In a statement released early Friday morning, the Ministry reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position on drone attacks that they are illegal, counterproductive, in contravention of international law and a violation of Pakistani sovereignty.
“There can be no question of Pakistan’s agreement to such attacks,” the statement read.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) had said in a report on Wednesday that Pakistan clears airspace of a certain area where a drone attack is planned, in correspondence with the faxes its intelligence service receives once a month from United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
According to the report, the intended target areas are “outlined” to the Pakistani intelligence service which posits that Pakistan then gives an unspoken consent to the US forces to conduct these strikes within its borders by clearing the airspace and does not “interfere physically with the unpiloted aircraft in flight.”
On Thursday, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar while speaking at the Asia Society in New York said that Pakistan does not disagree with what drones are trying to achieve by targeting terrorists but that they remain unlawful and illegal.
She added that Pakistan is working with the US government on resolving this issue.
The minister though had refused to comment on the Wall Street Journal’s story on drones, maintaining that drone strikes are a reason why the US is unpopular in Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari added at the UN General Assembly on Thursday that drone strikes and civilian casualties on Pakistani territory add to the complexity of Pakistan’s battle for hearts and minds.
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i wonder when they are coming for lahore.. karachi & isd... since hina rabbani will "KEEP on WORKING WITH US over the matter" & i assume a fine evening .. tht m goin to buy bread & eggs from a near bakery & DRONED... !
@Hello2: "Remember the strike by Cruise missiles, during Clinton’s time at an Afghan compound, the alleged hideout of Osama bin Laden."
YEp and also the one on MAy 2 2011
It’s like “I want to have my cake and eat it too.” Her statement betrays confused , illogical and disoriented thinking of the government.
t’s like “I want to have my cake and eat it too.” Her statement betrays confused , illogical and disoriented thinking of the government.
Take this report with a pinch of salt, beggars can't be choosers. They don't really need our approval to do anything in Pakistan's airspace. Remember the strike by Cruise missiles, during Clinton's time at an Afghan compound, the alleged hideout of Osama bin Laden. Pakistan was only informed when the missiles were well on their way!
As pointed earlier, I fully agree with the fact that drone strikes are illegal as long as Pakistan does not agree with drone strikes above its territory. Having said that her remark: "She added that Pakistan is working with the US government on resolving this issue." shows inconsistency. Let's assume that these drones were launched by India or Iran, would she also continue to talk for years to resolve the issue? Drone strikes over/in Pakistani territory (without Pakistan's consent) by whomever is a casus belli. Period. So either you tacitly agree or you declare war. As Pakistan and the US are supposedly allies, only one conclusion is possible, Pakistan or at least some of its institutions tacitly agree. Otherwise you end the alliance. The argument that Pakistan should not declare war on the US because it has no chance of winning such a war does not hold water. Difficult to have it both ways.
How hard is to shoot a drone with a SAM?
And that is exactly what one would expect her to say.