Nawaz says the strikes are unacceptable. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
"Drone attacks must stop. We have protested many a time. This is simply unacceptable," he commented in a meeting with German Foreign Minister Dr Guido Westerwelle who called on him along with a six-member delegation at the Prime Minister's House on Saturday.
The comments came after the US Charge d’ Affaires (CdA), Deputy Ambassador Richard Hoagland was summoned by the Foreign Office to lodge a “strong protest” against the drone strike in North Waziristan which killed seven people on Friday.
A statement released by the Foreign Office said that the “Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the drone strikes which are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Hoagland was handed a demarche, emphasising the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes.
Nawaz invites German investment
During the meeting, the German Foreign Minister discussed bilateral relations as well as the prevailing regional situation with the Prime Minister.
Nawaz said that Pakistan regarded Germany as a close friend and as the prime minister it would be his endeavor to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. He hoped that Pakistan would benefit from the technological advancement and economic development of Germany.
Dilating on the acute power shortage in the country, the premier said his government was working on a plan to overcome load shedding. He invited the German investors to exploit this opportunity by investing in Pakistan's power sector and welcomed investment by some Germans to set up thermal power plants which could be run on coal and gas. Nawaz also offered to facilitate the setting up of their plants near coal mines in Pakistan.
The prime minister expressed the hope that German investors visit Pakistan to see the business climate and opportunities that the country had to offer.
Dr Westerwelle said that the German government was keen to send a business delegation to Pakistan and the German Ambassador in Pakistan would be facilitating the visit of this delegation comprising 60 German businessmen, which would be visiting Pakistan shortly. He also proposed a joint investment conference in which German and Pakistani investors participate and share their knowledge and explore the prospects of investment in Pakistan.
The German foreign minister also assured Germany's continued support for Pakistan's efforts to get GSP Plus status in the European Union.
"There is a positive sentiment in the Pakistani business community which looks towards my government for good economic policies and encouraging the business sector," Nawaz observed.
"We have a tough situation at hand but we have team and the determination to turn around the economy".
Multi-pronged policy for Afghanistan
Germany, which is a major stakeholder in Afghanistan, invested with troops, economic and financial commitments, the country’s foreign minister also spoke to Nawaz about restoring peace in the war torn country.
Dr Westerwelle said that he was coming from Kabul where he had meetings with President Karzai and sought assessment of the regional situation.
Nawaz said that Pakistan wanted to expand cooperation with Afghanistan and support the Afghan nation. He added that there had to be a multi-pronged policy to tackle the situation in Afghanistan.
The premier added that Pakistan was ready to facilitate the withdrawal of coalition troops from Afghanistan and hoped that Afghan army and security forces would be able to manage the situation after the withdrawal of coalition troops.
COMMENTS (62)
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They are killing innocent people not terrorists. So many families have been killed by drones, they never show the identity of "which terrorist died". Probably they have killed some but as far as I know, they are doing a very bad job in killing the right people. @R.L.D.:
Imran Khan said that when he lost. Therefore, he knows it is not his resposibility to act against Drones. He is challenging Nawaz Sharif so people hate him if he is not able to sort everything out....has any leader ever made a country perfect?..I don't think so, I personally think Nawaz is much better and we should give his team some time to settle down. Other than that, good point. @Diggvijay Singh:
Drone strike is a costly affair . It is used only to target a terrorist who is holding a key position in terrorist organization . It is not only drones which is challenginng the sovereignity of Pakistan but there are so many terrorists who are crossing the border without taking due permission .
A simple equation. Do not let Tajiks, Uzbeks, Arabs, Chechens & other terrorists from Africa and all over the world to violate your sovereignty by defying your borders and immigration rules, rest assured USA will respect your sovereignty.
Mr. Nawaz Sharif please don't say US by giving just requesting statements to stop drones' strikes and always fear Allah Almighty by trusting only Allah Almighty with strong belief and faith and take practical,stern and strict actions and steps to stop drones' strikes because the nation elected you on behalf of your few manifestos not only for giving statements because PPP's government has also been giving statements but couldn't do any thing practically,for instance, 1-Ending the most severe electricity load shedding, 2-Stopping US' drones' strikes, 3-Rehabilitation of diseased and weakened Pakistan's and Pakistan's key departments' economy and 4-Real peace and calmness in Pakistan by ending internal insecurity threats and killings......
