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Pakistani court rejects petition against US drones

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Sept 5, IRNA -- Pakistan’s top court has dismissed a petition, seeking action against the American drone attacks in the country’s tribal regions.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled the matter relates to defense and foreign affairs and does not come under the domain of judicial proceedings.

“Intervention in the matter will be violation of constitution and law,” short order by the apex court said.

The petition has prayed the court to direct the Federal Government to command the armed forces to defend Pakistan against external aggression, in a reference to the attacks by American spy aircraft.

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and Justice Ameer Hani Muslim ruled out that the issues raised in the Constitution petition and the prayer made are relatable to matters of foreign policy, defence and security of the country.

The US drones routinely fire missiles into Pakistan’s Waziristan tribal region despite strong opposition by the government.

The US says that the CIA-controlled covert campaign is aimed at targeting suspected militants in Waziristan who are blamed for cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.

Pakistan and tribesmen insist that the drones also kill civilians. Residents say that drones have spread psychological stress among the children as spy aircraft fly over the area before the strikes and create panic.

A group of lawyers had filed the petition in the Supreme Court, which said that the US drones are violating sovereignty of Pakistan and their attacks must be stopped.

The counsel for the petitioner told the court that US drone attacks are also violation of international laws.

The bench observed that such issues are neither justiceable nor they fall within the judicial domain for interference under Article 199 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani maintained that the interference by the courts in this matter would be violative of one of the foundational principles of the Constitution, which envisages a trichotomy of powers between the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.

**1424