Pak to US: Provide latest military technology, real time intelligence

Islamabad, July 23 (ANI): Pakistan has urged the United States to provide the latest military technology and real time intelligence inputs to help it to counter the terror threat.

During his meeting with US Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan needs the latest technology and real-time, credible and actionable intelligence to counter militancy effectively.

Gilani told Holbrooke that the drone strikes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have proved counter-productive and have seriously impeded Islamabad's efforts towards rooting out militancy and terrorism.

He, however, requested Washington to provide drone technology to Pakistan so that it could carry out operations against the extremists on its own.

"Pakistan needs unmanned aerial vehicles technology to help its armed forces combat the extremists," The Dawn quoted Gilani, as saying.

Earlier, during his three-day visit to the country, Holbrooke also held talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani.

Speaking at a press conference, Holbrooke said he would be visiting India next month.

"We need to keep the Indian government informed about developments in Pakistan and Afghanistan," he said. (ANI)