Qureshi tells US NATO intrusions in Pak ‘unacceptable’

WASHINGTON - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has stated that the recent NATO intrusions into Pakistani territory are ‘unacceptable,’ and that he has taken up the matter with top US officials in his meetings.

“I have spoken about this with Senator (John) Kerry and I am taking it up with the (US) National Security adviser (James Jones)… I think it is unacceptable,” the Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as telling reporters after his meeting with Kerry at Capitol Hill.

Commenting on NATO’s cross-border air strikes, the minister replied it was a complete violation of the mandate that international forces have been given, and such actions should not be repeated.

Earlier this week, Malik had confirmed that two NATO helicopters had violated Pakistani territory, adding, “This is an attack on our sovereignty. We will react soon and serve notice on Afghan ambassador.”

The Pakistan Foreign Office had also issued a statement in this regard, saying: “In the absence of immediate corrective measures, Pakistan will be constrained to consider response options.”

Beyond the CIA drone strikes, the war along the Af-Pak border region is escalating in other ways as well, as three ISAF air strikes in Pakistani territory killed more than 50 suspected members of the Haqqani network, according to an estimate by US military officials. Pakistani officials have criticised the attacks, saying that NATO’s mandate is to carry out attacks only in Afghanistan. (ANI)