Pakistan says foreign forces not allowed to violate its territory

Islamabad, Sep 19 (UNI) Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi today said his country would not allow any foreign forces to conduct raids inside its territory.

His statement came two days after a fresh US missile strike in South Waziristan tribal region killed at least seven people on Wednesday.

The missiles were fired hours after US military chief Mike Mullen met top Pakistani civil and military leaders here and reiterated respect for Pakistan's sovereignty.

''Our government has clearly conveyed its viewpoint to Admiral Mike Mullen,'' Mr Qureshi told mediapersons in the central city of Multan.

He added that Admiral Mullen assured Pakistani leaders of respecting Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan's tribal regions of South and North Waziristan have been experiencing missile strikes in the recent past, which killed dozens of people including some of the top foreign militants.

However, a September 3 cross-border raid by coalition troops in South Waziristan, a known hub of Taliban and Al-Qaeda fugitives was rare, killing 15 people.

Pakistan has been protesting over a wave of missile strikes attributed to US-led forces in Afghanistan in the recent months, which saw renewed incidents of violence, including suicide attacks and bomb blasts in Pakistan.

Mr Qureshi said no external forces were allowed to conduct raids inside Paksitan and it was the sole resonsibility of Pakistani forces to conduct operations.

He added that Pakistan was an American ally. ''The Foreign Ministry is trying to make its policy very clear to foreign countries about US missile strikes, which have been condemned at all levels of the government,'' he said.

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