News
Thursday, August 04, 2011
KP governor appreciates US envoy’s stance on drone attacks
Staff Report
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Masood Kausar on Wednesday appreciated the stance taken by US Ambassador in Pakistan Cameron Munter on the drone attacks in the Tribal Areas, describing it as, “A realisation of ground realities and an endorsement to Pakistan’s persistent position on the issue.”
In a statement, the governor said that the US envoy “realised the concerns” of the Pakistan government, as well as of the tribal people that were repeatedly conveyed to him in almost every meeting with him and other government officials.
A US wire service quoted Munter as suggesting to the then CIA chief Leon Panetta to stop drone attacks after Islamabad freed CIA official Raymond Davis who had killed two Pakistani nationals in Lahore early this year.
Kausar said the government had taken “a very firm stand” on the drone attacks. “The government’s policy is very clear in this regard. We consider it counter-productive in the war against terror because innocent tribesmen have been targeted in a number of such attacks,” the governor said.
He said the US ambassador also “understood the concerns” of the tribal people about these deadly attacks. “His views deserve all appreciation but these must be given weightage by the US administration as well,” the KP governor added.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk