ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials on Monday condemned the US for carrying out its first drone strike in the country since parliament demanded they end two weeks ago.
The foreign ministry issued a statement, saying the strike which killed three suspected militants in the North Waziristan tribal area on Sunday “are in total contravention of international law and established norms of interstate relations”.
“The government of Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone attacks are violative of its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” it said.
But Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani struck a moderate tone on Monday when he seemed to link the strikes to the continued ability of militants fighting the government.
He pointed out that the resolution passed by parliament also stipulated that foreign fighters must be expelled from the country and Pakistani soil should not be used to attack other countries.
“So, when we plan a strategy (with the US), all these aspects would be discussed,” he said.
A Pakistani intelligence official said the most recent strike seemed to be a message from the US.
“It’s a message that things are going to continue as usual irrespective of what we say,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity It’s not the first time the US has ignored Pakistan’s parliament, which has called for the drone strikes to end since 2008. President Barack Obama significantly ramped up strikes in Pakistan when he took office in 2009.
Drones are not the only issue complicating Pakistan’s decision to reopen the Nato supply lines the country closed after a US border air attack killed at least 24 Pakistani soldiers.
Pakistan’s parliament has also demanded that the US provide an ‘unconditional apology’ for the deaths of the Pakistani troops in November. The US has expressed regret, but has declined to apologise – a decision that appears to be driven by domestic political considerations. The US has said its troops fired in self-defense – a claim disputed by Pakistan – and the White House could be concerned about Republican criticism if it apologises.—AP
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