Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Time to review relations, Pakistan's Khar WARNS US

Last updated on: November 30, 2011 14:35 IST
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar

With a deadly North Atlantic Treaty Organisation air raid sparking outrage in Pakistan, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said it was time for the country "to review its relations" while demanding "complete clarity" from the international community on Islamabad's sovereignty.

Khar said the US has been issued a notice to vacate the Shamsi airbase in Balochistan province within 15 days in line with the cabinet's decision.

Describing the air raid on border posts in Mohmand Agency as a breach of sovereignty and a violation of international law, Khar said, "The time has come to review our relations".

Click NEXT to read further...

Time to review relations, Pakistan's Khar WARNS US

Last updated on: November 30, 2011 14:35 IST
An army soldier stands guard near caskets of soldiers killed in the attack.

Numerous reports have said that Shamsi airbase, which was leased to the United Arab Emirates by Pakistan in 1992, is used by Central Investigation Agency-operated drones. Angered by Saturday's cross-border NATO air strike that killed 24 soldiers, Pakistan asked the US to vacate the airbase and shut down all NATO supply routes.

Khar told state-run PTV that Pakistan had supported the world community in the war against terrorism and made "great sacrifices".

Pakistan's positive cooperation must be recognised at the international level and not taken as its "weakness", she said. The country's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected at all cost, she said, adding the people and the government will not tolerate such incidents in future.

Click NEXT to read further...

Time to review relations, Pakistan's Khar WARNS US

Last updated on: November 30, 2011 14:35 IST
A man rides his bicycle past trucks, some of which are carrying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan, lined up along a road in Karachi

"We don't want any aid or assistance but we want to live with dignity and honour," she added. Demanding "complete clarity" from the international community about Pakistan's sovereignty, Khar said the country wanted to move forward with honour and dignity.

She said it was up to "Pakistan's political forces to evolve a future strategy keeping in view the current situation".

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.