At UN, Pakistan demands immediate cessation of illegal drone strikes

E-Paper | July 09, 2026

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan on Saturday demanded an immediate cessation of drone strikes in its territory at United Nation terming it a violation of "territorial integrity and sovereignty of states".

Pakistan's Permanent Representative to United Nations (UN) Dr Maleeha Lodhi told the UN General Assembly that the extraterritorial use of armed drones or remotely-piloted aircraft is a violation of international and humanitarian laws.

Dr Lodhi highlighted recognition by member states of the notion that counter-terrorism measures violating territorial integrity and sovereignty of states can be counterproductive and also fuel violent extremism.

Last month, Pakistan urged the UN Human Rights Council to respond to loss of lives, human rights violations and breach of its territorial sovereignty because of drone attacks.

Speaking at a meeting of the council in Geneva, Pakistan’s permanent representative Tehmina Janjua had pointed out that the drone strikes were also a violation of the UN charter and international law, including human rights and humanitarian law.

Janjua had asked the international community and the HR Council to take notice of human rights violations taking place as a result of illegal drone strikes in the country.

Also Read: US drone strikes in Pakistan see 631pc increase under Obama

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Umer

Jul 02, 2016 05:55pm

This is what Imran Khan said long ago to raise this issue at international forum.

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Khorasan87

Jul 02, 2016 05:57pm

Then USA will cease all his economical and military support to Pakistan. Don´t push too hard otherwise USA will 100% isolate Pakistan. Pakistan is putting all his eggs in one basket. Dangerous move.

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Kiran

Jul 02, 2016 06:01pm

What use? U have given permission to US to enter into your airspace.In return they help you with funds.If drones are stopped they will resort to some other method.

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Black Dove

Jul 02, 2016 06:00pm

Whatever happened to "We are capable of defending our territory"?

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SAEED MASOOD

Jul 02, 2016 06:05pm

This is the right attitude, Pakistan must raise the drone issue at UNO and other world forums...immediately little favour will come because most of the countries are jealous of Pakistan...China should come even more strongly for Pakistan.

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Jul 02, 2016 06:05pm

Self respect is more than total death

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Get Real

Jul 02, 2016 06:07pm

That's one part of the story...the reason for drone strikes to be ordered is still not answered. Who is guaranteeing that no global terrorist will be found on Pakistani soil? Logically that question will come up!

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ample reverence 4 KSA & Pak Army

Jul 02, 2016 06:08pm

@Umer He also said that otherwise we will shoot it down....bravo

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Akram

Jul 02, 2016 06:09pm

Why did we give Shamsi airbase to US air force?

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Spoiled

Jul 02, 2016 06:12pm

Ms Lodhi, Are you aware of the deal between our Military and US, They don't attract any country without any pact

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Aditya

Jul 02, 2016 06:12pm

These issues are resolved on border not in UN.

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Optimistic Pakistani

Jul 02, 2016 06:17pm

@Kiran there is no permission for drones and the funding is peanuts compared to the massive losses our army is bearing in terms of losses of life and materials.

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Zak

Jul 02, 2016 06:18pm

@Umer he is real leader PTI and of pakistan.

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Zak

Jul 02, 2016 06:19pm

@Khorasan87 worry about yourselves, now that US is your new found friend.

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Random

Jul 02, 2016 06:19pm

Dr Maleeha Lodhi is indeed a great diplomat.

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timetostopthis

Jul 02, 2016 06:21pm

The drones strikes have been agreed with your leaders.

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Zak

Jul 02, 2016 06:22pm

Fire up the PAF with orders to shoot down the drones. Problem solved. Defend own sovereignty and you will get respect. UN is powerless to do anything.

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Zak

Jul 02, 2016 06:20pm

@Black Dove we will defend it against our one enemy to east but US is friend and ally. We talk to them, when they don't listen, as last resort we go to UN in international forum. US will know, like our arab brothers found out, friendship does not mean taking advantage of ones hospitality and softness.

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Zafar Ahmed

Jul 02, 2016 06:22pm

@Khorasan87 Enough is enough and now we should try to stand up on our own feet .

