Pakistan condemns US drone strike in Shawal area
Attacks by unmanned American aircraft are deeply unpopular in Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The Government of Pakistan strongly condemned the US drone strike that took place in Shawal area, some 50 kilometres west of Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan on the night of July 28, 2013.
Four unmanned aircraft hovered above a village in Shawal before one fired two missiles at a compound just before sunset, killing at least six people and wounding three others.
"These unilateral strikes are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes." the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statment on Monday.
The ministry further said that the government has 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 mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Attacks by unmanned American aircraft are deeply unpopular in Pakistan, but Washington views them as a vital tool in the fight against Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants in the lawless tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has pledged a harder stance on the US regarding drone attacks though it is yet unclear how his administration would be able to force a termination of the programme.
The country has seen rising protests against the drone programme that has resulted into the killing of many innocent civilians, including women and children.
