Summary PM said that he would present Pakistan's viewpoint on drones and other issues in US.
LONDON (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has left for US to hold talks with the Obama administration.
Talking to media here before departure, Nawaz Sharif said that he would present Pakistan s viewpoint on various national and international issues to the US administration.
“Pakistan s policy on all maters is clear and we have nothing to hide or be shy about, we want to work with the US and other world powers as a responsible country,” he said.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said he will tell President Barack Obama that drone attacks violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and independence and as an ally the US must immediately halt these attacks inside Pakistan. He said Pakistan had a clear policy on drone strikes.
Nawaz said: “There is no illusion about this policy; we believe drones challenge Pakistan’s sovereignty. We consider drone strikes as an attack on our independence; these attacks go against Pakistan’s interests. This should stop.”
The premier said during his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, he was able to present Pakistan’s viewpoint before the world in a clear and candid manner and “the same position of clarity and openness will be adopted during our talks with the Obama administration”.
He condemned the killing of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf legislator and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Israr Gandapur. He said the decision to hold talks with the Taliban had been taken during the recently held All Parties Conference (APC).
“It was not just one party’s decision but what has followed since is regrettable. Problems occur soon after talks begin.
There are attacks, the dialogue stops and the whole confidence level is shaken,” said Nawaz Sharif, almost confirming officially that there had been some level of contact with the Taliban.
He appealed to the Taliban to think about what they want to do about the peace talks but held that “the dialogue process must be carried forward seriously”.
When asked if he will raise the issue of Kashmir with the Obama administration, Nawaz said he will tell President Obama that his country as well as the rest of the world had a duty to intervene on the issue of Kashmir to help resolve one of the world’s oldest running disputes.
