Saturday, June 06, 2009

DTN News: Pakistan Wants Drones’ Technology And Possession: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani

DTN News: Pakistan Wants Drones’ Technology And Possession: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
(NSI News Source Info) LAHORE - June 6, 2009: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that government is strongly against drone attacks as the same are against our national sovereignty and counter productive. Talking to newsmen at foundation laying ceremony of Aiwan-e-Quaid-i-Azam here on Saturday, he said, “ We are strongly opposed to attacks by unmanned planes as these run counter to our strategy of segregating peace loving tribal people and militants.” He said government and military are pursuing a strategy of separating tribal people and militants, but attacks by these unmanned flying machines create sympathies for those challenging writ of the government. He said, “ We have asked US to provide technology and possession of drones so that in case of credible intelligence we can ourselves take action.” The Prime Minister said the impression that drone issue was not taken up by Pakistan with US was totally wrong and misleading as during recent visit of US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Hallbrooke,when he raised the matter of drone attack, he (Mr Hallbrooke) said similar views were expressed by Mian Nawaz Sharif during meeting with him. To a question about civilian nuclear technology offers by France and US he said, “We have talked to France in this regard and US has also made offer. US has already civilian nuclear deal with India and they think that Pakistan should also be given the facility.” To another question, he said “acquisition of peaceful nuclear technology is every country’s right and Iran also has full right in this regard.” Regarding NFC Award, he said , it has been constituted and soon its meeting would be held adding “Resources among the provinces under the NFC award would be distributed as per their satisfaction.” When asked as to when Swat operation would be over, he said it was not a conventional war and government wants its conclusion as soon as possible so that people could go back to their homes. To a question about reaction of India over release of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed on court orders and Indian external affairs minister’s statement regarding terrorism, he said “It is their view point.However, there is some lacunae in laws and legislation has to be carried out to deal more effectively with elements committing crimes in other countries.It is parliament which has to decide whether or not carry out legislation in this regard”.

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