Pakistan says U.S. drone strikes on its soil a violation of sovereignty

Record ID: 896610

  • Title: Pakistan says U.S. drone strikes on its soil a violation of sovereignty
  • Date: 22nd June 2017
  • Summary: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (JUNE 22, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, ARRIVING FOR WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING REPORTERS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, SAYING: "Our position on the drone strikes is very clear. I think you said a part of it, that how Pakistan takes it and I think we have said this time and again that such drone attacks are always counter-productive. They violate the sovereignty of Pakistan and we do not really accept that." REPORTER WRITING IN NOTEBOOK (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, SAYING: "The Reuters report that appeared in the newspapers... as you know, we do not comment on media reports. However, I would nevertheless like to note that Pakistan attaches importance to its relationship with the United States which is long-standing and encompasses cooperation in various fields. We firmly believe that continued close cooperation between our two countries is critical for promoting peace and security in the region and beyond." REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, SAYING: "We are in contact with the government of Afghanistan for the safe and early recovery of two diplomatic staff, who were abducted while they were travelling from Jalalabad to Islamabad. The Afghan government has informed us that they have constituted three special investigation teams to locate and recover the missing officials. We hope and pray that the missing officials would be safely recovered at an early date." REPORTERS SEATED
  • Embargoed: 6th July 2017 16:08
  • Keywords: Islamabad drones United States Afghanistan foreign minister Zakaria
  • Location: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • City: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016MD2LVR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Pakistan's foreign ministry on Thursday (June 22) said the use of drone strikes on its soil is a violation of the country's sovereignty, after U.S. officials reportedly suggested Washington would ramp up drone strikes inside Pakistan as part of its new policy for fighting the war in Afghanistan.
    The condemnation came a day after Pakistan said it had shot down an Iranian drone near its southwestern border.
    Washington claims Islamabad provides safe havens for the Afghan Taliban and other militants opposed to the U.S.-backed government in Kabul, something Pakistan strongly denies.
    Nafees Zakaria, spokesman for the Pakistan Foreign office, criticized the drone strikes in response to a Reuters news article quoting anonymous U.S. officials.
    There have been three reported drone strikes on Pakistani soil this year, though none have been confirmed by either the United States or Pakistan.
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