LAHORE, Oct 25: Federal Defence Production Minister Rana Tanvir Hussain thinks it will not be prudent to shoot down drones though the country has the capability to do so.
“Pakistan has the capability to shoot down US drones but such decisions need thorough deliberation and it is not prudent to take the action (downing drones) right now,” he told the media after visiting a wireless communication equipment production unit here on Friday.
The minister was briefed on the production of wireless communication equipment in the country.
Rana Tanvir appreciated the effort made by the company and assured it of government’s patronage to get self-sufficiency in the field.
He told a questioner that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had talked to US President Obama on the drone issue and the results of the talks would be visible shortly. He said the prime minister’s US visit was successful as the nation would see its positive effects in the coming days.
Answering a question about the Abbottabad operation, the minister said: “Our radar system could catch anything but I don’t know why it could not trace US marines’ helicopter on that night (May 2, 2011).”
Commenting on the LoC tensions, he said the Indian prime minister’s statement deteriorated the situation in the region. He said the Indian leaders were showing Pakistan-phobia to take advantage of it in the general elections due next year.
He advised New Delhi not to heighten tensions on the LoC as it was damaging regional peace. He said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and wanted cordial relations with all neighbouring states.
About the delay in nominating the successor of army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the minister said no issue was involved in the posting of the next army chief as the decision would be taken on a seniority basis in due time.