@ ashsar , Only Musarraf knows how to stop drone strike in Pakistan . He has remote device to change the direction of Drones .Otherwise the damaged Drone is more dangerous than the flying one . If your suggested solution would have been a practical solution to get rid of from Drone then PAF would have applied it so far .
Hit the drone to stop the drone. The only solution.
@Dr.A.K.Tewari: It will stop when the first drone will be hit by PAF which will eventually be the last drone attack in our areas.
More people die in Karachi by political gangsters than people die in tribal areas by drones. Please make your priority PML-N
@Dark knight , Drone us an international state of art , not only Indian and Israeili but Pakistani scientists are there working under the command of CIA at Newada desert ,US . It will stop only when there will be complete disarm if terrorists in our region .
we have heard nothing from ik abt these drones. were is parwez khattak. all are in the same boat. no one dares to shoot Down the drones. bunch of Cowards.
If drone attacks will continue then next ruling party will be PTI.
@Dark Knight:
You are farsighted but weak with shortsight. Not the Israelis and not the yanks, but the German innovation and mae in Germany technology which is available to the world since 1945. The
Rex Minor
Those who are against the statement of NS are against the stoppage of drone attacks, is it what I should understand? if yes, its pathetic.
One expects a third term PM to be like statesman. Statesmen speak volume in few words and people realize that these statements are based on well researched policies. The recent response of new PM “Drone attack must stop” with no alternative is not a statesmen like statement. What happens if there is a second drone attack? Pakistan will create Slalah like situation where NATO routes will be blocked for few months or the Raymond Davis like scenarios. Each next drone will come with demand for apology and compensation for dead? All these will lead to a negative environment and all creative energy will be wasted in crisis management. Drones are a direct result of failure of local government in dealing with the situation. Million dollar question is what does new government brings to the table in getting rid of terrorism? Talk alone with TTP s not enough. There is no effort of rehabilitation of these people, no demand for surrender of arms, no IRA like negotiation, no incentive for these people.
Drone attacks must stop. NS Please tell us how you gonna do this....????
@DongaBonga: Do you have solar energy equipment.???? Book one for me. ......!!
Terrorists attacks must stop against innocent citizens on both sides of the border. Terrorists must give up voilence.
Look at all these Taliban apologists, who justify all the killings done by Taliban. They advice us to sue for peace with the TTP all the time because apparently they are "sick of war", yet at the same time they tell us to shoot down drones as if that won't bring any war or sanctions...
You can not stop drone attacks, you will never.. keep on crying, shouting, rolling on floor, show your tears whatever you can do, do it but drones will not be stopped till the last terrorist is Pakistani territory.
Instead, collaborate with the Americans and take control of drones.
Beggars can't be choosers.try shooting them down and you will really be eating grass for1000 years .Even your Saudi or Chinese masters won't feed you.
Before requesting to halt drone strke mr PM , ensure the world community that Pakistan will not allow any one to possess illeagal arm in its terretory and it's area will not serve as a breedinhg ground for terrorists . Give free hand to it's arm forces to deal with such elements .Ban the celebration of Kashmir solidarity day and blasphemy law with immediate effect . It is only then you and your nation may get the advantages of international laws . Drones may halt it's strike for the time being on your request but entire Pakistan will remain in it's range for many more years to come . The international community is in no mood to give opportunity to get reorganise .Be sure ......
Starting Gen Mush, coalition govt and now NS govt, we have recorded words to condemn the drone attacks even though the targets are identified by the ground intelligence. Each time a major attack takes place of a high value target is hit the govt of the day plays the same old record. Actually hum mazamut karte hain wo marammat karte hain. Each of the three Pakistani govt is fulfilling our International responsibilities and agreements no matter what recorded words they play.
