Pakistan asks US for drones to counter terror threat effectively

Washington, May 6 (ANI): Ahead of his much awaited meeting with US President Barack Obama, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the United States to provide Predator drone aircrafts to Islamabad to enable it to counter the expanding terror threat in the country more effectively.

"I need drones to be part of my arsenal. I need that facility. I need that equipment. I need that to be my police arrangement," Zardari said.

In an interview to a US television channel, Zardari said the Islamabad has already informed the Obama Administration about its needs to support the fight against the extremists.

"I will request this from the United States to give it a thought that if we own them, then we take out our targets rather than somebody else coming and doing it for us," The News quoted Zardari, as saying.

He said it was more important to have the resources in terms of sophisticated arms and ammunitions rather than having security personnel on its soil confronting the militants.

"I'm open to the fact that we need more equipment, we need more intelligence equipment, we need intelligence support, but not personnel. I don't think personnel are necessary, they'll be counterproductive," Zardari added.

When enquired about the fears which is being raised about the country's nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of the Taliban and other extremist groups, Zardari said: "They are in safe hands.We have a 700,000 army, how can they take over?"

Zardari is in Washington to take part in a tripartite summit with his US and Afghanistan counterparts. He would also hold separate bilateral talks with the US President Barack Obama. (ANI)