ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned US Charge d’ Affaires Richard Hoagland to the Foreign Office on Saturday afternoon to lodge a strong protest on the US drone strike in North Waziristan.
Seven people were killed when a US drone fired two missiles targeting a compound in a village in the North Waziristan tribal area, close to the Afghan border on Friday night.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the drone strikes which are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it was conveyed to the US official. Moreover, the importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes was emphasized.
It was also pointed out that Pakistan has consistently maintained that drone strikes are counter-productive‚ entail loss of innocent civilian lives and have human rights and humanitarian implications.
It was also stressed that these drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region.
DND
