A protest against U.S. drone attacks in Multan, Pakistan.

U.S. Should End Drone Attacks: There is a Better Way (The Nation, Pakistan)

"The three strikes on Friday alone killed 18 people and injured 14. Some may have been militants or their sympathizers, but the majority of the terrorized were ordinary citizens forced by the militants to give sanctuary. That the CIA should opt for this counterproductive 'weapon of choice' while the Obama Administration is engaged in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table reflects a confused and flawed approach to finding a solution to the Afghan imbroglio."

EDITORIAL

August 26, 2012

Pakistan – The Nation – Original Article (English)

Notwithstanding diplomatic entreaties Pakistan has made to the U.S. against the use of drones, including one on Thursday, the pilotless aircraft continue to attack Pakistan’s tribal region, even during the celebratory festival of Eid-ul-Fitr [the end of Ramadan, the month-long holiday the Quran says Mohammad received revelations from God].

The sharp escalation over the last few days, accompanied by futile protestations by the Foreign Office, make for a hopeless situation. The three strikes on Friday alone killed 18 people and injured 14. Some may have been militants or their sympathizers, but the majority of the terrorized were ordinary citizens forced by the militants to give sanctuary.

That the CIA should opt for this counterproductive “weapon of choice” while the Obama Administration is engaged in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table reflects a confused and flawed approach to finding a solution to the Afghan imbroglio.

One hopes that strategists in Washington will realize that paying heed to the growing hue and cry about the unsuitability of drones, which is taking on a global dimension, would do its image a lot of good. In the meantime, in his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Muazzam Khan maintained that Pakistan is in contact with U.S. officials at all levels to drive home to them the “unproductive (and) illegal” nature of drone attacks. The Pakistan-U.S. strategic dialogue is also due to take place this year.

Posted by Worldmeets.US

And rather than approaching the International Court of Justice. there are other opportunities available to settle the drone issue. Spokesman Khan denied there is any tacit understanding between the U.S. and Pakistan on drone strikes. Referring to the mutual recriminations over cross border raids from Afghanistan into Pakistan and vice versa, he said that the two sides are engaged in talks to settle the matter, adding that Pakistan was not involved with attacks inside Afghanistan.

Yesterday’s newspapers carried two reports: One of the death by drone of fugitive-militant Mullah Dadullah and leaders of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in Bajaur Agency, all of whom had escaped to Afghanistan's Kunar Province and were launching raids into Pakistan from that country; the other report offers an account of a cross-border raid into Bajuar killing two and injuring five.

According to a private TV channel, Pakistan has decided against launching full-scale military operations in North Waziristan Agency. If correct, it is a decision that will go a long way toward forestalling the flare-up of violent attacks on Pakistan territory by militants expecting to be targeted in the operation. Pakistanis have had enough of violence and badly need an end to this harrowing reality.

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