The White House has no intentions of ending CIA drone strikes against militant targets on Pakistani soil, U.S. officials say, possibly setting the two countries up for diplomatic tensions after Pakistan’s parliament unanimously approved new guidelines for the country’s troubled relationship with the United States.
U.S. officials say they will work in coming weeks and months to find common ground with Pakistan, but if a suspected terrorist target comes into the laser sights of a CIA drone’s hellfire missiles, they will take the shot.
It’s not the first time the U.S. has ignored Pakistan’s parliament, which demanded an end to drone strikes in 2008. What’s different now is that the Pakistani government is in a more fragile political state, and can no longer continue its earlier practice of quietly allowing the U.S. action while publicly denouncing it, Pakistani officials say.
The White House declined to comment. All other officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the high stakes diplomatic jockeying.
The parliament approved on Thursday recommendations intended to guide Pakistan’s government in its negotiations to reset the U.S. relationship. The guidelines allow for the blockade on U.S. and NATO supplies to be lifted. The lawmakers demanded a halt to CIA-led missile attacks but did not make that a prerequisite to reopening the supply lines.
In the meantime, the White House has raised the bar to who the CIA is allowed to target, applying new limits and all but curtailing so-called “signature strikes” where CIA targeters deemed certain groups and behavior as clearly indicative of militant activity.
The White House also explored whether giving Pakistan advance notice of the strikes could become the basis of a compromise to keep the operation going.
I feel pity
Shame for pakistani politicians. All proved themselves impotent
Now Pakistan should give a strict behavior to US especially associating nato supply with drones..
shame on Pakistan politicians and the Fauj. No country in the world in the world tolerate this kind of threat. IK is so right, they are slaves of dollars.
Well well, what would u expect when trying to befriend a greyhound and try and pinch its tail?? you can expect it to turn around and bite you
So what else was everyone expecting with such a top class leadership and true believers of democracy who voted them to decide the very best for the country. Such a pity and extremely shameful for a sovereign state.
Well done parliament
Parliamentary recommendations should immediately be implemented so that NATO supply route is opened before drones change their direction.
Sixth largest army in the world which is equiped with nuclear weapons should be able to defend itself. Kiani must be really proud that he is not able to defend the country which he promised to protect and give his life for in his oath of office. As long as we have cowards leading our army, we will just be the laughing stock of the world. Lets accept it. Our nuclear program has no credibility and it does not deter anybody from invading our airspace and land on daily basis. Nobody fears us. Nobody cares our how big our army is because they know that our leaders are incompetent and coward. I wonder if Kiani ever felt bad for taking millions and millions a month for a job that he is totally incapable of doing? Probably not. He's just as corrupt as his masters.
If the PM is honest with the nation and wants to stop drone strikes as per directive of the Parliament, he should order Pakistan Air Force to shoot down any drones that enters Pakistan air space. If he does not, it means he is giving permission to US to continue while lying to the nation thethat he is opposed to drone strikes.
All these false propaganda by the government of taking the bull (USA) by the horn is going to weaken the peoples confidence. Maybe it is up to the people to rise up against the establishment as well as the terrorists. An event bigger than the Arab Springs is probably required to set the house in order. And when it does happen the people of Pakistan should make a fresh start with their foreign policies and opt for a peaceful and progressive one. It is time that the people of Pakistan prosper just like the rest of the world.
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