@abc
I suppose the American's view it as self defense - I also suspect that many would argue that providing sanctuary to terrorist who are attacking your neighbors is an act of war.
No timeftame on electricity and now only statement on dr one attacks main sb nation wants actions not statements. Nation has given you mandate of PM not post master.
There will be no guarantee of safe withdrawal of US troops, unless drone attacks are not stopped forthwith by US once and for all.
Enough is enough.
PM please bring all your investment back into Pakistan and strengthen economy of the country. Only economically strong Pakistan can negotiate with the international community. Waiting for you to make the right move, bring every single paisa back into the country, and inspire investors
Appreciable statement. Well at least now we have realized that this war is not in our favor, so it will be better to quit as soon as it is possible. US should realized that a democratic govt is not ready to allow drones in their country. The next step should be to stop terrorism activities in Pakistan by either dialogue with Taliban or by any other way, but just let this country be in peace.
Same Noora Kushti.
@Fahad Raza:
One does not shoot down unmanned drones, one intercepts the signals and brings them down to the ground. Both Iran and China have aleady the software for this video game. The German engneers are involved in dveloping advanced drones for surveillance of foreign territories, and at the request of the US. We ae talking about a mini scene of the cyber war, in place of cold war of the 20th century.
China is reportedly far advanced and it would seem plan to bring down the aging super power in a shorter spac of time then prolonging the agony. They are being accused of having dvelopd a massive organiston and a private industry to intervene, interupt and vitualy steal industry and Govrnment information from the western industry. Several such software pograms are on sale in china whih will allow interventions into supposedly protected networks.
Rex Minor
Anyone who denies my claims can contact Julian Assagne. I personally met the man in a highly confidential meeting in Congo with him.
India is also planning to 'surgically strike' using sophisticated drone planes if Pakistan continues to support China against India. China was taught a good lesson recently after the stand-off and Chinese premier was in India to apologise. By the way did you know drones were designed by Israeli - Indian joint cooperative Engineering bodies. It was then sold to US which was having trouble controlling insurgency in Yemen and Pakistan.
U.S.A: ok nawaz blinks
@abc:
Not so fast sir! Nawaz Sharif knows the diplomatic procedure and step by step before a complete severence of diplomatic relations..
Protests, strong protests, recall of ambasador, from embassy to a councilate office level and eventual closure. In the meantime what is it that Pakisan military man is reviewing about the border with the Afghan military together with ISAF-NATO- force American commander.
Rex Minor
Its not going to stop !....try your hardest !.... yes, it will be a subject for the rest of 5 years for all the politicians, but, its not going to happen.
Mr PM you need to do something more than mere rhetoric.
A protest, from the same Government that provided a safe house for OBL and protects Mullah Omar even today , cannot be taken seriously by anybody.
This is great news: PM Nawaz Sharif has announced that the Pakistani Army will take full control of North Waziristan and rest of the FATA region now outside the writ of the state of Pakistan, closing down all the Terrorist "Safe Havens" and Training Camps!! There will no longer be any distinction between Good Taliban (assets!) and Bad Taliban types by the state of Pakistan, and no quarter will be given to any TTP/Taliban encountered in the future by any Pakistani Forces inside sovereign Pakistan! Those few miscreants not killed will be tried for treason against the state in a Military Court to eliminate undue influence on judges and witnesses that existed before! By these actions the state of Pakistan will show the world that Drone Strikes are no longer necessary, and no longer will Tourism style "Terrorist Training Camps" be permitted to exist inside Pakistan!
Yeh lo.....aaa gayeee nawaz ki Bari.
I am sure we will listen this stetement for the next 5 year, if the Punjabi National Assembly ends up completing it's term.
Just an absolute sham. This is not even a small news piece in the American media today. It is all for domestic consumption by the new PML-N government. The Generals have told the previous government that if Government decides the drones can be shut down straight away with counter measures. Therefore, drones cannot get into our territory without Army’s consent. So let’s stop this deception and get straight answers from Army, can they stop it? The lengthy debates defining drones to be as if something unique in modern warfare is also absurd. It is no different in its application as if a foreign nation fires a missile on your land kill your citizens. The drones are such 'missiles' which are remotely controlled however, killing people or destroying its targets like any conventional missiles by violating territorial sovereignty of country. This is nothing but an act of war. Pakistan must prepare to respond if true to its rhetoric.
