President Asif Ali Zardari has said drone attacks were not only violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty but were counter-productive and their legality was questionable.
Talking to US Ambassador Richard Olson at the Presidency on Thursday, Zardari conveyed to the US ambassador concerns over drone attacks and said such attacks had complicated the anti-terror drive. He said the attacks fuelled anti-US sentiments and were killing civilians. Sources said the president was of the view that new US guidelines over drone attacks in Pakistan needed to be reviewed.
Stressing on enhanced intelligence sharing to combat militancy in the Tribal Areas, he said the country’s forces were well equipped and competent enough to handle terrorists, adding that the forces had already broken the back of terrorists.
According to president’s spokesman, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations.
The meeting also discussed the development projects being carried out in Pakistan by USAID. Zardari said the PPP government was committed to holding free and fair elections and elections would be held on time without any delay. The president expressed the hope that Olson’s tenure as ambassador would serve to further strengthen Pak-US relations based on mutual trust‚ respect and mutual benefit.
Stop using drones on us, president tells US
