Pakistan condemns 'illegal' US drone strikes
Three drone strikes in as many days on suspected militants have killed 27 people, Pakistani intelligence officials say.
The foreign ministry called the attacks "illegal" and said they violated the country's sovereignty.
A statement released on Monday said that the strategic disadvantages of the strikes far outweigh the tactical benefits, hence totally counterproductive.
Washington and Islamabad are deadlocked in negotiations over the re-opening of land supply routes to Nato forces in Afghanistan. One of the conditions put forward by Pakkistan's Parliament to re-open the routes is a halt in the strikes.
Islamabad blocked the supply routes in November after 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed by cross-border 'friendly fire' from Nato aircraft.
The supply lines are considered vital to the planned withdrawal of most foreign combat troops from Afghanistan before the end of 2014.
The Pakistan’s government says the CIA drone campaign fuels anti-American sentiment in the country, and is counterproductive because of the collateral damage - civilian deaths - it causes.
US officials say such strikes by the remotely piloted aircraft are a highly effective way of attacking militants and are an important weapon in the war against militancy. They maintain that the attacks are per US laws.
COMMENTS (34)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Increase strikes to cover ministers that attend rallies of banned outfits
Pakistan condemns just verbally and USA kills practically.Wow what a war game of words and practicals.This is only happening in Pakistan because every one or every concerned department is getting its due share in $$$$$$ to not to take any practical steps in this regard except giving condemning statements on the media.
Besides protesting to the US, Pakistan also needs to ask the so many foreigners in South Waziristan to leave Pakistan or get proper documentation.
What PAF can do . Pakistan can't afford the retaliation of international community . If the route remain closed then the proposed withdrawl will be also delayed and India will supply the requirements throgh air on less cost than Pakistan is demanding as tariff .
@Zalim Sing, PAF work on google maps. The google maps do not work for sighting drones, so they are not of much help. They are good only for droping 12000 bombs on Tribals who has nothing to do with Jihad.
@Zalim Singh:
Did you ever hear about the kill-switch that USA has installed on each flying device such as F16 or Gunship halicopter supplied by the USA to some countries?
'' Pakistan condemns US AID too ? ''
Why the Defence Force does not destroy the lansing pads of these drones? We have nuclear arm to destroy the humanity but helpless against these drones!!
What a shame!
@Critique: "We’ve blocked NATO routes – do you see that as oral condemnation too?" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I see that as self flagellation
@Romm: Ah Pakistani friend, the Indians want it to stay closed.
@Romm:
You have also been claiming that US will wither and bow down to Pakistan after closing the supply routes, that too hasn't happened.
Just look at whats happening, Drone strikes within Pakistani territory. 6 in the last 2 weeks.
Pakistan has achieved nothing, but lost face; it will continue to lose face for every Drone that hits Pakistani citizens, while the Army and PAF combo just sit idly and watch.
Maybe thats the secret deal they have reached. "You kill our citizens, we will protest, you will ignore, people will love us and hate you".
Even North Korea doesn't allow attacks on its soil.
Is PAF asleep?
God bless USA. These drone attacks are per US and International laws. I don't understand why Pakistan keeps whinning about It even though they are supposed to be a nuclear power. I think all these testing of Pak missiles is for domestic consumption since the country cannot even protect Its own borders.
@Romm: What happen to order of free hand that individual post can shoot down drone without prior permission?
Big talk for national consumption. MR K know their capability.
Yes, this is clearly going to make a difference. Just sit and condemn. That's their part. Leave the suffering to us.
From last 10 yrs there has not been a single attack on NATO states by taliban because they are hiding in caves in fear ...OBL is also killed US has already achieved its mission and drones are doing the remaining work...
One can understand why Pakistan is making hue and cry over the drone attacks. In the last two attacks the drone targetted the Taliban Commander Mullah Nazir's right hand Mullah Malang who is Ahmadzai Wazir and based in Bermal (border b/w Afghanistan and South Waziristan. His job is to send Taliban fighters into Afghanistan to fight the NATO and Americans. Mullah Nazir is a 'good guy' and in the good books of Pakistan military establishment. The drone attacks have in fact killed the strategic assets of Pak Army. It is, therefore, Pakistan's protest over the loss of its strategic assets.
Look at our neighbor friends celebrate deaths in our country. disgusting.
@Romm: Better to be called 'deethh' than losing ones sovereignty.
so why dont the pak govt complainto UN..??? do they dare do it...????
@Hairaan:
We've blocked NATO routes - do you see that as oral condemnation too?
For once in your life, be satisfied and stop criticizing your own nation
@Babloo: Pakistan should bring tribal areas under control and America should win war on terror and war on drugs. You should first send your family members into the tribal area for battle against taliban before you condemn the poor of Pakistan to go to war to preserve your urban lifestyle.
@Sandip Dont get fooled. This is something we call "noora kushti" in Pakistan. They want to create noise only. They have no plans to get heard.
and the point is?
Pakistan's foreign office is a laughing stock
"The foreign ministry called the attacks “illegal” and said they violated the country’s sovereignty."
Wrong. Under the post-9/11 U.N. Security Council Resolution 1373 Pakistan has the binding sovereign obligation in international law to root out terrorists, terror havens, terror training camps, and terror financing from its territory. In areas like the Wazirstans where Pakistan demonstrably chooses not to act Pakistan’s sovereignty is nulled when other nations do so.
We don’t hear this argument from diplomats because since 2006 reports about Pakistan’s noncompliance with 1373 have been classified by the Security Council. With the FM taking a foolishly aggressive approach I wonder if the rest of the Security Council will choose to express its displeasure by de-classifying these reports?
Topi Drama of pakistan.
@Hairaan: No. There is much suspicion that the army is cooperating with US on these strikes. These statements are just for show.
@Hairaan, Sure there is lot Pakistan can do to stop the drone strikes. It should bring Waziristan under the control of Pakistan and now allow any militant group to operate from there and disarm all militant groups - from Haqinni brothers to TTP to Let to Mullah Nazir and Afghan Taliban. You cannot claim that its territory of Pakistan and then claim you have no control over militant groups that rule that area and launch cross border attacks.
Can we do anything beyond oral condemnation?
Looks like the strikes were highly successful given the noise emanating from the FO.