It is good to see that there is vocal opposition to drones being used even though they could do more. During the last few years the opposition to drones has increased, I should say under this current Government.
Who is responsible for this opposition - the democratic government led by the PPP or the Military?
Re: Opposition to Drones
It seems to be driven by the military, as after the OBL raid people generally hold the military responsible for the drone strikes. ISI chief will be meeting with his counterpart in a few days and the main reason of the visit would be drone strikes. All the polls coming out of the country also suggest wide spread hatred to the drone strikes, and considering this to be the election year the govt would also want them to be at least minimised otherwise they will suffer in the polls. Another thing is becoming evident that after the departure of Haqqani (who was Pakistani ambassador but looking after US interests), Sherry Rahman is trying to propagate Pakistani interests in the US.
Re: Opposition to Drones
like Ali Syed said, its more Military is now finally serious in bringing an end to all this. But I guess Military and govt both are on the same page.
earlier, govt was voicing its oppostion to drone strikes for quite sometime. but it was more like a lip service. they were only speaking out against this in the media, just to show to the awaam, look we care. however, not even once they tried to take some serious measures to really bring an end to this. but I guess since last year or so, they have come under immense amount of pressure, because, not only Pakistanis are against this, rallies/protesting happening across the country, but pretty much the whole world is opposing to their unilateral actions. Moreover, it has increased antiAmerican sentiments in the last few years,and the govt/military wants to lower rise of anti-US sentiments, they need to do so for the sake of keeping their vote bank intact, this way they will some sort of achievement that under our regime, we brought an end to drone strikes that has killed more civilians than militants. whatever their intentions are behind all this,election gimmicks etc. if they are able to bring an end to this. it will be indeed a huge success.
let's see if ISI chief visit to US is fruitful or not. btw, these discussions have been going on for quite some time and i guess its about they come back with a solution.
Re: Opposition to Drones
So it was the government originally who voiced concerns? The military goverment under Musharaf allowed the drone strikes so I assume the military would have wanted to carry it on, until the last few years where it was becoming too much dealing with the Americans.
Both have been paying lip service in reality and still are. Where are drones flying from now?
Re: Opposition to Drones
During the past year the military has had a lot of bashing, the leftists have always been against the establishment but for the first time the rightists had also condemning military policies. The military was losing the support in the country, as they have shown especially during the past year that they cannot defend themselves from internal elements as well as external forces. Maybe this might have forced them to take a corrective action.
Re: Opposition to Drones
To me it seems that the authorities be it the military or the politcians do not really care about these attacks as they are getting rich from American aid and are only paying lip service to the common man. If they really wanted to they could have stopped these raids but that would leave them worse off.
It is sad that there are so many corrupt people in Pakistan, India and indeed the world.