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Pakistani Court Rules Government Has Right To Stop U.S. Drones


An unmanned Predator drone
An unmanned Predator drone
A Pakistani court has ruled that Islamabad has the right to stop unmanned U.S. aircraft if Washington ignores warnings to halt drone attacks.

Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan wrote that "drone strikes carried out against a handful of alleged militants, who are not engaged in combat with the U.S. authorities or forces, amounts to a breach of international law."

Khan, who was part of a two-judge panel, wrote that the drone strikes are "absolutely illegal and blatant violations" of Pakistan's sovereignty.

The court designated U.S. drone attacks as "war crimes" and called on Pakistan's government to request a UN tribunal investigation to confirm the designation.

It is not clear how the court's ruling would be enforced on Pakistan's government or military.

Based on reporting by dpa and RFE/RL

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