Nawaz calls military action in Khyber Agency "gross violation of human rights"

Lahore, July 3 : PML-N leader and former Pakistan premier, Nawaz Sharif has condemned the military action launched in Khyber Agency for violating human rights, and warned that if any such operation was launched in the Tribal Areas again, he would take action independently.

Describing the military action "a sheer violation of human rights", Nawaz said that a wave of anger and resentment was not only prevailing in the Tribal Areas, but also in the entire country due to killings of the country's own people in the name of the war on terror.

The PML-N is the second major party in the ruling coalition so the foreign states must take it onboard while reviewing their policies on Pakistan, he added.

"Our party's viewpoint is crystal clear on the issue of restoration of sacked judges, freedom of judiciary, supremacy of constitution and the parliament, and we will never compromise on our principled stand on these matters," the Daily Times quoted him as saying.

Talking to Human Rights Watch International (HRWI) Executive Director Kan Ethreth, Nawaz said that his party preferred political dialogue to bring normalcy to the Tribal Areas instead of a military operation, which was not a viable solution to the problem.

ANI