Pakistan condemns the US Drone Strike in Hangu

(2013-11-21)

The Government of Pakistan strongly condemns the US drone strike that took place in Tal area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district at 0445 hrs on 21 November 2013. These strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. There is an across the board consensus in Pakistan that these drone strikes must end.

The Government of Pakistan has been raising its concern over the drone strikes with the U.S. Administration and at the United Nations. The Prime Minister during his recent visit to the US had raised the issue with President Obama and other senior US leaders.

It has been consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive, entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications. Such strikes also set dangerous precedents in the inter-state relations.

These drone strikes have a negative impact on the Government’s efforts to bring peace and stability in Pakistan and the region.

Islamabad
21 November 2013

326/2013