ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office of Pakistan said Thursday there was no justification nor understanding for US drone strikes that have ramped up to record levels in the past month.
"We believe that they are counter-productive and also a violation of our sovereignty," foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters.
"We hope that the U.S. will revisit its policy," he said, adding that the scaled up drone war was not serving the larger strategic interests, especially in the context of our efforts to win hearts and minds, which is part and parcel of our strategy against militants and terrorists."
He also ruled out any understating of the Pakistan government for US drone strikes inside the restive tribal areas.
Basit said a decision to reopen the Torkham crossing will be made "in due course."
Both the U.S. and NATO apologized for the Sept. 30 attack on Wednesday, saying the American helicopters mistook Pakistani soldiers for insurgents they were pursuing across the Afghan border.
Pakistan closed Torkham to NATO supply convoys on the same day as the attack, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded along the country's highways. Militants have taken advantage of the impasse to attack the convoys.
No understanding for US drone attacks: Pak,10/8/2010 9:55:38 PM
"We believe that they are counter-productive and also a violation of our sovereignty," foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told reporters.
"We hope that the U.S. will revisit its policy," he said, adding that the scaled up drone war was not serving the larger strategic interests, especially in the context of our efforts to win hearts and minds, which is part and parcel of our strategy against militants and terrorists."
He also ruled out any understating of the Pakistan government for US drone strikes inside the restive tribal areas.
Basit said a decision to reopen the Torkham crossing will be made "in due course."
Both the U.S. and NATO apologized for the Sept. 30 attack on Wednesday, saying the American helicopters mistook Pakistani soldiers for insurgents they were pursuing across the Afghan border.
Pakistan closed Torkham to NATO supply convoys on the same day as the attack, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded along the country's highways. Militants have taken advantage of the impasse to attack the convoys.
No understanding for US drone attacks: Pak,10/8/2010 9:55:38 PM
