WEB DESK /
Pakistan on Friday warned United States that any future violation of its sovereignty by a drone strike by later would be detrimental to their ties.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the visiting US delegation that the May 21 drone strike was not only a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and breach of the principles of the United Nation’s Charter, but has also vitiated bilateral ties.
“It was emphasized that any future drone strike in Pakistan will be detrimental to our common desire to strengthen relations,” according to a statement issued by the Pak Foreign Office.
A US drone strike killed the Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in Balochistan as he was travelling in a car after crossing into Pakistan from Iran.
Sartaj was talking to US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson and Dr. Peter Lavoy, Senior Adviser and Director for South Asian Affairs at the National Security Council who met him here at the Foreign Office. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry also attended the meeting.
“Candid discussions” were held on bilateral relations, regional security situation and the Afghan peace process in the wake of May 21 drone strike in Balochistan, a statement from the Foreign Office said.
The Adviser expressed his concern that the drone strike had seriously undermined the ongoing efforts for Afghan peace and reconciliation process at a time when Pakistan, along with other Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) countries, was engaged in serious efforts to revive peace talks between Afghan Government and the Taliban.