Pak ambassador to UN says country must convince US to cease drone attacks

The Pakistan ambassador to the UN has said that his country needs to convince the US about the futility of the drone attacks as part of their drawdown from Afghanistan and to revisit their military doctrine that justifies use of armed drones.

Pakistan envoy Masood Khan said that more intense, results-based engagement with the US is required the Dawn reports.

According to the report, Khan said that Pakistan's legal arguments are sound and compelling as armed drones violate national sovereignty and infringes the principles of distinction and proportionality recognised by international humanitarian law,

He further said that Pakistan has always argued that the use of drone attacks is counter-productive, whip up anti-government and anti-US sentiment, and enhance space for terrorists to win over fresh recruits for their cause.

Khan said that Pakistan's belief of stability depended on peace and stability in Afghanistan and added that with peace next door, the people of Pakistan could live in peace.

The report further added him saying that Pakistan along with Afghanistan wants to work for cooperative economic development, and greater regional connectivity as peace and stability in Afghanistan is a key constituent of Pakistan's foreign policy, which is supported by all state institutions.