New Delhi: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan is determined to root out terrorism and extremism but US drone strikes are not the answer as they are counterproductive.
Sharif while addressing a luncheon he hosted for ambassadors of European countries, said, “You are fully aware of the counterproductive impact of the continuing drone strikes.” “We are fully engaged in sensitising the international community about the impact of these attacks and persuading it to find ways and means to curb terrorism that are not counter-productive.”
According to the official statement, Sharif said his government is determined to rid Pakistan of terrorism and extremism. He said that the problem of terrorism is complex and rooted in the events of the past three decades, “having global, regional and local dimensions”.
Sharif said, “We believe that the best way to deal with these challenges is through national consensus, which we are generating through various forums including the All-Parties Conference and parliamentary resolutions.”
Islamabad has opposed the use of the pilotless spy planes by saying that these drones have killed innocent people. The CIA-operated drone campaign, which has eliminated several top Taliban and Al Qaeda commanders, has emerged as a key irritant in Pakistan-US relations.
Sharif said one of Pakistan’s foremost foreign policy priorities is to have good neighborly, friendly and cooperative relations “with all our neighbours including India, based on mutual respect and esteem”.
Pakistan is also looking to deepen its cooperation with European partners in key areas like trade, investment, energy, infrastructure, education and human resource development.
Bureau Report
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