Drone strikes counter-productive, violate sovereignty of Pakistan. : FO

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Nafees Zakria on Thursday said that drone strikes are counter-productive and violate the sovereignty of Pakistan.

Responding to question during the weekly media briefing, the FO spokesman maintained that Pakistan’s policy is clear on this issue that such strikes are are counter-productive and violate the sovereignty of Pakistan.

The statement came just after a day when a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder jet shot down an Iranian drone – UAV – in Balochistan’s Panjgur District along the Pak-Iran border.

“Drone strikes are against Pakistan’s sovereignty,” the spokesperson asserted.

Zakaria maintained that Pakistan wants to work with the new United States (US) administration and gives importance to its relations with the US. Moreover, he said that Pakistan is taking action against all terrorist groups and would not allow its land to be used against any country.

On Pakistan-Afghanistan ties, Zakria said that Pakistan would welcome any delegation from Afghanistan visiting the country. “Two-way visits will help strengthening Pakistan-Afghanistan ties,” he opined.

Coming on missing Pakistani officials in Afghanistan, he said, “we are in contact with the Afghan government to rescue the consulate officials.”

He apprised the media that Afghanistan has constituted three teams to rescue the two diplomats who went missing on June 16 while returning to Pakistan.

Earlier today, Pakistan also told the United Nations Security Council that terrorist ‘safe havens’ are inside Afghanistan, not outside.