Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaking at the US Institute of Peace. PHOTO: S. Kleine-Ahlbrandt-TWITTER
Nawaz, who is on a visit to Washington on the heels of a major Amnesty International report on drones, told an audience at the US Institute of Peace think tank that the attacks posed a "major" impediment to relations with the United States.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called for the United States to end drone strikes, saying they violated his country's territorial integrity, and were a “major irritant” in relations between the two countries.
Nawaz, who is on a visit to Washington on the heels of a major Amnesty International report on drones, told an audience at the US Institute of Peace think tank that the attacks posed a "major" impediment to relations with the United States. He refuted the notion that Pakistan was an epicenter of terrorism, insisting that Pakistan has been affected badly by terrorism and pointed to the deaths of over 40,000 citizens in the ongoing fight.
Dilating on “Pakistan’s vision for regional peace and development,” Nawaz stated that all political parties in Pakistan agreed that drones violate the territorial integrity of the country and are counterproductive to peace building measures.
Pakistan-Afghanistan
With US troops scheduled to vacate Afghanistan in 2014, the Prime Minister reiterated that a stable and prosperous western neighbour is in the interest of Pakistan. Nawaz said he had assured President Karzai that “Pakistan does not wish to interfere in Afghan internal affairs”.
The premier also promised $450 million for rebuilding in Afghanistan as well as a plan to extend the Karachi-Peshawar highway to Kabul.
Issues with India can be talked out
With concerns over the recent spike in violent activity along the disputed Line of Control that has threatened to turn relations between nuclear tipped neighbours Pakistan and India sour, Nawaz offered a possible route to deflate tensions.
“With India we would like to pick up the threads from where we left in 1999 and seriously address our issues.”
At the top of the issues that Nawaz said he wants to pick up is the longstanding dispute over Kashmir, one that has already seen the two countries go to war twice. But Nawaz, who was prime minister when Pakistan last entered in to a major conflict with India over Kashmir, said that both countries need to sit down and seriously address the matter through dialogue.
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The asked question is selfexplaining in nature . The use of Drone is not being opposed by all the five members of the security council on the floor of UN since all of them are suffering from terrorism originating from Pakistan . No one will use her VITO power on this issue .
Petty the nation whenever its PM speaks anything regarding terrorism he sounds more like representing TTP rather then the state of Pakistan. This genius thinks that having hub of global terrorism within his countries border is no irritant between the US and Pakistan.
@Maj Gen Pasha (retd):
I really do hope that you are indeed a former army officer as claimed, and wish this were a more widely shared realization among both currently serving and retired officers, let alone our politicians and public, which would indicate some seriousness.
But as you correctly noticed we are not serious and impotent. Even Musharraf, a former army man himself, and other members from the army then, too gave denials of Osama's existence in Pak. Worse was how we acted after the raid and our warped priorities, which still has not changed.
Pakistan's terrorism a 'Major irritant' to world peace.
@Syed A. Mateen: = If drones are killing innocent civilians, why are they with the terrorists? = As for relations, USA is only giving you a lip service (deceiving and hiding OBL in a Cantonment) = Pakistan has only one choice: go after ALL Taliban (good and bad).
Why does not US use drones over England or Ireland, but why Pakistan? Because we harbor terrorists and are willing to negotiate with them (even if they kill thousands of our own). While civilized countries don't .
P.S: I am a Pakistani.
Sir, Here is the link that should be noted before your meeting with POTUS ! http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/white-house-defends-drone-strikes-in-pakistan-after-amnesty-report-questioning-civilian-deaths/2013/10/22/4ac253f2-3b41-11e3-b0e7-716179a2c2c7_story.html
The answer is NO ! Its going to be business as usual.
Yeah right - this the same Pakistan that requires IMF funding and US aid to stay afloat?
$450 million to rebuild Afghanistan, is this some kind of stupid joke told by a bad joker? We borrow and then this man wants to play 'santa' for others at our cost. Can this PM look more ridiculous than this in front of those who he goes to beg ?
