Pakistan has termed the US drone attacks inside its territory ‘unjustified’ saying these were counterproductive and diminished space for creating support against extremists in the region.
“Our leadership has always condemned these in the strongest terms and [they are] unjustified,” Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told students here at a lecture at the University of Western Australia, organised by the Australian Institute of International Affairs.
Khar, who was there for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), spoke about the challenges facing Pakistan in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
She categorically rejected that Pakistan was into any “double game”, as alleged by the BBC documentary on the war against terror.
“Had we not been sincere, why would the terrorists and extremists target our innocent people and security forces?” asked Khar.
The Afghan prospect
Khar said Pakistan’s biggest foreign policy objective was peace and stability in the neighbourhood.
She termed the death of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani as the most damaging incident for the Afghanistan peace prospects. She said blaming Pakistan for this was “just complicating” the matters.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2011.
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@Sachal Sarmast: India doesn't have any strategy to exploit Pakistan. I don't think Pakistan has anything that can be exploited except Terrorism. India in its entire history, never exploited or invaded any other region. India is already struggling with its internal worries of corruption, inflation and reduced growth rate. We have our own set of problems. Please do not drag India into this. We are minding our own business of setting our house right in all front so that if there is any economic crisis India must not be in a situation like the EU or other troubled economics.
I wonder if the world and especially the Pakistani citizens themselves realize that because the US doesn't formally acknowledge the drone strikes, that means Pakistan's claim goes along with it. Why would the US have Pakistan say something exists that they, themselves, do not? It's against even their own policy. How do you give official permission for someone to create a situation that doesn't officially exist?
A charming lady but wrong on this subject - drone strikes do the job our leadership is not willing to do
@Mahesh Uberoi:
But Pakistani government consented long while ago. Now you are going back on your promise.
Great position from a morel perspective. It might be more productive and legitimate if Pakistan enforce accountability from authorities that gave permission for using Pak's airforce bases for drone attacks.
Till few months back, most people in this country (particularly parliamentarians) did not know that one of the air bases in the country has been leased out to a middle east nation, who then is able to use the contract for facilitating American drone flights!
But then everybody is in double or game with multiple faces. USA, India and many others. However, these games should be substituted by the real solution of the crisis. Extremism and instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan should be put to an end. How? All concerned must revisit their old tactics and strategies, for they have failed to deliver the results. Rational and realistic attitude must prevail upon subjectivity. Some bold decisions are to be made. India must give up the strategy to exploit weaknesses of Pakistan and also should come forward and help Pakistan to get the results. And Pakistan should reciprocate in its own interest that is stability. All developing countries are moving fast on high trajectory of new path, we can join them if we are not engulfed in these fires.
With due respect, Hina is a baby in international politics. She will parrot what the 'agencies' tell her without any of her own analytic skills coming into play. Each missile that is used by the drones costs nearly 1/2 million dollars. No country is crazy enough to waste so much money just for the heck of it. Why would anybody target innocent citizens anyway? Maybe the TTP and the rest of Taliban might. This argument that the drones are targeting innocent citizens is silly in the extreme. That is the reason why Taliban Khan will never get elected.
But mam what's the alternative option. If US send's its ground troops it will be considered plain violation of soverignity & loss of attacking troops also. Moreover US are more worried of US lives than about drones.Their should be some sought of coordination between attacking troops & Pakistan Army, so that innocent lifes can be saved. But disadvantage of this will be that the terrorista may be informed earlier itself and they can flee(as feared by US).
Hina Rabbani Khar is correct. No super power should be allowed to enter another country with a valid reason and consent of the government of that country. US drone attacks inside Pakistan bring a great deal of unnecessary resentment.
and what is PPPs Govt doing to Prevent the Drone strikes from taking place on almost daily basis and killing masses of Pukhtoons?