On the back of PHC’s verdict, PTI moves to block NATO supplies
Set to pass resolution in K-P assembly in retaliation to drone strikes.
On April 11, the PHC termed drone strikes a ‘war crime’. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) historic judgment on drone strikes in April seems to have become the basis for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government’s announcements of blocking Nato supplies to Afghanistan through Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
On April 11, the PHC termed drone strikes a ‘war crime’ and ordered the federal government and security forces to ensure the strikes are not carried out in the future and a stern warning is conveyed to the US. However, the federal government has failed to follow the verdict thus far.
“Proper warning be administered in this regard and if that does not work, the Government of Pakistan and state institutions, particularly the security forces, shall have the right of being under constitutional and legal obligations to shutdown the drones attacking Pakistani territories or when these enter the airspace of Pakistan’s sovereign territory,” read the judgment.
It further instructs the government to present the matter to the Security Council of the UNO and in case the US uses its veto powers, an urgent meeting of the General Assembly be requisitioned through a written request to resolve the issue effectively.
“In case the US authorities do not comply with the UNO resolution, whether passed by the Security Council or by the General Assembly, the Government of Pakistan shall sever all ties with the USA and, as a mark of protest, shall deny all logistic and other facilities to the USA within Pakistan,” it states.
According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal website, at least 13 drone strikes have been carried out in North and South Waziristan agencies since the PHC’s judgment, killing nearly 80 suspected militants, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
The issue of drone strikes was also discussed recently during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US.
Additionally, Amnesty International released a report last month stating the US is committing ‘war crimes’ and should stand trial as several innocent people have been killed by drones.
Since the PTI government took charge in K-P, it has reiterated many times that it would block Nato’s supply trucks going through the province to Afghanistan, but no concrete steps have been taken as yet. However, in the wake of Hakimullah’s death, PTI chief Imran Khan announced his party would introduce resolutions in the provincial and national assemblies to block Nato supplies, basing his decision on the PHC’s April judgment.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2013.
The Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) historic judgment on drone strikes in April seems to have become the basis for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government’s announcements of blocking Nato supplies to Afghanistan through Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
On April 11, the PHC termed drone strikes a ‘war crime’ and ordered the federal government and security forces to ensure the strikes are not carried out in the future and a stern warning is conveyed to the US. However, the federal government has failed to follow the verdict thus far.
“Proper warning be administered in this regard and if that does not work, the Government of Pakistan and state institutions, particularly the security forces, shall have the right of being under constitutional and legal obligations to shutdown the drones attacking Pakistani territories or when these enter the airspace of Pakistan’s sovereign territory,” read the judgment.
It further instructs the government to present the matter to the Security Council of the UNO and in case the US uses its veto powers, an urgent meeting of the General Assembly be requisitioned through a written request to resolve the issue effectively.
“In case the US authorities do not comply with the UNO resolution, whether passed by the Security Council or by the General Assembly, the Government of Pakistan shall sever all ties with the USA and, as a mark of protest, shall deny all logistic and other facilities to the USA within Pakistan,” it states.
According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal website, at least 13 drone strikes have been carried out in North and South Waziristan agencies since the PHC’s judgment, killing nearly 80 suspected militants, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
The issue of drone strikes was also discussed recently during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US.
Additionally, Amnesty International released a report last month stating the US is committing ‘war crimes’ and should stand trial as several innocent people have been killed by drones.
Since the PTI government took charge in K-P, it has reiterated many times that it would block Nato’s supply trucks going through the province to Afghanistan, but no concrete steps have been taken as yet. However, in the wake of Hakimullah’s death, PTI chief Imran Khan announced his party would introduce resolutions in the provincial and national assemblies to block Nato supplies, basing his decision on the PHC’s April judgment.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2013.