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Sodiq

Jul 02, 2016 06:25pm

Why Taliban leader was in Pakistan and carried a Pakistani passport? If terrorists lack safe heavens in Pakistan there is no need of drones.

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Zafar Ahmed

Jul 02, 2016 06:26pm

@Kiran We are beggars and that is why we obey the orders from the donars

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Houlbelat

Jul 02, 2016 06:27pm

Must appreciate

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Zia

Jul 02, 2016 06:29pm

And then what? Just copy paste effort. Pity for the representatives. What can they do without a foreign policy, without a foreign minister, without a prime minister and without a structured/ organized government.

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Tamil Guru

Jul 02, 2016 06:30pm

Gen Musharraf signed up for drone strikes and sacrificed sovereignty.

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Krishna gopal

Jul 02, 2016 06:35pm

Alqeda leader enter Pakistan and do their activities, isn't it breach of Pakistan's sovereignty,

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Basit Ali

Jul 02, 2016 06:36pm

Lets see if anyone listens ...its now the question of nations ego

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Kashmir

Jul 02, 2016 06:39pm

defence pact with Russia coming up?

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Ravi Vancouver

Jul 02, 2016 06:41pm

@Sodiq Drone strikes by US not required in Pakistan if safe heavens in Pakistan to terrorists are not available. Present action by Pakistan army against terrorists is commendable, I hope they don't spare any terrorist or terror group. No doubt drone strikes are violating the sovereignty, even terrorists from foriegn countries are also doing the same and killing innocent Pakistanis too.

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Kamran

Jul 02, 2016 06:56pm

Way to go Maleeha Lodhi! The whole Pakistan is with you!

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Tejaswi Sharma

Jul 02, 2016 06:58pm

Why you are going every time to UN. Just blow those drones out.

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ali

Jul 02, 2016 07:00pm

Truly Pakistan should have demanded large monetary compensation for each of the innocent men, women and children killed in these illegal drone attacks.

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Prasad

Jul 02, 2016 07:08pm

Unless Pakistan allows it, how come drones are flying in?

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Guruji

Jul 02, 2016 07:08pm

@Zak : You forgot; Pakistan does not have technology to notice or track drones.

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Sami wahab

Jul 02, 2016 07:11pm

Weed out your lovely nurtured good terrorists first and speak of violations of international law later. Keep your house in order.

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Tamil

Jul 02, 2016 07:12pm

Quick realization I must say

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Wise_man

Jul 02, 2016 07:21pm

Am i missing something here? Govt. of Pakistan has allowed for shamsi airfield to be used by USAF and you are going to UN complaining not to use drone strikes? As a sovereign state can't you not just ask for USAF to leave?

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Sympathiser

Jul 02, 2016 07:26pm

Well, she is right in what she is saying....

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Singh

Jul 02, 2016 07:32pm

But that will result in immediate suspension of AID..

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gopa

Jul 02, 2016 07:35pm

All the talk of sovereignty has flown out of the window the moment you have allowed terrorists from all over the world, including OBL.

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A Shah

Jul 02, 2016 07:37pm

Shoot them down then.

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Sunil

Jul 02, 2016 07:36pm

Iran shot down US drones, so why not Pakistan? Shooting down drones will anger US, and the relations already sour.

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Raja Hindustani

Jul 02, 2016 07:41pm

Drones can't be operated inside pakistani territory without knowledge/permission of political or military authority of pakistan.

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javed

Jul 02, 2016 07:40pm

The term 'illegal drone strikes' suggests there must be some legal ones too!

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AdHawk

Jul 02, 2016 07:43pm

Unfortunately for Pakistan, U.S. doesn't ask for U.N. permission. And since a big chunk of the U.N. funding comes from Capitol Hill,

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VEN

Jul 02, 2016 07:42pm

Stop overt & covert support for all terrorists,then the need for drone strikes does not arise.

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VEN

Jul 02, 2016 07:43pm

No terrorists, no drone strikes.

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ajit kundu

Jul 02, 2016 07:44pm

but you requested to drone ttp leadership in afganistan

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Objective View

Jul 02, 2016 07:48pm

I would like to think that the US has explicit approval from the Government of Pakistan to use drones. If this is not the case then shame on Pakistan that it has taken it so long to protest. If the drone strikes are without premission then PAF, if it's worth its salt, should be shooting them down. About time to come clean on the issue, th government should either say they have given the US premission or show to the people that they can protect them by shooting down these drones....

