The US drone strike in North Waziristan on May 29, killing the deputy chief of the Pakistani Taleban, Waliur Rehman, has demolished the claim of right-wing political parties in the country that the tribal belt is an island of peace and prosperity and drones are targeting peaceful citizens.
These drone strikes have eliminated a number of dreadful militants — Pakistanis as well as foreigners — who were beyond the reach of the Pakistani security forces.
We know that the incoming governments in Islamabad and Peshawar have vowed to negotiate with the Taleban and stop drone strikes. Peshawar High Court has also ordered the government to strike down any drone violating Pakistan’s airspace.
Regardless of these vows and pledges, one thing is sure that as long as militants will continue to violate Pakistan sovereignty by operating on its soil and attacking other countries, world will be taking counter measures to eliminate the imminent danger posed by terrorists.
We can’t continue to debate who came first — chicken or egg. If militants are disarmed, the Pakistani forces are in control of its international borders and foreign terrorists are thrown out of the Pakistani soil, drone strikes will also stop. — Masood Khan, Jubail
Drone strikes in Pakistan
