ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to formally lodge its protest on US drone attacks in its restive tribal belt in the UN General Assembly session next month, Special adviser to the Prime Minister on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said.
As many as 400 civilians have been killed in 339 US drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal belt since 2004, the federal government told the National Assembly earlier in the week.
In a policy statement in National Assembly on Friday, Aziz said the US attacks violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and international laws.
“A breakthrough is expected on the issue of US drone strikes in the coming months,” Aziz said.
The advisor said that Pakistani leaders in their forthcoming meetings with US authorities will ask them to stop drone strikes as they were counterproductive, adding that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had also supported Pakistan’s stance on the issue.
Aziz said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was expected to hold a meeting with US president in New York next month.
Commenting on Pakistan’s relation with US, Aziz said that the US only insisted on cordial relations when they wanted something and returned to give a cold response when the purpose was fulfilled.
“Our government has successfully made US Secretary of State John Kerry realise that Pakistan-US relations should not be seen through the Afghanistan lens,” Aziz said.
The adviser further said Pakistan and the US have agreed to resume strategic dialogue early next year.
