At UN, Pakistan demands immediate halt to US drone strikes

Maleeha Lodhi says continued use of drones is blatant disregard of international commitments on aircraft's use

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday demanded an immediate cessation of drone strikes that violate its territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as of other states.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Dr Maleeha Lodhi condemned the continued use of drones and termed the strikes a blatant disregard of existing international commitments on the use of the aircraft.

The statement comes a day after the United States revealed the civilian death toll from drone strikes for the first time. On Friday, President Barack Obama’s government said it inadvertently killed up to 116 civilians in strikes in countries where America is not at war, a major disclosure likely to inflame debate about targeted killings and use of drones.



The envoy was speaking right after the 193 members of the UNGA adopted resolution on the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.

During the negotiations of the resolution that spanned over a month, Pakistan made strenuous efforts to further strengthen international commitments regarding illegal drone strikes and their impact on the masses.

Pointing to the achievements in this regard, Ambassador Lodhi highlighted that counter-terrorism measures violating territorial integrity and sovereignty of any state can be counterproductive and also fuel violent extremism.

Lodhi, however, acknowledged the conclusion and recommendations of the report of the Human Rights Council on the use of drones, as the first step in the right direction.

The report raised legal questions on the use of drones, pointed out their grave impact on fundamental human rights and expressed serious concerns on how it was undermining counter-terrorism efforts.



The Pakistani envoy welcomed the consensus on the resolution, which she said served as a strong and united signal against the scourge of terrorism.

Lodhi also appreciated a renewed focus on the preventive approach to terrorism, which included addressing the root causes of terrorism as well as the internal and external drivers of violent extremism.

Earlier on June 15, speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Ambassador Tehmina Janjua called upon the body to respond to human rights violations as a result of drone strikes on Pakistani territory.

The UN Declaration and Plan of Action stresses the need to resolving protracted conflicts, ensuring full realisation of the people’s right to self-determination and addressing xenophobia and all forms of discrimination on the basis of religion, culture and ethnicity.



As an active member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), Pakistan was also able to mobilise support to revive the international community’s focus on ending foreign occupation, resolving conflicts and confronting oppression, as well as enhancing intercultural understanding and ensuring respect for all religions and religious values.

The Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, adopted in 2006, is considered as the single most comprehensive and consensus-based counter-terrorism strategy in the United Nations.

It is reviewed every two years by UN Member States, through a resolution that seeks to develop understandings and measures, in particular regarding new challenges and developments.

The body represents a broad consensus on the mutually shared goals and principles in the global fight against the scourge of terrorism.