Khan responds to PM's statement saying govt is actually concerned not with isolation' but the 'assets stashed abroad'. PHOTO: FILE
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Imran reminded Nawaz that PML-N, along with the PPP had not only been a party to the Parliamentary resolutions (present and previous) against drones but also party to the anti-drone resolution in the Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa provincial assembly.
"In these resolutions the blockade of NATO supplies was specifically mentioned," the statement said.
"In addition, the PML-N convened the APC in which its government was given the mandate of commencing dialogue and ending drone strikes by the US in Pakistan."
The PTI chief pointed out that when he had asked the premier in the APC what would happen if the US sabotaged the peace process with a drone attack, he was assured that the government would take up the issue not only with the US but would also go to the UN.
The PML-N government has so far neither taken up the issue forcefully with the US nor moved the UNSC under Chapter VII where binding action is decided against aggression, Imran claimed.
Unfortunately, the PTI chief asserted, the PML-N is following the PPP’s duplicity on drones and deceiving the public by covertly supporting the US drone attacks.
Zardari’s speech on Friday also revealed the 'muk muka' (connivance) between the PPP and PML-N as both seek to protect their particularistic interests, especially financial ones lying overseas, Imran alleged.
The PTI chief pointed out that it is not “isolation” the PML-N and PPP are worried about but the security of their assets stashed abroad.
Imran said that leaders who keep their assets overseas cannot be expected to safeguard the interests of their people and secure their country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"PTI is committed to continuing its blockade of NATO supplies until the federal government gets a solid assurance from the US of an end to drone strikes.
"It is a matter of reasserting the nation’s sovereign dignity and self respect – without which no other nation will respect us. No nation is isolated because it asserts its right to its sovereignty, dignity and self respect."
The statement cited India's recent example of how sovereign nations must behave:
"A clear example of this is right in our neighbourhood where India asserted its sovereignty and became one of only three countries that opposed the passage of the CTBT resolution in the UNGA (Bhutan and Libya being the other two countries) in September 1996, yet no one said India was isolated."
"Pakistan is not isolated at all because of PTI’s opposition to drone attacks. In fact it is the US that is isolated on drone attacks including at the UN."
COMMENTS (40)
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What else can Imran do except abusing and accusing others.
The parties have different stance on the issue that is very sensitive and has been attached our country's sovereignty.The ways has been adopted by them leading to opposit directions..People of Pakistan have their serious concerned on it.
PTI blocked ground supply communications to the Amrican's allied forces has been staioned in Afghanistan since long and resulting in United States has compelled to some extend avoid dron aggression and stop playing with country'sovereignty.
On the other side,state depart took a stance that is not new it has stopped aid which has pressurised newly elected government to present its reservations in the pesent scenario .Both are firmly stand on their respectiv stance.
At the time,nation should see who is on the right side of the matter.As for as drone is concerned it is not acceptable at any cost because there is question of our sovereignty.We as a nation can not have bargain on it.
The party in power is talking about trade not aid,it must proceed with comprehensive economic planning and develoment and solve all the issues called federal subject.
IK is right. So far Nawaz Sharif has been quiet on the whole drones thing. Why? Its hard to understand why people think IK is siding with the Taliban when opposing drone attacks. Ignorant i guess.
Post-poll Sharif is as different from pre-poll Sharif as pre-partition subcontinent from post-partition subcontinent. He openly used to call for Nato blockade before elections so that he could conduct his election campaign safely. There has to be someone to stand his ground.
As a Mohajir, I fully support the USA on the drone attacks. Good job USA, the Mohajirs are with you, keep it up.
Pakistan should be grateful to India not signing the CTBT in 1996.Becuase Pakistan put condition that if India would sign then India,India never signd and Pakistan also enjoyd that liberty and soverignity.
Khan Bhai pehley polio workers ko to security de do.. baad mein drone giratay rehna!
@Major Iqbal Is opposing drones equivalent to supporting Taliban? What will you do if india start conducting these drone strikes?
Unfortunately some people still support drones despite innocents are getting killed.
How naïve....?
IK is overtly supporting the Taliban and right wing religious extremists.
The opposition to the drone attacks and the ways to stop them was discussed in the APC meeting called by the PMLN. Now when Imran Khan has taken the initiative in the direction of stopping the drone attacks, both PMLN and PPP and their straggler parties are raising objections. This only goes to show the insincerity of both the PMLN and PPP in taking part in the APC in the first place. Nawaz Sharif called the APC just to show to the people of Pakistan that he was against the drone attacks and got all the political parties on a common platform. Having achieved that, dishonest as he and his party, and PPP are, he adopted a passive posture and showed absolute inactivity. In fact he never wanted to actively pursue the matter. It is always a political necessity to follow a decided course of action to show ones passion and commitment to the decision one has taken.But what Nawaz Sharif and the PPP did was to sit back. Their job was done.They never wanted to do anything more. There are two explanations for this behavior 1). Either they had already informed the U.S.A of their non seriousness in calling the APC or 2. U.S.A was part of this drama which is unlikely. Now when Imran Khan has taken the initiative in pursuing the resolution, both the parties are objecting to the very resolution to which they were a party. Imran Khan should be very careful. He is dealing with two ruthless, hard boiled parties who are less of politicans but more kabza groups.. They wills stop at nothing. For the sake of their convenience, they have not even found Benazir's killers nor have arrested anyone of corruption, or taxed the rich. What both the crooked parties have done is that they have definitely harmed the lives of the poor Pakistanis. .
