US counter-terrorism manual: Senators furious at Pakistan-specific exemption of drones
Urge Islamabad to take up issue with UN Security Council.
“This is a sheer violation of territorial sanctity and human rights as drone strikes have already killed more innocent people than terrorists in Pakistan,” said Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Senators from both sides of the aisle raised an uproar on Monday over the US government’s new Counter-Terrorism Manual which exempts the CIA from conducting drone strikes within the Pakistani territory.
Senators drew the attention of the house towards a story reported by the Washington Post which suggested that President Barack Obama’s administration would, through a new counter-terrorism manual, allow the CIA to continue striking al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Pakistan for a year or more.
Key upper house members, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senators Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Raja Zafarul Haq and PML-Quaid Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain, asked the government to take up the issue with the UN Security Council before the new law is signed by President Obama.
“This is a sheer violation of territorial sanctity and human rights as drone strikes have already killed more innocent people than terrorists in Pakistan,” said Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah.
Shah further said that the government as well as the military should take serious note of the “aggressive step towards our country,” and added that the US on one hand considers itself a champion of human rights and on the other, violates rights by pounding drones on civilians. “This is a serious concern and it will have long lasting implications in the country and on the region as whole” he added.
Senator Raja Zafarul Haq said that despite the fact that Pakistan has rendered significant sacrifices as a frontline ally in war on terror, the US still treats it like a “Banana Republic”.
Senator Mushahid Hussain said that the US’ move was unacceptable and urged the Pakistani government to up the matter with the UN. Leader of the House Jahangir Badar assured senators that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar would appear in Senate today (Tuesday) and brief them on the government’s strategy regarding the issue.
The Senate also unanimously passed a resolution recommending the government nominate assassinated Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour for an international peace prize.
Meanwhile, JUI Senator Mohammad Khan Shirani and Baloch Senator Kalsoom Perveen criticised the federal government for imposing governor’s rule in Balochistan and requested it to be lifted soon. They also staged a walk in protest.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.
Senators from both sides of the aisle raised an uproar on Monday over the US government’s new Counter-Terrorism Manual which exempts the CIA from conducting drone strikes within the Pakistani territory.
Senators drew the attention of the house towards a story reported by the Washington Post which suggested that President Barack Obama’s administration would, through a new counter-terrorism manual, allow the CIA to continue striking al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Pakistan for a year or more.
Key upper house members, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senators Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Raja Zafarul Haq and PML-Quaid Senator Syed Mushahid Hussain, asked the government to take up the issue with the UN Security Council before the new law is signed by President Obama.
“This is a sheer violation of territorial sanctity and human rights as drone strikes have already killed more innocent people than terrorists in Pakistan,” said Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah.
Shah further said that the government as well as the military should take serious note of the “aggressive step towards our country,” and added that the US on one hand considers itself a champion of human rights and on the other, violates rights by pounding drones on civilians. “This is a serious concern and it will have long lasting implications in the country and on the region as whole” he added.
Senator Raja Zafarul Haq said that despite the fact that Pakistan has rendered significant sacrifices as a frontline ally in war on terror, the US still treats it like a “Banana Republic”.
Senator Mushahid Hussain said that the US’ move was unacceptable and urged the Pakistani government to up the matter with the UN. Leader of the House Jahangir Badar assured senators that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar would appear in Senate today (Tuesday) and brief them on the government’s strategy regarding the issue.
The Senate also unanimously passed a resolution recommending the government nominate assassinated Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour for an international peace prize.
Meanwhile, JUI Senator Mohammad Khan Shirani and Baloch Senator Kalsoom Perveen criticised the federal government for imposing governor’s rule in Balochistan and requested it to be lifted soon. They also staged a walk in protest.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2013.