Pak to US: Stop unilateral drone attacks

Islamabad, Mar 27: Pakistan has asked the United States to stop launching unilateral drone attacks in the country's tribal areas, as the strikes are damaging Islamabad's plan to defeat terrorism through popular support.

"We have raised the issue very forcefully with the US and conveyed the sentiments of the Pakistani people, and especially that these (drone attacks) are counter-productive," the Daily Times quoted Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit, as saying.

However, Basit quashed the accusation that Islamabad was party with the US to launch accurate unmanned drone attacks against the Taliban in the Tribal Areas.

"How can a country allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be breached?" Basit asked.

Basit also urged the US to review the drone attack policy and adopt a holistic approach, which included regional players, to remedy the terrorism. He added that use of force alone had failed to win the people's hearts.

On March 17, the assembly of Pakistan's North Western Frontier Province had passed a resolution demanding that the Pakistan Government ask the US to stop drone attacks in tribal and settled areas.

ANI