I fail to understand why people asssociate IK with the Taliban. He is only trying to give peace a chance. His stance is clear: if the Taliban don't come to terms with the state, military action seems to be the only way out then. Not to mention PPPP, PMLN and other political giants also signed on the resolutions of the APC. Why blame PTI only then? He is only standing up to his oath...Which the other parties are not doing: talk about double standards. Why does ET not publish my comments?
@Tariq: Yup he's living on Earth. However I cant say the same for most people in this country.
A love triangle between Imran, Nawaz, and TTP.
It is a pity that our people are brainwashed by media and our so called political leaders which are brought to power and paid by America to get things done American way by these stooges.
Did Buzdil Khan utter a single word of condolence for the victims of recent attack on the polio team? Did the Provincial CM say anything?
You got fooled by Ch. Nisar's drama and tears in the assembly. After the APDM disaster, you stated never to trust PMLN again. How it was different this time? Never forget that PMLN excels the art of fraud and deceit.
I wonder if IK and PTI ever going to forcefully demand and dharna about the Abbottabad Commission Report? If we honestly want the truth regarding the presence of terrorists and drone attacks we have to demand all the facts in open. However, these leaders whose families live in luxury and know nothing about the culture, languages and religion would never demand all the facts out in the open. Let there be no secrets as to who gave away the air force bases and who allowed these drone attacks and what was paid in the beginning? IK do not stop your agitation till Abbottabad Report is fully published.
IK should be ware of the fact that the Prime Minister of Pakistan is not free to act in matters of security and foreign policy, but shares it with the sstrong Pkistan military!! This was arranged when the military handed over the control of the Government to the Peoples party.
Rex Minor
@Major Iqbal:
Not sure what they will do to Imran. But what they will do to the majors is pretty clear--just read the book "Charlie Wilson's War".
Bon chance!
@Tariq:
IK is living on a different planet
Yes, it is called planet HONESTY, where notions extinct on planet PMLN such as patriotism, morality, truthfulness, transparency, etc. are still alive. Does that answer your question, Confucius?
Imran khan is right.
And I am ALSO SHOCKED that PTI/IK cannot ever use the words "TTP" and "Terrorists" in the same sentence! We all should realize that the tens of thousands of Pakistanis killed, maimed, and orphaned by "our brothers" really don't matter to the PTI/IK! As for Drone Strikes, those will end when Pakistan does something about those world famous "Safe Havens" in FATA where the "sovereignty" of Pakistan does not exist!
Imran is the only leader who has achieved some of his promises, he helped the disabled, he has stopped drone strikes (to some extent). He has not even lied to the people of KPK. Imran is the only true leader of pakistan. Main Saab, where are the economic explosions you were talking about?
Imran Khan has publicly taken a principled stand on drone attacks. Government and its allied political parties are on a weak and apologetic wicket. History time and again reminds us that 'slaves' neither are in a position to take any principled stand nor they can defend even their own families, but Pakistanis are expecting defence from foreign aggression. This is a childish desire on the part of Pakistanis.
Only leader who is living up to all he promised in the elections. PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN rejected PPP/ANP mindset and voted in PTI/PML-N because they promised a new approach against the menace of terrorism. While PML-N has unsurprisingly given-in to its foreign masters and following the same failed trajectory as of PPP, only PTI is standing on its promised stance. This is democracy, this is living upto people's mandate. Giving a yearly mouth-frothing speech waving around pictures of yester leaders doesn't bring democracy nor does it solve real problems. Thank you, Khan!
Thank you Imran for your clear and firm stand unlike confused and hypocrite leaders pandering to their western masters.
The only Pakistani leader who dares speak for the country's sovereignty. India also regularly complains about across-the-border elements - Would you allow them to carry out similar drone attacks? Yes or No. If No, then why happy allowing US to do the same?
Keep going Imran! We truly appreciate your stance...
PTI and Imran Khan are the legit representatives of the nation .
If Nawaz has any honor , he should just resign along with his whole government
Pakistan is not isolated at all, and US and Europe are not equivalent to the "international community."
There is China, India, Iran, and all of Asia
And you IK are openly supporting the Taliban.
@Tariq: He lives on a planet where people have some sense of morality and dignity. To all those who love the drone program so much and will even sell their souls to see a few dollars thrown there way.... If a "terrorist" was identified living in the house next to yours and a drone fires missiles destroying the house and along with it yours (killing your entire family - god forbid) That would be ok with you because the country is still getting US dollars and we are not "isolated".. Its easy to pass comments like tariq as long as its not your loved ones who are dying ...
@Major Iqbal: Your dream will never come true. This country is not for the Taliban those have soft cornor or support for the Taliban they should be open and clear,they should not act like a HYPOCRAT.
These are Noora promises Imran. they will keep saying this but will do nothing. They are PPP part 2 as Zardari speech proved it.
Fully agree'd with Imran Khan. PMLN has taken no steps to stop drones. They have adopted same policy as PPP: Tell US you can keep doing them while we will continue condemning them.
They are ofcourse supporting them. What concrete steps did they take after coming into fed government? When PPP was in govt, PMLN was willing to do long march to stop drones!
What is wrong with the official statement?.When IK stopped NATO's supply that was clear enough that he oppsed more than 40 European countries and that would be a great setback to Pakistan's economy,if any sane person in PTI understands the gravity?. Secondly, giving example of India which refused to sign CTBT in 1996 is abosolutely not matching with the existing circumstances in Pakistan.CTBT was a treaty and it was only America's desire that treaty to be signed not by EU.
IK is living on a different planet
I wonder what the Taliban will do to Imran when they takeover Pakistan?