Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to raise drone issue with Obama

LONDON: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said he will tell President Barack Obama that drone attacks violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and independence and as an ally the US must immediately halt these attacks inside Pakistan. He said Pakistan had a clear policy on drone strikes.

Speaking to media persons here on his way to the US, Nawaz said: “There is no illusion about this policy; we believe drones challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty. We consider drone strikes as an attack on our independence; these attacks go against Pakistan’s interests. This should stop.”

The premier said during his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, he was able to present Pakistan’s viewpoint before the world in a clear and candid manner and “the same position of clarity and openness will be adopted during our talks with the Obama administration”.

He condemned the killing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf legislator and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Israr Gandapur. He said the decision to hold talks with the Taliban had been taken during the recently held All Parties Conference (APC).

“It was not just one party’s decision but what has followed since is regrettable. Problems occur soon after talks begin. There are attacks, the dialogue stops and the whole confidence level is shaken,” said Nawaz Sharif, almost confirming officially that there had been some level of contact with the Taliban.

He appealed to the Taliban to think about what they want to do about the peace talks but held that “the dialogue process must be carried forward seriously”.

When asked if he will raise the issue of Kashmir with the Obama administration, Nawaz said he will tell President Obama that his country as well as the rest of the world had a duty to intervene on the issue of Kashmir to help resolve one of the world’s oldest running disputes.

Nawaz said he was aware India will not like it when the issue of Kashmir is raised but he said he will stress that the issue of occupied Kashmir was a nuclear flashpoint in South Asia and deserved priority because it was in the interest of the world.

“I had told President Clinton in 1999 that if the US devoted only 10 percent of the total time devoted to the Middle East to Kashmir, then disputes between India and Pakistan will be resolved. I had told Clinton that this region needs peace and stability and it is linked to the Kashmir issue. He promised that he will spare time for this but the circumstances changed. The issue is still there and both India and Pakistan are devoting their resources towards an arms race which is unfair.”

When asked if Pakistan will buckle under pressure if asked to cancel nuclear energy projects with China and other countries, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan believed in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and technology for stable economic growth.

“Pakistan has the right to civil nuclear technology and we cannot be denied this right.”

Nawaz said he was fully aware that power prices had gone up, increasing the problems of the people but these will be brought down when the crisis of electricity has been dealt with.

The premier said he was aware of the enormity of the power crisis before the May 11 election and “that’s the reason why we didn’t lie about it and stated that it will take time for us to overcome the crisis. I told the nation openly that load shedding must be banished from Pakistan but that there is no immediate remedy. We had to pay a huge amount of money in circular debt; we had to increase the rate.

There are huge challenges but we are dealing with them, including the shortage of power as well as its theft and irregularities.”

The premier said he considered overseas Pakistanis the “heart and soul” of Pakistan and didn’t understand the animosity towards them in some sections of society.

“There should be no discrimination against overseas Pakistan whether they are British nationals or hold another nationality. They love Pakistan as much as anyone else. I will try my best to get legislation passed through parliament that ends this difference and discrimination.

We are seriously considering forming a body at the federal or provincial (Punjab) level to provide speedy justice to overseas Pakistanis whose lands have been occupied by the land mafia and who face issues; we are making a strategy for them. This body will comprise Pakistan plus overseas Pakistanis and will have full authority to look into these matters.”

He said after the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan, Pakistan will not favour any side. “We don’t have favorites in Afghanistan. Karzai, myself and David Cameron will have a tri-lateral conference on Afghanistan in a few days. We want a peaceful Afghanistan. We want to have peaceful relations with the neighboring country. We support the government of Afghanistan, not a particular group.”

In a statement shortly before leaving Islamabad for the US, Nawaz said all state institutions fully backed his agenda of safeguarding the country’s interests and honour.

The premier said he would discuss enhancing bilateral trade and investment ties and regional matters during his meetings with the US authorities. He said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the US.

He said democracy was the strength of Pakistan and the PML-N government was taking all possible measures to make people feel safe and secure from criminals, militants and terrorists.

He further said economic stability was a prerequisite for the sovereignty of Pakistan.

Agencies add: Nawaz will also interact with key senior US administration officials, including the Secretary of State John Kerry as well as Congressional leaders on the Capitol Hill.

“Though the secretary is travelling early next week, he will also be meeting with Prime Minister Sharif and his delegation on Sunday prior to his departure,” State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Friday, signifying the importance Washington attaches to discussions with the Pakistani leadership.

A senior State Department official has appreciated the recent steps taken by Nawaz Sharif to improve his relationship with Afghanistan and India.

“Looking on the regional stability issues, on the bilateral that Sharif has had with Karzai, and with Singh, after UNGA (United Nations General assembly), in an effort to continue regional stability and the continued counter-terrorism assistance,” the official added.

The official also praised Pakistan’s role in the reconciliation process in Afghanistan stating “They’ve been very helpful on Afghan reconciliation issues.” He said Obama would like to hear from Sharif in person his action plan to improve the relationship with India.

Nawaz will also meet Vice President Biden and interact with members of Congress. Senior US government officials will also call on the prime minister, officials said.

They said the premier will attend a business event organised by the US-Pakistan Business Council, address the United States Institute of Peace and interact with the Pakistani-American community.

“It’s an opportunity to broaden and deepen the relationship that we’ve both been working very hard towards in the last few years,” the senior State Department official said.

“There have been significant irritants which I think have reduced quite a bit over the course of the last year,” the US official said.

Drones are “part of a very comprehensive conversation we have on security across the board,” the US official said.

Announcing the visit recently, the White House said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s “visit will highlight the importance and resilience of the US-Pakistan relationship and provide an opportunity for us to strengthen cooperation on issues of mutual concern, such as energy, trade and economic development, regional stability, and countering violent extremism.”

“The president looks forward to discussions with Prime Minister Sharif on ways we can advance our shared interest of a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan,” the statement added.

Pakistan-India relations may also figure during the meeting. Nawaz is also expected to express Pakistan’s views in the regional security perspective, particularly in view of the 2014 Afghan transition and implications of developments in the neighboring country for Pakistan.

A senior US State Department official said drone strikes were “part of a very comprehensive conversation we have on security across the board”.

One of the things we want to hear about are the Sharif government’s own plans for dealing with their domestic terrorism issues, and what they see as the future of engaging with the TTP (Pakistani Taliban), what the status is of potential peace discussions,” the official added.

Nawaz is also expected to meet officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank as well as private investors as he seeks to make good on election promises to reinvigorate a flaccid economy.