PESHAWAR, Nov 21: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Thursday condemned the US drone attack in the province’s settled area of Thall, Hangu district and declared the US drone strikes an attack on sovereignty and integrity of the country.

He also demanded Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz to explain position to

the nation about his recent policy statement that Americans had assured Pakistani government of halting drone strikes.

According to a handout issued here, the chief minister said due to the ill-conceived foreign policy of the federal government, the US drone strikes being continuously carried out in the tribal areas had been extended to settled areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which was an open violation of sovereignty of the country.

He said drone strike was an aggression against Pakistan on part of the US.

Mr Khattak said the drone strikes were a direct attack on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and democracy and that the Hangu attack had proved wrong and false all the tall claims of the US about democracy.

He said the drone strikes in the settled areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not tolerable anyhow and that it would be deemed as a declaration of war against the democratic government.

The chief minister demanded that the federal government clarify its stand and policy on the issue.

Also in the day, Jamaat-i-Islami, coalition partner of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, condemned the Hangu drone attack.

A news release issued here said the federal government should order Pakistan Air Fore to shoot down the US drones.

It said the Hangu attack was a clear indication that US drones could carry out attack anywhere in Pakistan.

The release said JI workers would actively participate in the Nov 23 sit-in on Ring Road in Peshawar.

It said JI central general secretary Liaquat Baloch would lead the protest.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.