No agreement with US for drone attacks in Pak tribal areas: Gilani

Karachi, Jan 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the US drone attacks contribute towards nullifying Pakistani efforts to create a wedge between the loyal tribes and militants besides casting a negative impact on plans to bring peace in the border region.

"Pakistan during last year had succeeded in isolating militants because of result-oriented policies of the government but all such measures could not bring the cherished results in the wake of drone attacks that came from across the borders. This situation prompted sympathies for the militants which otherwise were rapidly waning," Gilani said.

He said the government did not permit the drone attacks on the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), and hoped that with the change in leadership in the US the policy might change.

He refused to comment on the statement of former president Pervez Musharraf on the issue, saying, "We have been condemning these attacks in question."

"There is no agreement with the US in this regard. Pakistan is a sovereign country and permission for US drone attacks could not be given and we are also seeking support of other countries against these attacks, as the miscreants are coming closer."

"We are a strong nation and know how to defend our country," The Nation quoted Gilani, as saying.

Responding to a query on awarding Hilal-i-Qauid-i-Azam to US Vice President-elect Joe Biden, Gilani justified the honouring of a person who, he said, was not only pro-Pakistan but had also played a key role in the restoration of democracy in this country.

No political party succeeded in forcing Musharraf to shed uniform, but it was pressure of the US and Vice President-elect Biden that compelled the General to take off his uniform, Gilani maintained.

Talking to reporters, Gilani said if the US authorities had any proofs regarding presence of terrorists in tribal areas, then it must provide such proofs to Pakistan. " Our forces will act against them", he added.(ANI)