Pakistan’s drones consent: FO says no details, all know govt view

Published October 25, 2013
Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry. — File photo
Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Responding to a question regarding a Washington Post report that the Pakistani government had been on board with regard to drone attacks, at least during the four-year period from 2007 to 2011, the Foreign Office spokesman said he did not want to go into details, adding that everyone was aware of the present government’s stance on these attacks, DawnNews reported.

FO spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said Friday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reiterated the country’s stance on drone strikes during his meeting with US President Barack Obama in his visit to America.

The FO spokesman said the US was also being pressured on the global and local levels to stop drone attacks.

Chaudhry said Prime Minister Sharif’s visit to America had been fruitful, adding that counter-terrorism, energy, trade and other matters of mutual interest were discussed with concerned officials during the trip.

Separately, the FO spokesman said America had no objections over the Pakistani government initiating a dialogue with militant organisations. On the contrary, it supported the talks, he added.

Prime Minister Sharif and President Obama had also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the two leaders agreed to support the reconciliation process in the war-torn country, the FO spokesman said.

Responding to a question regarding a meeting between Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh over ceasefire along the Line of Control, the disputed frontier in Kashmir, the FO spokesman said it was disappointing on India’s part to target 27 Pakistani check posts. He said that in the past few months, India had violated the ceasefire and killed a number of civilians.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry also said that Dr Shakil Afridi, the man who had helped the CIA track down former Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, had broken the country’s laws and that he would not be handed over to anyone. He added that the cases against Dr Afridi would be dealt as per Pakistan’s laws.

Opinion

Editorial

More ‘austerity’
09 Sep, 2024

More ‘austerity’

EVER since returning to power, the Shehbaz Sharif government has been pushing an austerity narrative like all...
Plastic menace
09 Sep, 2024

Plastic menace

PLASTIC pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, and its impact on...
Paralympics feat
09 Sep, 2024

Paralympics feat

FRIDAY brought another medal for Pakistan in Paris this summer; this time at the Paralympics. Haider Ali, with his...
Security challenges
Updated 08 Sep, 2024

Security challenges

It has been clear for a while that local populations in areas currently most affected by terrorism and militancy still do not want grand operations.
Irsa law changes
08 Sep, 2024

Irsa law changes

THE proposed controversial changes to the Irsa law, which aim to restructure the water regulator, will significantly...
Gaza polio campaign
08 Sep, 2024

Gaza polio campaign

AFTER 11 months of savage Israeli violence, Gaza’s health and sanitation systems have collapsed. As a result, the...