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ISLAMABAD: Law makers in the Upper House of the Parliament Friday expressed serious concerns and condemned Thursday’s US drone strike in Miran Shah killing several people.

The members urged the government to adopt a joint resolution condemning the incident, showing resolve and asking the armed forces to stand guard for security of the territory.

“The government has no two opinions on this issue. It stands by its previous stance of unexpectability of such violations. We have a principled stand since the Prime Minister took oath,” said Raza Rabbani, Leader of the House in the Senate.

“I want to make it abundantly clear. The government would not allow anybody to violate its territorial integrity. We had strongly protested at the highest level and condemn this violation again,” Rabbani said.

He said, the President and the Prime Minister had also taken up these violation earlier and made it clear through Foreign Office that Pakistan strongly condemns such acts.

He said the government was given assurances that violations would not be repeated. “But, it is unfortunate that despite assurances, violations continue and I on behalf of the government strongly condemn it.”

“We shall not stand for or allow violation of our ground and air space,” he said, adding, the matter is also cause of concern in wake of the consensus resolution adopted by the joint sitting of the Parliament.

He said Parliament is voice of people and so is the resolution and “we expect and look forward that all foreign powers including the United States would accord due respect to the will of people of Pakistan.”

“I once again strongly condemn this incident and assure that we shall not allow that resolution to wither away,” Rabbani said. Earlier, Senator Prof. Khursheed Ahmed had drawn the attention of the government towards unwarranted strikes of the US drones into Pakistan’s tribal areas.

He said since last two years, it was 67th across the border strike and 32 strikes occurred just during last seven months killing hundreds of people and injuring scores others.

He described the strike as serious in wake of the consensus resolution adopted by the Parliament at its joint sitting, stressing to review the Pakistan’s policy and de-link itself from war against terror.

He said whole the nation was happy on adoption of the resolution and we appreciate the role of the Prime Minister who encouraged a new beginning. “But, United States is poised to sabotage our this creative effort.

Their officials visited Pakistan during the session with a message that no dialogue would be held with those active in tribal areas and if so, Pakistan would not be provided financial assistance,” he said.

He also proposed to adopt a resolution condemning the incident, warning against violations and expression of firm resolve to protect our territory. Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhel said it is responsibility of the government to assure that no external forces violate our boundaries.

“The House should adopt a resolution urging the government to ensure that no external elements violate our territorial integrity,” he said.

Senator Nisar Memon also condemned the incident on behalf of his party Pakistan Muslim League and said, it should be made clear in light of the consensus resolution adopted by joint sitting that no intrusion or invasion into our territory will be tolerated.

He urged to summon the US Ambassador to Foreign Office to lodge a protest and instruct our armed forces also, not to tolerate such intrusion.

Senator Tariq Azim said the attack was carried out in the wake of joint resolution adopted by the Parliament, representing the voice of Pakistani people, and termed it an attack on sovereignty of the Parliament.

He said the Speaker National Assembly should have canceled her meeting with the US ambassador on Thursday in protest and added that the US ambassador should be summoned to Foreign Office to register protest.

He expressed concerns about the frequent visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Richards Boucher and said, the US intervention in the internal affairs of Pakistan would not be tolerated.

Towards the end of the discussion on the subject, Leader of the House sought time till Monday to come up with more details for the House and decide on the future course.