Talks the only way to resolve issue of drone attacks: Foreign Secretary

Jalil Abbas Jilani admits 80% of casualties of drone attacks are terrorists, but maintains they violates sovereignty.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani said on Friday that Pakistan was engaged in a dialogue with the United States and that it was the only way to resolve the issue of drone attacks.

Briefing Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs here, the Foreign Secretary said US drone attacks are unacceptable as these are violative of sovereignty of Pakistan, “Drone attacks are against sovereignty of Pakistan, against international law and against the UN charter.”

The foreign secretary said that about 3000 people have been killed in drone attacks, 80 per cent of whom, he admitted, were terrorists.

Despite the fact that 20 per cent of all those killed were civilians and not terrorists or that drone strikes were illegal under international law, Jilani reiterated that dialogue with the United States is the only way to resolve the issue.

The positive, Jilani pointed out, was that the international community is supporting Pakistan’s stance on drone attacks.