Pakistan

Pakistan not capable of stopping drone strikes: Malik

Interior Minister says Pakistan does not have the technological capability to stop drone strikes in its territories.

Express March 28, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said that Pakistan did not have the capability of stopping drone strikes inside its territory.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Malik said that the government did not have the technology to stop the drone strikes and that he hoped scientists from Pakistan would develop the technology to counter the drones.

The interior minister also said that he might accompany Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to watch the semi-final between Pakistan and India in Mohali.

The CIA has carried out a long-running drone campaign in North Waziristan, with 17 of 20 strikes targeting militants in the area so far this year, according to a tally by the New America Foundation.

A US strike by unmanned aircraft killed 39 people on March 17 in North Waziristan, prompting outrage and protests across the country.

Datta Khel is one of the most targeted areas in the CIA’s air campaign in Pakistan. At least 120 out of 127 drone attacks carried out during the past year were carried out in North Waziristan Agency, with most of them in Datta Khel tehsil. Forty-five of the 234 strikes, or 19 per cent, have taken place in

Datta Khel since the US began carrying out strikes in Pakistan in 2004, according to data compiled by The Long War Journal. And so far this year, eight of the 19 strikes in Pakistan have taken place in Datta Khel.

COMMENTS (30)

SYED ADEEB | 13 years ago | Reply The NATO of war criminals and its ISAF attacked Pakistan many times during 2000 to 2011. The NATO-ISAF murdered thousands of Pakistanis through military operations and US drone missile strikes, but the entire Pakistani press-media and all Pakistanis have failed to oppose, condemn, criticize and expose the NATO-ISAF terrorism against all Pakistanis. Why? What kind of Pakistani media-press and Pakistani Nation is this? Why the nuclear weapons of Pakistan have failed to protect the Pakistani citizens? http://www.presstv.com/detail/172426.html

riseoboveoppresion | 13 years ago | Reply You know what I think?? I think that Al-quada Leader Osama is in Kerachi Pakistan (Human Shield) within proximity of the closest Nuclear Arsenal with a bucket and shovel,and is digging his way to or under the facility popping out post a Coup on Islamabad by 2012 holding the world hostage and deploying at the West!!! Crazy...but that kind of stuff happens in movies or ...

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Ahmer Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.What the most shameful statement given by Rehman Malik.And definitely he is saying true because for that corrupt and beggars leaders who have sold their honor,grace,dignity,ego,courage,sovereignty and self-respect against the $$$$$ shall give only such these types of cowardice statement whereas Pakistan has the most powerful weapon of stopping and controlling these drone attacks by closing NATO and US troops' supply from Peshawar on priority basis by showing bravery and courageous and trusting only Allah Almighty without giving any warning and without requesting and appealing before Pakistani corrupt and beggars leaders' worldly master USA.

Solomon2 | 13 years ago | Reply Drones are hardly unstoppable. The drones attack the Taliban in Pakistan with impunity. What stops the U.S. from sending manned warplanes as well, as it has over Libya to attack Gaddafi and Somalia to attack Al Qaeda? Isn't it more likely Pakistan is saying "yes" to drones but "no" to planes, so it can boast that no American enters Pakistan without permission yet deny moral responsibility for any Pakistani killed in drone attacks?

True pakistani | 13 years ago | Reply My suggestion to fellow Pakistani, now we need to protect ourself, our Government cannot do anything.

KR | 13 years ago | Reply Rehman Malik has definitely earned the right to be called supper idiot and I believe he should get some kind of medal for that along with Mr. 10%. These people are absolute embarrassment for the entire nation.

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Is Pakistan capable of stopping suicide bombers and terror attacks?

Aamir | 13 years ago | Reply If it's true, then Mr. Malik should ask his mentors (Zardari & Gilani) to wear bangles and get out from the Presidency / Prime Minster House......

Asif Butt | 13 years ago | Reply Hey guys , you all dont get it now do you ? This seems like a good tactic. Its a very indirect and passive way to give the US the message that we have made our intentions , now we will proceed stepwise. I think its a very wise way to proceed. "AS LONG AS IT TURNS OUT THE WAY I EXPECT...."

Dani | 13 years ago | Reply @Ron(Indian) Drones operate at much slower speeds then F16s and other fighter jets, to match the same speed which is required to kill a slower moving object is a daunting task which puts the aircraft at a risk to stall. SAM batteries are, what is needed to take out drones (ideally) which for whatever reasons are based on the eastern border.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply It's easy to stop drone attacks - just take control of the territory where the drone attacks are taking place. That means you need to put a significant armed force where the terrorist are - which is exactly what the American's have been asking since day one.