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Jul 02, 2016 07:56pm

Why take the issue at UN? The matter is very simple: the issue is between Pakistan and US, so why not take up the matter directly with the US; why with the third party?

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Dr. Salaria, Aaminr Ahmad?

Jul 02, 2016 08:00pm

A legitimate, legal, moral, lawful, ethical, licit and genuine demand by Maleeha Lodhi. However in the corridors of power at Washington D.C. where the centuries old jungle law of "might is right" prevails, who cares?

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Zeeshan Ali Khan

Jul 02, 2016 08:03pm

Pakistan should accidentally shoot down one time... this drone

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AKKS

Jul 02, 2016 08:17pm

@SAEED MASOOD, "This is the right attitude, Pakistan must raise the drone issue at UNO and other world forums...immediately little favour will come because most of the countries are jealous of Pakistan...China should come even more strongly for Pakistan." Could you please enlighten ignorant me as to why anyone should be jealous of Pakistan?

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luuke furtado

Jul 02, 2016 08:27pm

When you take money in the form of 'military aid' from the US , you have basically compromised your sovereignty......

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Shyam

Jul 02, 2016 08:30pm

If you let terrorists to live and support in your country to attack other nations, nobody is going to care about your sovereignty. They have a god given right to protect their citizens.

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Ayub

Jul 02, 2016 08:47pm

All the drone attacks carried out by the US in Pakistani territory are always with the express and implied consent of the GOV

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Farhan

Jul 02, 2016 08:49pm

Madam need to ratify the agreements signed by Pakistan with NATO and US. We can not do double speak when we have done these agreements in past.

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Mohammad Khan USA

Jul 02, 2016 08:55pm

No doubt drone strikes are violation of teritoral integrity and soverinity but if the terrorists are given safe haven then there is nothing known as violation one has to kill a terrorist by any means otherwise he will kill you every drone attack becomes justified if a terrorist is kilked

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papa gee

Jul 02, 2016 08:59pm

Stop this stop that Pakistani leader don't want anything to as Long as attention is diverted and the general population is kept under dark.

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INDIAN

Jul 02, 2016 09:14pm

Clean your house and all those infringements will stop. And why take bilateral issue with UN? And where is Sartaj Aziz now with his diplomacy?

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Raaz

Jul 02, 2016 09:23pm

Nothing but eyewash for domestic consumption. If Pakistan is serious about drone strikes, complain strongly to USA.

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Marco

Jul 02, 2016 09:25pm

@SAEED MASOOD Weak response!!! Have guts to shoot those drones down? No one cRes for those who can't take care of themselves!!!

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Saint

Jul 02, 2016 09:27pm

@Khorasan87 that would be the best thing that will happen to Pakistan. We will stand on our own feet.

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Khurram Jadoon

Jul 02, 2016 09:38pm

Shoot them down and then talk, otherwise have faith in "one day of a Lion's life is better than hundred years of Jackal's life" and deal with it - no compromise on nation's pride, period.

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Mohammed Hund

Jul 02, 2016 09:47pm

Pakistan has capability to shoot down drones. Its time for the country to show the world our new might/power.

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Raja_India

Jul 02, 2016 11:30pm

USA already responded stating that if Drone attack is an issue; so as promoting non-state actor. Is not it?

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Ali kk

Jul 02, 2016 11:38pm

At last, we have dared to speak of such issues at the UN general assembly.

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Houlbelat

Jul 03, 2016 12:40am

@Houlbelat : What? Where is the matter for appreciation?

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Canada For Canadians

Jul 03, 2016 02:16am

@Dr. Salaria, Aaminr Ahmad? A bilateral issue cannot be raised in UN, as Pakistan did with India. Pakistan has to learn how to handle Bi-lateral issues .

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Sohail Wazir

Jul 03, 2016 02:47am

Drones are condemnable. And should must stopped. Otherwise we know how to get rid of it. We trust our army.

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Jul 03, 2016 08:25am

@Sohail Wazir ok try it

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