Pakistan denies agreement with US over drone strikes in tribal areas

Islamabad, Jan.29 (ANI): Rejecting claims of the United States which said that Pakistan was aware about the US's plan of drone attacks inside its territory, Pakistan has said that there was no understanding between both the countries over the missile hits targeted against the Al-Qaeda and Taliban hideouts in tribal areas.

"There is no understanding between Pakistan and the United States on Predator attacks," The Nation quoted Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesman, Muhammad Sadiq, as saying.

Sadiq reiterated that Pakistan is sincere on its part to tackle the menace of terrorism, and has taken more steps than any other nation to curb the activities of the Al-Qaeda.

"As far as Al-Qaeda was concerned, Pakistan had done more than any other country," he said.

Sadiq also stressed on the need of greater co-operation between the United States and Pakistan to establish peace in the region, and especially in the tribal regions of the country.

"We want closer co-operation at the operational level to deal with militancy. This co-operation is part of a broader co-operation to bring peace and stability and eliminating extremism," he said.

Earlier, the US Defence Secretary Robert Gates had said that Washington would continue strikes by unmanned Predator drones against militants in Pakistan and Pakistan was aware of this. (ANI)