Pakistani lawmakers condemn U.S. drone killing Taliban chief

The treasury and opposition benches, in a rare unity, on Tuesday joined hands to condemn the recent U.S. drone attack which killed the Taliban chief and scuttled the proposed peace process.

The main opposition Pakistan Peoples Party and other opposition groups also backed the government policy to pursue talks with the Taliban despite the drone attack.

Speaking in the National Assembly, the members also called for review of relationship with the United States as, according to them, Washington does not respect sovereignty of other countries.

Leader of Opposition Khurshid Shah in the National Assembly, said the government and the opposition parties should sit together and find a way for revival of peace and stability in the country.

"It is our duty to get united to demonstrate to the world that Pakistanis are an honorable nation and can defend the sovereignty of the country."

He said the recent drone attack in North Waziristan has sabotaged the dialogue process with Taliban.

Continuing the debate, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party said the drone attacks are in violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. He said dialogue is the only way to move forward to address the issue of terrorism.

Chief of Jamait ulema-e-Islam party, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, said Islam has nothing to do with extremism and terrorism as it abhors the bloodshed of innocent people. He said dialogue and not the use of force is the only way to steer the country out of current situation.

He suggested the government should convene another All Parties Conference to find a way forward following the situation created by the recent drone attack.

An opposition member Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqoob said the government should use all its influence and demand the United States to immediately halt the drone attacks. He said the recent drone attack was a conspiracy to sabotage peace process.

Opposition lawmaker Jamaluddin Khan said the U.S. drone attacks are claiming lives of innocent people including children and women. He said these attacks are also against the honour, dignity and sovereignty of Pakistan.

Jamshed Dasti, an independent member said foreign elements are involved in acts of terrorism as they do not want restoration of peace in the country. He said the government should take courageous stand against the drone attacks and suspend the NATO's supplies.