ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that we have made it clear to the Obama administration that drone attacks are not acceptable under any circumstances as these are violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Pakistani premier, who is on a three-day official visit to Turkey to attend the 18th Pakistan-Afghanistan-Turkey trilateral summit, said this in an interview with Turkish Radio and Television in Istanbul.
Earlier this month, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam told reporters at her weekly press briefing in Islamabad said that Pakistan wants complete halt to the US drone attacks instead of decrease in them.
Her statement had come two days after the Washington Post published a report which stated that the US government has sharply curtailed drone strikes in Pakistan after Islamabad asked for restraint as it is set to begin peace dialogue process with the Taliban.
The FO spokesperson said that Pakistan’s stance over drone strikes is clear as these are in violation of its sovereignty and this stance has also been endorsed by the international community.
The prime minister further said that there was unanimity of views at the trilateral summit in Ankara that they all had to strengthen hands of the Afghan government. He said that the summit also agreed to ensure success of upcoming elections and a smooth transition from one government to another in Afghanistan.
Sharif said that peace in Afghanistan is vital for stability in Pakistan and the region, expressing hope that peace process in Afghanistan would deliver positive results.
To a question‚ he said that Turkey has a very special place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan and it has been his endeavour to forge a greater friendship with Ankara.
The prime minister said that his country is looking for more and more opportunities to get into joint partnership with Turkish business community. He added that Pakistan has invited Turkish companies to invest in Pakistan’s energy sector.
