ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday demanded of the United States to immediately stop its covert drone strike campaign inside its territory.
“Islamabad would chalk out its strategy and employ all resources to halt missile strikes”, advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security‚ Sartaj Aziz, told the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The advisor said that the government has conveyed serious concerns to the United States over drone strikes and it will continue to raise the issue at all the forums, adding that Pakistan is working seriously to bring an end to drone attacks.
In his policy statement, he told the house that 14 drone attacks were carried out in 2007‚ 34 in 2008, 49 in 2009, 115 in 2010‚ 62 in 2011 and 45 in 2012, and 13 drone attacks have been carried out so far in 2013.
He told the house that US Secretary of State John Kerry is likely to visit Pakistan next month and the issue will be raised with him.
“We want this issue to be resolved without getting provoked. We think the drone strikes are counter-productive in countering the terrorism. The strikes are in contravention of sovereignty and national integrity,” Sartaj Aziz said.
DND
