Drones’ utility ‘beside the point’: Gilani

Premier says Pakistanis see it as an attack on country’s sovereignty.


March 09, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


Despite their success in taking out al Qaeda leaders, Pakistan is against drone strikes since they are attacks against its sovereignty, said Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.


“[Their success] is beside the point,” the premier said, adding that the people see them as a sign of disrespect for Pakistan and its people.

“To win the war [on terror], it is essential to have the support of … the people of Pakistan,” Gilani said.

While Pakistan and the United States have cooperation in defence and intelligence, actionable and credible intelligence needs to be passed on to Pakistan for action, he added.

Relations with US

Gilani said the US is an important country and Islamabad does not wish to blight their bilateral relations.

A parliamentary committee has already prepared recommendations for new terms of engagement and cooperation with the United States, ISAF and the NATO forces, the premier said.

Both countries are working as partners with a common goal to fight extremism and terrorism, and Pakistan desires relations based on mutual respect and interest, he added.

Stable neighbourhood

Afghanistan’s stability is vital for Pakistan’s stability, Gilani said when asked about relations with the neighbouring country.

Both countries have suffered a lot in the war against terrorism and should work together to fight their common enemy, the premier said, adding that stability would bring prosperity to the entire region.

Political reconciliation is the only answer for stability in both Pakistan and Afghanistan and military operations do not offer a permanent solution to any problem, Gilani said.

Political ‘threats’

Does the premier see Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan as a ‘formidable threat’?

“[Imran] is nowhere near; we have two-thirds majority in the Senate and the National Assembly with the help of our coalition partners,” the premier said.

He added that Imran boycotted last general elections and had urged the people not to vote.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2012.

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