@naraazshareef: where does IK come in. why don't you tell him to knock them down with his world famous BAT?
Imense pressure from Director Imran Khan !Now dialogue changed from "SHOULD" to "MUST".Its Working guys!!!
We Know It Must Be Stop. Do Something To Stop Drone.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan must be lauded for finally telling the USA "where to get off". . The USA has no alternative but to stop the Drone Attacks. . Well done Pakistani Prime Minister The Right Honourable Nawaz Sharif! . Cheers
Wanna stop drones? Start with moving a resolution in the UN. Follow up with ads in major NATO country newspapers (don't even think about OIC--it is a circus of US lackeys). Send a delegation of 20 top political and social emissaries for all parties and walks of life in Pakistan to Washington. Arrange interviews for them with local media. Convince the US public that this is a travesty of justice and heavily counter productive.
Remember that a Drone is only a big remote controlled toy in the hand of heartless mercenaries. If the diplomatic effort fails, chase one out and fire warning shots. If that fails to make it turn back to Kabul, shoot one down. It is just a machine--you are not killing a US person! At the end of the day, this is the only way will get the message across and to defend your honour as a nation and sovereigny as a free state.
Or, keep having innocent Pakistani men, women and children killed und the pretext of hunting bad guys. Your choice Mr. PM!!!
Wanna stop drones? Start with moving a resolution in the UN. Follow up with ads in major NATO country newspapers (don't even think about OIC--it is a circus of US lackeys). Send a delegation of 20 top political and social emissaries for all parties and walks of life in Pakistan to Washington. Arrange interviews for them with local media. Convince the US public that this is a travesty of justice and heavily counter productive.
Remember that a Drone is only a big remote controlled toy in the hand of heartless mercenaries. If the diplomatic effort fails, chase one out and fire warning shots. If that fails to make it turn back to Kabul, shoot one down. It is just a machine--you are not killing a US person! At the end of the day, this is the only way will get the message across and to defend your honour as a nation and sovereigny as a free state.
Or, keep having innocent Pakistani men, women and children killed und the pretext of hunting bad guys. Your choice Mr. PM!
Forget coal and gas... Solar Bubloo solar!!
Common guys...let the new govt stablize itself...
The drone attacks must never stop, it's the only way to get to some of the terrorist.
I agree with Mr. Nawaz. My government has adopted measures indistinguishable from the terrorists. When comparing the morality of 9/11 versus drone attacks, I think there's no clear distinction. And I'm Jewish, therefore certainly no friend of al qaeda or the taliban.
@Dark Knight: if you dont care about innocent civilian deaths, than dont moan when we close the NATO supply line to Afghanistan!! And dont moan when we take down the drone!!
On it's own?
We need an IMF bailout right now. So tread carefully Mr.NS.
So here we have another impotent PM in the offering
Copying IK
As if we care --- US govt
Drone can be tracked by the new Saab 2000 Rekki planes. Shoot em down.!
“Drone attacks must stop. We have protested many a time. This is simply unacceptable,”
Is that all enough Mr Prime Minister ? Tell the truth to Pakistani public. Allowing and denying drones are Pakistan's well thought strategies. This was exposed by wikileakes too. If Americans are doing this without Pakistan's approval, then its a act of war. In war one has to respond with suitable force.
Drone attacks are definitely an insult to the sovereignty and territorial rights of Pakistan. Imran Khan seems to be the only brave Pakistani leader who has taken an ethical stance on this issue. He categorically stated that all Taliban terrorists should be brought to book and tried under state laws. Any extrajudicial punishment will help in creating more terrorists. Drone attacks are not sanctioned by international laws or the laws of any country.
Not just statements Mr. PM, you've been given mandate by this nation, act now. Take concrete steps, send their ambassador packing if happens next time, block NATO supplies and their exit if they still continue.