Pakistan has confirmed that UN Special Rapporteur is undertaking an inquiry into human rights violations in drone strikes.
Replying to a question at the weekly news briefing here on Thursday‚ Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan said the exercise is part of a broader mandate given to the Rapporteur by the UN Human Rights Council to examine abuse of human rights while countering terrorism.
He said Pakistan‚ along with other like-minded countries‚ had called for examining the extra-judicial and targetted killing including through drone strikes resulting in death of civilians and non-combatants.
To another question‚ the spokesman said Pakistan regards drone strikes as violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. “These have no legality and are counter-productive. He said this issue has been a constant source of concern for Pakistan and we have been communicating this to the US administration at every level”, he said.
Replying to a question‚ he said that Pakistan has initiated a process of release of all Afghan detainees to help facilitate the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. He‚ however‚ said he would not give names or numbers.
About tension on the Line of Control‚ the spokesman said Pakistan wants to sort out all issues particularly violation of the LoC with India. He said there are concerns on both sides but the best way is to sort them out through dialogue. “There is an established mechanism and Pakistan has been urging India to resolve the issue through that mechanism”, he said.
The spokesman reiterated that Pakistan desires to resolve all issues with India through dialogue and in a constructive manner.
Regarding statements of Indian leaders confirming rise of terrorism and extremism in India‚ the spokesman said Pakistan is concerned and reiterated the demand for thorough investigation into Samjotha Express bombing. He said the investigations should be shared with Pakistan and culprits punished in accordance with the law.
Asked to comment on an advertisement that recently appeared in a newspaper of Occupied Kashmir urging people to make safety precautions against nuclear attack‚ the spokesman said this is ridiculous.