Achakzai ‘proposes’ stationing US drones in Pakistan

Says DI Khan attack ‘crossed all national security redlines’

QUETTA:

Balochistan Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai on Wednesday reportedly proposed offering drone bases to the United States after a deadly suicide bombing that martyred over two dozen soldiers.

Achakzai said the DI Khan attack on Tuesday has "crossed all the national security redlines of Pakistan." His seven “counterterrorism proposals” included reprisal attacks in Afghanistan, closure of borders, return of Afghan refugees and gathering of “political opposition” of the Afghan Taliban in Islamabad.

He proposed Islamabad offer drone bases to target Al-Qaeda and other militants' alleged sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

The US carried out hundreds of drone attacks on the country’s tribal belt near Afghanistan’s border from 2004 to 2018, killing thousands, mostly civilians.

Read more: DI Khan attack: Taliban dismiss Pakistan’s claim of Afghan involvement as ‘baseless’

Islamabad publicly opposed the drone attacks, terming them a violation of its sovereignty. Many, however, believe Washington had tacit support from Islamabad for the drone strikes.

"Send out a message to Afghan Taliban: We will no longer tolerate any double game. Enough is enough," said Achakzai.

Following the attack, Pakistan's foreign secretary summoned the chargé d'affaires of the interim Afghan government, delivering a strong demarche. The chargé d'affaires was urged to conduct a thorough investigation, take action against perpetrators, publicly condemn the incident, and hand over TTP leadership in Afghanistan.

Pakistan's foreign secretary stated, "Today’s terrorist attack is yet another reminder of the terrorist threat to peace and stability in the region. We must act resolutely with all our collective might to defeat this menace. On its part, Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to combat terrorism." Anadolu Agency

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