Pakistan to devise new strategy if drone attacks continue: Firdous

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Friday if United States government fails to respect the unanimous resolution of the Parliament and sentiments of people of Pakistan on national sovereignty, the government will have to devise new strategy to protect national interests.

Talking to media persons after briefing about Federal Cabinet meeting, she said that it was the responsibility of the government to convey sentiments of the people to United States.

The Minister said the joint resolution indicated that if drone attack continues, Pakistan will have to re-visit its engagement with the US.

She said that under the new strategy the country's interests would be protected without facing isolation in the world.

She said the parliament, all political parties, the nation are unanimous that continuation of drone attacks will affect Pakistan, US relations.

Awan said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been conveyed that it wasd unacceptable for Pakistanis to allow that any one to challenge their country's sovereignty.

To a question about absence of the Defence Minister in Defence Committee of the cabinet, she said that top civil and military officials including Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Defence Secretary attended the meeting.

The Prime Minister is the captain of the team who chairs the meeting and absence of one player does not mean that the government is not serious on security issues, she said.

About the Independent Commission to probe the May 2 incident, she said "We believed in supremacy of the Parliament as it reflects the sentiments of the people of Pakistan." She said the Prime Minister informed the cabinet about the process of formation of the commission.

She said it will be constituted with the consultation of all political parties and consultations were going on to appoint a non-controversial person as its head.

To another question she said Interior Minister Rehman Malik will present preliminary investigation report of PNS to the Prime Minister within couple of days.

To a question about Punjab chief minister statement regarding refusal to take foreign loans, she said it attractive slogan but it should be implemented in the Punjab province first.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011