foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said. She added that the reference to a political party in Pakistan was surprising.

According to Tasnim Aslam, the US was informed that surveillance was contrary to the spirit of friendly relations between two countries. In the interest maintaining cooperative ties, Islamabad has urged Washington to stop such activities, she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2014.