Nawaz Sharif criticizes US drone strikes in address to military officers

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday used his speech to military officers to criticize U.S. drone strikes following a recent drone attack that killed the Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud and ultimately scuttled peace talks with the militants.

Taliban say they will not hold talks hold with the government and will also take revenge of the killing of their leader.

Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan accused the U.S. of frustrating the government peace initiative with Taliban.

The U.S. says dialogue with the Taliban is Pakistan’s internal matter and that Pakistan and the US had a "shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence".

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not specifically mention the Friday’s attack but reiterated Pakistan’s stance against the drone attacks.

“The Government of Pakistan has made its position clear that (U.S.) drone strikes constituted a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and violative of international humanitarian laws,” Mr Sharif said.

He told military officers at the conclusion of exercises in Punjab province that the drone attacks are also counter-productive to the Pakistan’s efforts for bringing peace and stability in Pakistan and the region.  

Pakistan insists the drone strikes complicate the war on terror and spark anti-US sentiments however has not indicated any change in the CIA-control covert drone mission.

Senior Pakistani officials say the U.S. had earlier promised not to carry out drone attacks during the talks with the Taliban but now they say Washington has did not fulfill its commitment.

Taliban spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, says the group will not hold talks with the government as it has failed to stop drone strikes.

The Friday drone killed the Taliban chief when a group of top clerics, on behalf of the government, were scheduled to visit Waziristan tribal region to discuss agenda and venue for the proposed talks with the Taliban.

Prime Minister Sharif also reiterated his government policy to opt for dialogue despite the drone strike and said that economic development is closely linked to peace and security.  He recalled that top political leaders had unanimously underlined the imperative need of giving peace a chance at a govt-sponsored conference in September.

“My Government is firmly resolved to bringing the cycle of bloodshed and violence to an end, but it cannot be done over-night, nor can it be done by unleashing senseless force against our citizens, without first making every effort to bring the misguided and confused elements of society, back to the mainstream,” Mr Sharif said.

The Prime Minister stressed to ensure that the political parties, military, and civil society are on the same page, so as to create the enabling environment necessary to tackle the menace of terrorism.