By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Thursday the government had protested to the U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan over air strikes in the country’s tribal regions.
Over 10 people were killed and scores of others injured in a U.S. missile strike at Pakistan’s tribal region of Bajaur last month.
“A very strong protest has been launched at every level including the United States and NATO,” Qureshi told the National Assembly.
“Even the Prime Minister took up the issue with (U.S.) President Bush during his meeting at Sharm el-Sheikh last month and expressed concern and anxiety of the people of Pakistan,” Qureshi said.
Pakistan is aware of the international obligations regarding war on terror, but Pakistan will not compromise on its national interests and sovereignty while curbing the menace, he said.
“The government is determined to re-establish its writ in the Tribal Areas through political means and socio-economic development but it would not shy away if it has to use power for this purpose,” said Qureshi.
He appealed to the opposition parties to extend help to the government to deal with the issue of terrorism and called for evolving a unified strategy of national consensus to deal with the menace of terrorism to bring peace in the country, the News Network International news agency reported.
The government has embarked on a three-pronged strategy to deal with the terrorism but this issue needs a national consensus and collective standing of the nation, Qureshi said.
He invited the opposition leader to nominate his representative to sit with him and discuss the issue to reach a consensus for a comprehensive strategy.
Qureshi said he would visit Afghanistan shortly and discuss with Afghan leaders efforts to bring peace in the region.