Acting US Ambassador Richard Hoagland and US Counsel General Nina Marya on Wednesday called on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.
During the meeting attended by several senior leaders of the PML-N, Nawaz informed Hoagland about the disadvantages of the unpopular US drone strikes in the Tribal Areas and demanded the US government stop the strikes, as they were a major source of spreading anti-Americanism in the country.
The PML-N leadership and US diplomats discussed various current issues, including the war on terror and Pak-US relationship. Nawaz demanded the US to respect the sovereignty of Pakistan. He told the US envoy that drone strikes were spreading hatred among the Pakistani nationals against the US, demanding that the drone strikes must come to an end. Appreciating the sacrifices of the Pakistani security forces and nationals in the war on terror, the US envoy said the US would extend complete help to Pakistan in the war on terror, adding that US would support the democratic system in Pakistan. Hoagland said the US administration would be conveyed the concern of the PML-N leadership.
