A file photo of a drone. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON: The Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) drone campaign in Pakistan, under which more than 300 strikes were carried out since 2004, is winding down, Express News reported on Friday.
Quoting an Associated Press report, Express News stated that the shrinking of the remote killing program was a result of “stricter rules, diplomatic sensitivities and the changing nature of the al Qaeda threat.”
Missiles once rained down in Pakistan at a rate of two per week but there has not been a single strike since December 2013.
"The programme (in Pakistan) appears to have ended," AP report quoted journalist Peter Bergen as saying. Bergen has closely studied drone strikes for the New America Foundation, a Washington think tank.
The CIA and the White House, however, declined to comment.
In a major foreign policy speech at the US Military Academy on May 28, Obama had said the US would continue to carry out occasional drone strikes against terrorist targets, but he cited Yemen and Somalia, not Pakistan.
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Obviously this has been done by pti. Credit always goes to pti and criticism saved for pmln. If drones didn't stop pmln bad if drones stop pmln criticised. Bravo pti.
@Stranger: Dont worry, Slumdog will remain india's pet!
"Missiles once rained down in Pakistan at a rate of two per week but there has not been a single strike since December 2013." So says that Norwegian press, but can they be believed? Hardly! Like a party thrown by Bacchus himself, the drones represent more than 100 mendicants from all over the Pakistan. A case in point is the infamous "snipe" drone. By allowing the snipe to repeated enter and exit and then inject a dose of warm counter-terrorism into the bowels of north-west Pakistan, the Government has quietened down insurgencies. What's more, Nawaz appreciated the improved coordination with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, crediting them for improved law and order situation in Balochistan, and party leaders have said that they want to end the system of corruption in the current government. Only time will tell.
Terrorism should stop now that drones have basically droned out. One 'root cause' of terrorism eliminated. The PAF is more effective with no civilian casualities at all or not reported.
Cunning Americans, what a way to gain confidence of our corrupt leadership...CSF funds due...F16s delivered...and operation in the air...btw the national bird is the PAF bird!!
All please note that this was an OPINION by a think tank, not a fact!
Thank you PTI. You have already done so much without even coming to power at the center.
Pakistan military finally steps up to the plate to fight militants --- drones back off. Correlation?
Nothing to fear when Drones are not flying, therefore burger leader should go back to his province to fulfill his promises.
The drones are currently are not fully developed to deflect from the aircrafts in the same area. Pakistan military missions I guess have taken the task now.
Rex Minor
Who is going to take care of Fazlullah then?
Come all the PTI trolls.... take the credit for this, too.
You like to take all (un)due credit but are not prepared to face criticism, that is the problem!
I like the "appear" part in the title.
Missing national bird of pakistan.Many of them in pakistan didn't sleep well because of this national bird
This is a very bad news for PTI and JI, they have nothing to scream about and nothing to appease the terrorists now.
You should also mention how many suicide attacks were made before and after drone attacks being stopped.
And so the PMLN will boast that drone strikes have ended because of their government's efforts. Brace yourself to hear that lie.
Awwww geez ... Which one will be the new national bird of Pak now . It used to be THE DRONE all these years.