Ali Haider | 13 years ago | Reply Impotent.

shah | 13 years ago | Reply It interesting to read comments like Pakistani having proud of F16 jets. It was manufactured in 1976. Now its 2011.You are living in stone age.

LOL | 13 years ago | Reply What Malik means is Pakistan can't clean up it's own mess and needs America's drones to do the job. If Pakistan could "take out its own trash", no drones would be required. Can Pakistan's non-existent space agency send all the terrorists and politicians on a "Mission to Mars" and save Pakistan?

Bilal | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan air force already shot down an Israeli made Indian drone on the night of 7 june 2002. Rehman malik should read some old newspapers to refresh his memory.

Fake Mailk! | 13 years ago | Reply This man isnt Interior Minister of Pakistan but Interior Minister of America.He should resign immediately and no right to do his job.Fake Mailk tell us why air cheif were saying that we are compatible of shooting down drones if government allow.Then what happens?.Thats clear Pakistani nation is brave but government not.Pakistan need brave and sincere leadership whom show the real image of Pakistan not fake!!!!

Mailk the Americian Agent !! | 13 years ago | Reply Dont turst Mailk and his government they all lies because they are pay back by Americians.Then why Air Chief said that we are comptable of shooting down drones only if government allow us.Their lies exposed after Ramond Davis case.These people wouldnt take care about own peoples but only thinks about saving their government.May Allah give Pakistan good and sincere leadership Ameen.

sharjeel khan | 13 years ago | Reply just compare this with our neighbour and islamic and under sanctioned country iran,,,,,,,who shot down drones outside of there air boundary in persian gulf,,,, who says true islamic followers cant succeed? http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158319.html

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply What capabilities do pakistan really have in that case Mr Minister??? except begging, being economic with truth to the people, ensuring media is friendly, looting to hearts content from treasury by whoever is in charge!!!! exporting jihad to countries that don't really want it either, turning blind eye to mushrooming madrassas,declining conventional schools, and murder and mayham om streets of Karachi!!!! Oh yes You do have those lovely brand new F16s from uncle sam, but sadly for you even an attempt to use those beautiful toys against them would bring very Serious repercussions!!! So that's really not an option, hence one just has to tolerate and claim lack of capability!!! Nice excuse, little bit flawed thou!! Why don't you really tell the people the real reason, !!! which is that you lot sold out to americans long back for few dollars and bit of aid!!! In name of fighting terrorists, with whom you lot are very buddy buddy!!!!!! Its better to live one day as sher, than thousand days as slaves!!! You do not have Sovereignty over the land of pure. Its just a illusion, simple as that and the sooner the masses understand this the better!!!!!!

Wollstonecraft | 13 years ago | Reply Please change the headline to: "Pakistan does not have the guts to stop drone strikes - Malik."

Blunt! | 13 years ago | Reply Roflmao! :D

Yasir Sheikh | 13 years ago | Reply I think this is also an effort to create an excuse to shed the responsibility. Pakistan should just banish US from the airbases these drones fly from. Simple solution!

Yasir Sheikh | 13 years ago | Reply Rao Qamar Suleman, Pakistan Air Force Chief, said a few months back that we have capability to take down drones. I would believe him any day over Rehman Malik. Rehman Malik has a knack to poke his ugly nose in every matter and that too, only in front of media. Please your masters all you can, Rehman Malik!

Asif | 13 years ago | Reply Mr Rehman Malik, what happened to Pakistan's wide range of combat jets and surface to air missiles. I thought they were there to protect Pakistani citizens.

Ron(Indian) | 13 years ago | Reply @ba ha: Stick to the point.. I am not interested what gaddafi says... My point is F16 are more than enough against drones as drones don't have much speed and air to air combat skill. If you have more argument regarding this then please put forward don't divert the topic. Thanks.

Hafeez.Indian | 13 years ago | Reply No one in Pakistan will believe his statement. This statement is to satisfy his Masters (No necessary for me mention who is his Master. Pakistani brothers are clever enough to guess)

Amir | 13 years ago | Reply Bhai!! F16 are sold by americans.IF we attack drones,americans will bomb us!! Lets be realistics-There are terrorists on our side.so rather than drones attacking which also kills many innocent people,let the army clean the mess!!

ba ha | 13 years ago | Reply F16 Ha Ha-Like Gaddafi sank the Nato armada and blew the Gnatts out of the sky??@Ron(Indian):

Ron(Indian) | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan not capable of stopping drone strikes: Malik But pakistan has F16. They are enough to pull down the slow speed drones

ba ha | 13 years ago | Reply Gulp! What else can one say?

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