White House: US to continue drone strikes
According to the US media, White House officials proclaimed that drone strikes would resume on receipt of reports of high-value targets, as eradicating terrorist hideouts was in their national interest. The officials added that the US will continue cooperation on common interests with Pakistan.
On the other hand, a newspaper claimed that according to an official at the White House, the US is seriously considering a formal apology for the drone attack that killed 24 soldiers last year.
Earlier, the parliament had made a bold attempt to change the power balance between Pakistan and the US by calling for a halt to drone attacks and refusing to allow Pakistani airspace to be used by the US.
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@Common Pakistani: Dear Common Pakistani, The American presence in Pakistan/Afghanistan is unfortunate for everybody. Particularly when their drones kill innocent men, women and children, which happens every time a supposedly intelligent missile or bomb is fired. On the plus side, which is no consolation, these so called intelligent weapons are very expensive and are slowly sending America bankrupt. For example, although one cannot get a definite answer on the cost of a Hellfire missile, the initial cost is about $58,000.00 and total cost, with various overheads, is well over $100,000.00. Let us hope that with U.S. unfunded liabilities of well over 200 trillion dollars, and climbing, these relatively small amounts will mount up and force the Americans into reviewing the cost effectiveness of drones and their various types of explosive devices. This is the only hope we have. They are obviously not concerned about the death toll of innocent people.
@Mirza Two wrongs do not make one right. Drone attacks, not only in Pakistan but anywhere, are wrong. Pls take into account the INCREASE in terrorism after these attacks started. We need to sit down and talk. These attacks are just bringing misery. Stopping militancy does not translate into drone attacks at any cost, under any circumstances. They are also against international law. We cant become inhuman to fight inhuman acts. This is the first lesson our mothers teach to us, dont they?
Pakistan has been jinxed by their treacherous leadership.
thats a slap to cabinet. USA can apologize for troubling bollywood actors on Airport. but can not apologize killing of 24 Pakistanis. buck up uncle Sam i salute ur supporters i salute our selfish leadership of Pakistan no doubt its a shame
Shameful leadership...shameful supporters...we want dollars...rout will be opened and drone attacks will resume...
@Nadir
Pakistan not only condemns the taliban, they're fighting the taliban. Do you want to take your logic further, and fight the US?
Welcome to the global village law and order rules. If Pakistan wants to be part of the global village she has to abide by the norms of law and order situation. Since Pakistan Army says it can not patrol Afghanistan border as its resources are thin than world has to step in and do the work for you. If the drones were same but they were flying under UN flag imposed by security council resolution would you accept it? if yes as you would have no choice than what is the difference who is flying it. Pakistan should send a big thank you note to Uncle Sam and ask them to deduct the cost of drone through the US Aid cheque.
what moluna fazal has to say now - his appeal to go for strenghing frienship or .... another meeting with mr,mantor.
Sovereinity is not aquired by a nation but it is assured by the community of nation in a globalized world .
No country is going to give you the right to provide sanctuary to terrorist who are targeting your neighbors and allies --- your sovereignty argument is ludicrous which is why no one including your all weather friend China supports your position. If your position is just then take your argument to the United Nations --- the fact that you don't says something about how just your cause is.
So what else was everyone expecting with such a top class leadership and true believers of democracy who voted them to decide the very best for the country. Such a pity and extremely shameful for a sovereign state.
@Mirza: Dear Mirza, It is fairly obvious that your wife and children are not in the target zone. I personally have been in target zones and it is not particularly enjoyable. Of course the people sending over these explosive pieces of ordnance will always report that "the mission was successful", but the reality is somewhat different. Unfortunately, there will always be people like you who say "good job". The people you should really be listening to are the parents of the 2.5 million dead children in Afghanistan.
oops so much for PCNS' work for last 5 months. Now as they are not stopping drones what does our govt plan to do?
Uncle sam please do the world and pakistan a favour and extend drone strikes to the inner cities where known extremists are living in full knowledge of the authorities. The attack on our soldiers was a terrible incident and i condemn it but why dont we pakistanis condemn the taliban for killing our soldiers on a almost daily basis.?
What most of us in Pakistan fail to realize is that more Pakistani's have been killed at the hands of these extremists than foreigners. Extremists are no ones' friends. Their extreme interpretation of the Quran and their actions barely qualify them as Muslims. The US is doing Pakistan a favor by killing these people off. We do not have to have blood on our hands, nor do we risk the lives of our own soldiers. My humble opinion, restrict US drones to high value targets with the stipulation that they share the intelligence post attack with us. Also, create joint Pak-US assault teams to engage lower level targets, thus allowing us to do some or own dirty work and get better trained at how to do it in the future. The idea of a friendly extremist force to fight a proxy war for us with India is nice on paper but ugly in reality, remember the Mujaheddin that went on to become the Taliban? The only threat we face from India is economic and we are letting them win that war because we refuse to see the big picture. India needs gas from Iran. India, Afghanistan and China need Pak ports for access to the Arabian Sea. India needs food grown in Pak. Pak needs money, Pak needs low priced fuel efficient cars, Pak needs electricity, all of which can come from India. just a thought!
Pakistan can stop the drone attacks anytime it wants to by taking control of it's territory.
This is single front on which American are successfully fighting against freedom fighters. The fact is that other all fronts they have lost and seeking ways out. Pakistan's demand is fully justified because innocent people are being targeted with suspicious persons but United would never accept this demand.
Government of Pakistan is facing huge pressure in this regard which has blackened the future of relations between the two countries.
@Mirza : So true.
This government has no "Bulls" to stop drones. Keep writing all you want !!
Unless Pakistani army establishes its writ in the lawless areas and eliminate the extremists and global jihadists, the US should continue the targeted attacks to protect poor civilians from their atrocities and suicide bombings. Thanks a lot Uncle Sam, we appreciate it immensely.
USA shall never accept the proposal of stopping drones attacks on Pakistan.Now this US' leaders' intention has been clearly defined and described by this statement and Pakistani leaders you must have to keep in your minds firmly and strongly whatever you do because this is bitter and harsh reality that the beggars and slaves can never be the choosers or owners.