Pakistan agrees with drone targets, not mechanism

We may not disagree with what drones are trying to achieve. We do not disagree with that. If they are going after terrorists, we do not disagree, maintained Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar while speaking at New Yorks Asia Society on Thursday, in the first public acknowledgment by any Pakistani official about the targets of drones.She, however, stressed that the manner in which these strikes were being carried out was unlawful and counter-productive. We have to find ways which are lawful, and which are legal, she argued while calling drone strikes the biggest reason for growing anti-Americanism in Pakistan.Unilateral drone strikes, she said, gave a reason to the Pakistani media and the public to say that the country was fighting Americas war. It has to be our war, because it is in our interest, she said while calling for the US and Pakistan to find a way out to handle the issue of drone strikes.Ms. Khar, citing negative effects of drone attacks, regretted that suicide attacks in Pakistan -- almost unknown in Pakistan before 9/11 -- had multiplied manifolds ever since the US had increased these unmanned aircraft strikes inside the Pakistani territory. Lets work to win the war, instead of these smaller battles, she opined.She, though, declined to respond to another question about an article appearing in Wall Street Journal suggesting that drone strikes were being carried out with tacit approval of the Pakistan officials. I dont take news items seriously. I have learnt it the hard way, she said with a wry smile.The foreign minister underlined the need for better relations with neighbouring countries -- India and Afghanistan -- and pledged full support to the reconciliation and reconstruction in the war-torn country. It is time to take a fresh start, and build wider trust, but it can never be one sided, she emphasized.We want to partner whatever government Afghan people choose, and have no favourites in Afghanistan. Too much assumptions are imposed on Pakistan, but peace and stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistans interest, she said cautioning that the terrorists sought to disrupt peace and stability in the region. We have to make sure that they dont succeed like they have in last few years, she pleaded.Our relations with India have been difficult for last many years, but we are now reaching out to them. Kashmir continues to be an issue, and we urge its resolution soon. Siachen and Sir Creek are other regional issues that require settlement, she outlined. On a positive note, she mentioned, trade list with India was changed from negative to positive and visa regime was eased in order to create inter-dependency instead of conflict.Ms. Khar said that Afghan transit trade agreement had been signed, and Pakistan was hoping for a similar agreement with Tajikistan because south and central Asia offered rich and untapped economic potential. The relationship with China and other neighbours was equally important, she pointed out.On the question of relations with United States, she agreed that the last couple of years had been difficult. Congress threats about withdrawing aid are not helpful, she said while adding that the US should not blame Pakistan for all the wrongs in Afghanistan because it created reaction. Our 24 soldiers were killed in air strike from across the border, should we blame NATO/ISAF forces for it? she questioned.The minister recalled that the US and Pakistan had fought the first Afghan war together. Americans changed priorities but Pakistan cannot change its borders and continues to suffer for the last 3 years, she grumbled. Lets admit that both of us have made mistakes and it is time to put it right. Because we have to fight this war together, she pointed out.On another question about Railways Minister, Ghulam Ahmad Bilours $100K bounty offer against the maker of controversial movie, she said these were Bilours personal views and the government did not condone any form of violence. Government and his own party have disassociated from his remarks. But there is also need to check actions that hurt sentiments of Muslims and any other religion, she remarked.- Contributed by Awais Saleem, Dunya News correspondent in New York