The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) moved the Senate on Monday to discuss the implications of the US drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Balochistan.
Senator Farhatullah Babar submitted an adjournment motion in the House to discuss the ‘security calculus in the region and implications of extending drone strikes to Balochistan’ brought into focus by the killing of Mansour.
“The issue will alter the security calculus in the region while extending drone strikes to Balochistan, already reeling with insurgency and militancy, has posed new threats to national security and sovereignty,” the motion stated.
“If the reports of Mullah Mansour being eliminated are correct it means that five years after OBL was killed by the US from a sanctuary in Abbottabad cantonment, a Taliban leader Mullah Mansour whose existence on our soil has been denied was also killed on Pakistani territory by the US.
“This strengthens the perception that elements in the state are harboring militants, the motion says and warns that such a perception will “give new ammunition to forces inimical to Pakistan.”
The motion says even if Mansour has not been killed, a drone strike in Balochistan itself sets a dangerous precedent for an escalation against the ‘red lines’, reportedly set long ago.
“Even those who have no sympathy for the militants are deeply concerned by it. Reports that Pakistani was informed well before the drone strike has further complicated the situation and added to the gravity and urgency of the matter,” said Babar.
Senator Babar also outlined what he said were “several disturbing aspects” related to the incident.
The passport photograph of the person killed resembles Mansour, but documents identify him as Muhammad Wali, a resident of Qila Abdullah in Balochistan with a second address in Karachi.
Muhammad Wali’s body was reportedly hastily released to Muhammad Rafiq, a young man claiming to be his nephew, without confirming his identity, claimed Babar.
Apart from a dangerous rise in volatility, it signals a readiness to target Taliban commanders deep inside Pakistani territory even though the Afghan Taliban have not yet been named as ‘terrorist group’, the motion said.
“Juxtaposing this incident with Sartaj Aziz’s recent candid admission, that Pakistan provided shelter and support to Taliban commanders, has given rise to serious questions which the parliament cannot ignore,” Babar said.
