ISLAMABAD: The head of a United Nations team investigating casualties from US drone strikes have concluded that the attacks violate Pakistan’s sovereignty.
In a statement released on Thursday, the UN special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism Ben Emmerson said the Pakistani government made clear to him it does not consent to the strikes. He said that Pakistani officials told him they have confirmed at least 400 civilian deaths by US drones.
Imtiaz Gul, a Pakistani analyst helping Emmerson’s team, said on Friday that he gave the UN investigator case studies of 25 strikes that allegedly killed civilians.
Emmerson’s statement arrived following his three-day visit to Pakistan that ended Wednesday.
US officials have disputed claims that drones have killed many civilians in Pakistan. They have also said Pakistan secretly consents to the strikes.
