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US drones attacks may lead to stand-off with Pakistan: minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, July 4, IRNA -- Pakistan has warned the United States that continuation of the drone attacks in the country’s tribal regions could lead to a direct stand-off between the two countries, the country’s Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said on Thursday.

Talking to reporters in Islamabad the minister said Pakistan has conveyed to the U.S. that this stand-off could have serious implication on its forces' withdrawal from Afghanistan and post withdrawal situation.

“The U.S. drone attacks are not only violation of Pakistan's sovereignty but are resulting in collateral damage‚ which are not acceptable at any cost,” Khan said.

The remarks came a day after an American spy aircraft fired missiles on a house and a vehicle in North Waziristan and killed at least 17 people. The Wednesday’s attack shows the US is in no mood to halt the strikes despite Pakistan’s public condemnation of the attacks.

Talking about internal security, the Interior Minister said the government has decided to convene a meeting of leaders of major political parties possibly on July 12 to formulate a comprehensive National Security Policy to bring peace and overcome menace of terrorism.

He said issue of possible dialogue with the Taliban will also be discussed in this meeting‚ which will also be attended by the heads of civil and military security agencies as the government is “determined to bring peace at all cost with the support of all stakeholders”.

He said issue of detention camps and missing persons will also be addressed in the National Security Policy.

He said 3 task forces have been formed to look into the issues of national security‚ missing persons and return of Pakistani woman Dr. Afia Siddiqi, who has been awarded over 80 years jail term by a New York court for firing at US soldiers in Afghanistan.

The interior minister said that it has been decided that none of foreigners or international agencies could directly interact with Pakistani officials without proper permission from the concerned authorities.

To a question‚ he said that investigations are heading in positive way in the killing of 10 foreign tourists in the country’s northern area. He hoped that the real culprits will be apprehended soon and brought to justice.

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