Drones again trample Pak sovereignty - Pakistan Observer

THAT the United States is least bothered to repair its fractured relationship with Pakistan has amply been confirmed by the latest drone attack in Miranshah in North Waziristan in which at least four people were killed and several others injured. As the attack came just in the midst of dialogue process between the two countries aimed at restoring their relationship to normal levels, one can safely presume that this is just one-way traffic from Pakistan side.

It is evident that the casualty version almost invariably comes from Western military, intelligence and media sources and there is always possibility of giving a particular twist to the relevant information. In this case too, the reports leaked to the media claimed that those killed were suspected militants who were using deserted building of a Girls Primary School as their den. However, even if this version is true and accepted then too there is hardly any justification for the United States to cross over from neighbouring Afghanistan, breaching Pakistan?s territory sovereignty and hitting targets deep inside the country. Everyone knows that the United States has not only latest surveillance system in place but also has a network of ground agents in place all over Pakistan as was revealed during episodes like Raymond Davis. Therefore, the logic demands that instead of trampling Pakistan?s sovereignty and killing people, which sparks anti-American sentiments all over the country, the United States should better communicate actionable intelligence to Pakistani forces, who are capable enough to take action against terrorists and militants. This is borne out by the fact that Pakistan has killed and apprehended more Al-Qaeda operatives during war on terror than combined successes of the allied forces. Similarly, Pakistan has also been urging the United States to transfer drone technology to the country so that action is taken by its own troops. Pakistan?s parliament has already demanded of the Government to take up the issues in right earnest with the United States and there should not be any compromise on this account.

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