Nawaz Sharif to raise issue of drone attacks with Obama

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he would raise the issue of drone attacks with US leaders during his three-day official visit to Washington.

Sharif said he raised this issue at a UN General Assembly meeting and he would again tell US President Barack Obama that these strikes were against Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

“Pakistan raised its concern in the United Nations General Assembly meeting and the world appreciated it. Again in my official visit to the US, I will reiterate the same message,” Sharif told media in London Saturday.

The prime minister made a stop over in London while on his way to Washington where he will meet US President Barack Obama.

Regarding the drone attacks, he said Pakistan’s stand was clear and there was no duplicity in the policy.

About talks with Taliban, Sharif said: “All parties agreed to talks, we start talks, then violence erupts and things get off track.”

He added that there was a need for serious efforts for talks and the efforts should also be made from the other side.

Sharif said he would also attend the trilateral conference on Afghanistan with President Hamid Karzai and British Prime Minister David Cameron in Britain during his upcoming visit to the country.

“We will try to restart our efforts for peace in Afghanistan,” he said.

IANS