ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that his government had not taken a casual approach in condemnation of drone strikes in the country and that the issue was raised at every forum, DawnNews reported.

In his address today, premier Sharif attempted to dismiss the allegations, published in some news reports that he said wrongly gave the impression that the government was not serious in condemning drone strikes and said that the drone attack that killed former chief of the proscribed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had left his administration’s preparation for peace talks in tatters.

Prime Minister Sharif stressed that there were no double standards regarding Pakistan’s policy on drone strikes and that the country had genuinely protested to the US on the issue.

“The government has always taken a forthright and genuine stance in condemning drone attacks. We condemn these acts from the core of our heart,” Sharif said.

He mentioned his meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington DC followed by a press briefing there in which he had clearly stated that drone strikes were unacceptable for Pakistan.

Regarding the Rawalpindi tragedy, Prime Minister Sharif said those involved in acts of terrorism and sectarian violence would be brought to justice. He added that loud speakers were being used wrongly to fan sectarian hatred and this misuse should be stopped.

While addressing the topic of security of judges hearing cases relating to terrorist attacks, the prime minister suggested that during the proceedings of such cases, judges could wear masks to conceal their identities for purposes of security and that people involved in acts of terrorism could be tried in different provinces in order to avert threats to the security of witness, prosecutors and judges.