Pakistan

Libya air strikes: Islamabad expresses reservations

Bashir says Pakistan could be affected by political turmoil in the Middle East and the situation in Libya.

Peer Muhammad March 27, 2011

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has serious reservations over the interpretation given to the UN resolution about Libya which appears to have granted permission to allied forces to carry out attacks on a sovereign country, said Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Saturday.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Bashir said that Pakistan could be affected by the political turmoil in the Middle East and the situation in Libya.

“No country should be divided, fractured or brought under attack merely in the name of restoration of democracy or protection of human rights,” he said. “We also reject the formula of regime change with the intervention of foreign forces. Libya has its internal problems so it is up to its people to decide their fate.”

He added that Pakistan’s priority was stability and peace in the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan.

Bashir said that Pakistan has concerns over the use of force against Libya. Pakistan joins Russia, India and China among the list of countries that have been opposed to the aerial bombardment of Libya.

The government is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and a task force has been established to evacuate Pakistanis from these countries, said Bashir.

More than 5,000 Pakistanis have been evacuated from Libya through seven special flights so far. Over 300,000 Pakistani citizens live in the countries currently beset with unrest, including 86,000 in Bahrain, of which 10,000 are serving in police and defence services. At least five Pakistanis have reportedly been killed in violent incidents in Bahrain.

Davis and drone attacks

Later, the committee was given a briefing on the drone attacks in a closed session.

Senator Salim Saifullah, chairman of the committee, said that they had strongly protested against the release of Davis as well as the killing of more than 44 tribal elders in a US drone attack in Datakhel a day after Davis’ release.

The committee also decided to take up the issue of visa issuance to Americans in large numbers by the interior ministry.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (10)

Harish Advani | 13 years ago | Reply If the US and the Western Allies turned against Pakistan,and decided 'enough was enough',relating to the Pakistani support for the various terrorist groups(Haqqani,LeT,JeT etc) and the problems created by ISI offering succor and support to the Taliban ,this could well happen to Pakistan.Any delusions of the Chinese,Islamic countries ,stepping in to help will prove inaccurate.Possession of nuclear weapons and threats to let loose Islamic terrorists in Western countries will prove futile.Gaddafi is a living example of a thug who over reached himself and may well meet the same fate as Saddam Hussein and his sons.

Nazir Habib | 13 years ago | Reply @omair khan: Agreed! Absolutely! We must change the name of Gaddafi Stadium to its former heading, signboard or shop-front. And the sooner the better. Pakistan should have acted fast and without a second thought on this name issue. Salams for 2011

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hussain syed | 13 years ago | Reply Knowing Zardari the Ghadaffi stadium will be renamed Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Stadium.

Shakir Ayub | 13 years ago | Reply I was concerned about silence from Pakistan. But now I feel proud that Pakistan has taken right stance on brutal violence being carried out by some of the western powers on Libya. I would also appreciate Russia, China, India, Turkey and Germany in this regard. I expect that Pakistan armed forces and agencies will do a favour with the nation; "PLEASE stop cooperation with US to carry out drown attacks".

omair khan | 13 years ago | Reply Can we please change the name of khaddafi stadium now.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply Muslims have a tendency to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" when it comes to atrocious acts committed by fellow Muslims. That's why they said nothing during the Darfur genocide, think the USA attacked itself during 911, and remain mute while Gaddafi massacres his own people.

Nazir Habib | 13 years ago | Reply The Foreign Office has finally woken but impotently. It is rather late in the day to make a comment and the only kudo on their side is the continuing evacuation of Pakistanis from these strife torn countries. Why were they silent when our embassy in USA was obliging the multitudes of Davis'? The attack on Libya is a typical tyrannical act of perverse logic of the West. They are only protecting the future supply of oil against the propaganda of human rights and liberty. The Muslim world had better wake up from its long, very long sojourn and the "OH I SEE" after wiping it's tears, must initiate concept of "Ijma." Salams for 2011.

laila from Bahrain | 13 years ago | Reply What about use of force in Bahrain Mr Bashir? Can you also tell us what Saudi Intelligence chief brought new instructions for you guys to follow? Your retire army personnel supplied by Bahria and Fauji Foundations are percieved as 'black water' in Bahrain. Stop complaining the USA for the same...

Billoo Bhaya | 13 years ago | Reply When Musharraf was killing and incarcerating people during the lawyers movement we were asking the Western World to stop supporting him. Eventually they did. In Libya and Syria, dictatorship are now being asked by the public to step down. Instead they are killing their own people by military means. Is this any different to what Musharraf was doing?? He had not gone to that extent. Either Pakistan should join the mainstream or keep its mouth shut. Pakistan's foreign policy is in tatters. Say no more.

John | 13 years ago | Reply For once it is nice to hear that PAK joins with Russia, INDIA, and China in condemning ........ A turn of events ? Historically India was right with regard to this region, including in affairs of Afghanistan.

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