Pakistani senators condemn cross-border missile attacks
Written by Writer on Friday, October 24th, 2008
Pakistani senators condemn cross-border missile attacks
2008-10-24 (Beijing Time) xinhuanet
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) — Pakistani senators Friday expressed their serious concern and condemnation about Thursday’s cross-border missile attack in Pakistan’s tribal region, official Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
The members of the Senate urged the government to adopt a joint resolution condemning the incident, showing resolve and asking the armed forces to stand guard for security of the territory.
As many as 11 people were killed and many others injured in a suspected United States missile attack in Miran Shah in North Waziristan tribal area bordering Afghanistan, local newspaper The Nation reported Friday.
“The government has no two opinions on this issue. It stands by its previous stance of unexpectability of such violations. We have a principled stand since the Prime Minister took oath,” said Raza Rabbani, a Pakistan People’s Party politician and opposition leader in the Senate.
“I want to make it abundantly clear. The government would not allow anybody to violate its territorial integrity. We had strongly protested at the highest level and condemn this violation again,” Rabbani said.
The tribal regions in Pakistan have witnessed suspected missile attacks reportedly conducted by U.S. and coalition forces based in Afghanistan and Pakistan has repeatedly voiced its protest and condemnation about such attacks.
Rabbani said the government had been given assurances that violations would not be repeated. “But, it is unfortunate that despite assurances, violations continue and I on behalf of the government strongly condemn it.”
Earlier, Senator Khursheed Ahmed had drawn the attention of the government towards unwarranted strikes of the U.S. drones into Pakistan’s tribal areas.
He said since last two years, it was 67th across the border strike and 32 strikes occurred just during last seven months killing hundreds of people and injuring scores of others.
He also proposed to adopt a resolution condemning the incident, warning against violations and expression of firm resolve to protect Pakistan’s territory.
Senator Nisar Memon also condemned the incident on behalf of his party and said, it should be made clear in light of the consensus resolution adopted by joint sitting that no intrusion or invasion into Pakistan’s territory would be tolerated.
The members of Pakistan’s Senate met on Friday and expressed serious concerns over the suspected U.S. drone strike.
