Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said continuation of drone attacks in Pakistan could lead to a “direct standoff” between Pakistan and the United States.
“We have categorically conveyed to the US authorities through the ambassador that this standoff could have serious implications on withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as well as post-withdrawal scenario,” he told reporters at the ministry.
Nisar said drone attacks were not only violation of the country’s sovereignty but were also resulting in collateral damage that was not acceptable at any cost.
“The US must consider whether such attacks would be affordable for them. They will have to mend their ways they have been pursuing since the last seven years,” Nisar said.
The interior minister said the British government had not yet officially sought any input from the government regarding the case of Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain.
Nisar said the case against Altaf was being dealt by British authorities. “Pakistan is being updated by them.”
Regarding the initiation a trial against former president Pervez Musharraf under Article 6, Nisar said the special committee had started its work and the report would be produced before the Supreme Court.
Lauding the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army in its fight against terrorism, he said there was no conflict between the political government and the armed forces.
To a question, Nisar said the government had decided to convene a meeting of the heads of all political parties in parliament on July 12 to formulate a comprehensive national security policy to bring peace and overcome terrorism.
The interior minister said he would telephone all leaders and announce a final schedule of the meeting, adding that all chief ministers, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani and heads of all law enforcement agencies would also be invited to the meeting.
However, he said the formulation of national security policy was a complicated task and it might take sometime to finalise.
Nisar said three task forces had been formed to look into the issues of national security, missing persons and return of Dr Afia Siddiqui which would submit their reports within two weeks.
He said a wide ranging revamping would be done in all attached departments of the Interior Ministry and officers with good repute will be posted in the field to improve the situation.
The interior minister expressed his concern over the coup in Egypt and said democracy should flourish at any cost and that there must be rule of law.
To another question regarding law and order in Karachi and Balochistan, Nisar said the government had a clear policy on the issue and Frontier Crops and Rangers were working under the control of respective provincial governments which were responsible to maintain law and order.
However, he said all-out resources would be extended to the provincial governments to restore peace in troubled areas.
The minister said it had been decided that none of the foreigners or international agencies could directly interact with Pakistani officials without proper permission from the high ups.
To a question, he said investigation into the killing of foreign tourists was heading positively, hoping that the real culprits will be apprehended soon and brought to justice.
He said a special cell would be set up at the Federal Investigation Agency to protect human rights including overcoming harassment of women and children.