"Issues with India can be talked out"
Sir, With all due respect, please don't test other people's intelligence here ! How can you consider picking up threads from 1999 ? Do you realise or acknowledge as to what taken place since then in both the Nations ? Those cockroaches responsible for Mumbai Massacre of innocent civilian was an act of war, by your so called " Non State Actors" trained by elements within your country, yet they are not only roaming free, but actually being financially supported by your family members ! Please don't bother wasting time on talks with India as this status que should be maintained until you or whoever is making your Foreign Policy decides that enough is enough and that the flawed policies of using elements to fight your battles has not really worked and start with fresh page ! There is no question of returning to 1999, as the world has moved on and too much has occurred between these two nations, since your last tenure ! I suggest that you first start with implementing some serious policies related to your internal security, as its been quite obvious that you simply can not even deal with that crises, then worry about neighbours ! Sir, nothing as simple as you make it out to be ! You should know, as you are a very seasoned politician of this failed state.
@ModiFied: I cannot agree with you more. I cannot thank you enough for knowing the exact reason why there is no change in American attitude. It is the weakness of our leaders. Look at the pathetic spineless coward my people voted for. Do you think he can actually stand up against the US and risk freezing his assets. The solution? Pretty simple. Ask China to aid us in military action against the drones. This action will have international consequences probably, maybe drastic but USA will not dare to have their drones flying in that area again. China has already stated: "An action against Islamabad, is an action against Beijing." But why would my spineless rulers do that? That would mean sanctions and their black money abroad will be frozen. Na Na. Well done PML-N voters, well done.
@Syed A. Mateen: US has already made its choice. It will kill terrorists where it finds them. It does not care if such actions affect US Pakistan relations adversely. Other countries have enforced their sovereignty vis-a-vis US e.g. Iran shot down an American drone. China shot down a US. Plane. Even India arrested a US vessel carrying arms which was passing illegally through Indian territories. Now one wold like o see if Pakistan has the guts to shoot down a drone. If it does not, then it should stop bragging about being a nuclear power because neither can it withstand an open war nor can it prevail in a guerilla war against TTP.
Where the "lion" was "roaring" (meowing)? At the Institute of Peace? I wonder what were the meeting minutes with Kerry.
@Maj Gen Pasha (retd): General, firstly, respect for you. Drones are a violation of Pakistani soil's independence (or the illusion of it). Maj Gen Pasha how can we allow that in any condition? Our politicians are spineless. They lack courage altogether. I also have similar sentiments for the former Army Chief turned President. But I shall not comment on him out of respect for you.
@Syed A. Mateen: Who will take the stance against USA? Not these spineless rulers who have all their financial stocks abroad. How can they risk their assets being frozen in case of a sanction? Pakistanis voted and supported slaves into the NA, who in turn will make the Pakistanis even more dependent and will push them deeper down, economically and socially.
Nawaz looks so lost in a full suit ! Stick to the national dress Mian saab, even the Indian PM does the same. Not everyone can carry a suit and you certainly cannot! Also, can you please have the army and ISI openly disown the extremist elements they have protected for years and come clean in order to fight the Taliban at home and abroad? If you do, then drone strikes would end, but by playing a double game, you will only open yourself to more drone attacks.
Wait.. We're a nuclear power with formidable defense forces ... someone's bombing us and we're just making statements of how wrong it is? Doesn't that point towards the very obvious?
Can you deal with the issues of terror networks and safe havens for the terror outfits ? If not, then please let others do your bidding, as the chances are that you may not even have an Nation left, if allowed to continue on the present course. There are also implications to not only regional, but global stability, due to those terror factories you have in your domain. So kindly let others do your job, as you actually can not even agree on an policy to tackle the crises !
Dear ET, You could have chosen a better picture in which our head of state looked more confident and charming.
I have written time and again that US drone strikes on Pakistan is not only killing innocent people more than militants, but it is also increasing anti-American sentiments in Pakistan.
The major hurdle between Pakistan and US in improving relations are drone strikes.
Now US has only once choice.
Either to improve bilateral relations with Pakistan, or keep on striking through drones.
The choice is of US now.
As soon as we become serious about punishing terrorists ourselves other countries such as the United States will not need to operate drones. Our government and every major politician including Taliban Khan all denied that Osama was in Pakistan , when they found him in a garrison city we became the laughing stock of the international community. Until we become serious about handling our own problems we will continue to see others handle them for us because we will remain impotent
Islamic nuclear power literally begging to stop drone attacks. Don't be surprised if there is drone attack when NS is having photo session with Obama. On the contrary please have a look at this news item (http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-india-arrests-us-vessel-20131018,0,7908125.story#axzz2iT4ZjKHK) whereby India detained the US ship for illegally entering the Indian waters with unauthorized arms. Have guts and shoot down the drones.