NATO, UK distance from drone attacks in Pak

Islamabad, Nov 25 : The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the UK have reportedly distanced themselves from the frequent drone attacks in Pakistan, said Senate Standing Committee on Defence Chairman Nisar Memon last evening.

The two have asked the Pakistan government to raise the issue (of drone attacks) with the US.

"We expressed our concern over the drone attacks but the NATO and British authorities have distanced [themselves] from the attacks inside Pakistan and asked us to raise the issue with the US administration," the Daily Times quoted Memon as telling media persons after returning from a visit to the UK and the NATO headquarters along with the committee members.

Memon said the committee had conveyed Pakistan's concerns over the drone attacks inside the Tribal Areas to UK and NATO officials, and added that it would also meet US authorities as well to discuss the issue of the drone attacks inside the Tribal Areas.

"We emphasised that this action is earning a bad name for the United States and its allies including the UK and ISAF," he said and added that the officials unequivocally said that they respected Pakistan's sovereignty and had no mandate to cross the border into Pakistan.

He said Pakistani senators made it clear to both the UK and NATO officials that it was their turn to 'do more'.

ANI