Pakistan seeks alternative to drone attacks

Zardari calls on US, Afghan forces to act as the anvil for Pakistan's hammer attacks on militants in border areas.

ISLAMABAD: Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday termed drone attacks in Pakistan as "counterproductive" and stressed the need for an alternate solution.     

The president while was addressing a delegation of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee in Islamabad voiced concerns over continued militant attacks on the Pakistani army and paramilitary troops from the Afghanistan side of the border.

Spokesperson to the president Farhatullah Babar stated that President Zardari emphasised the need for ISAF and Afghan security forces to cooperate with Pakistan to bring peace to the region.

President Zardari further informed the delegation that Pakistan has formulated a comprehensive strategy to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He sought the help of international partners for additional resources, including training, equipment, finances and provision of necessary assets to help Pakistan implement this strategy.

The recently passed Fair Trial Act would help in speedy and successful prosecution of terror culprits including those handling and transporting IEDs, the president added.

Zardari also stressed the need for ISAF and Afghan security forces in border areas on the Afghan side to provide the anvil to Pakistan's hammer operations.

The president also reiterated Pakistan's support to Afghan-led, and Afghan-owned peace process in Afghanistan and expressed support to the transition of security responsibilities from NATO to Afghan government by 2014 and termed the trilateral Summits between Pakistan, UK and Afghanistan as significant in the reconciliation process.

Khar satisfied with Pakistan-US relationship

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday expressed satisfaction on the current trajectory of relations between Pakistan and the US, hoping that the multifaceted relations would be further strengthened and deepened on the basis of common interest and mutual respect.

The foreign minister was talking to Chairman Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate Senator Robert Menendez, accompanied by the US Ambassador Richard Olson, who called on her.

Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest pertaining to bilateral relations, and regional issues including the situation in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister underscored the need for greater market access for Pakistan's exports and also flagged concerns on the drone attacks.

Khar briefed the US Senator on various initiatives that Pakistan had taken on the request of High Peace Council to facilitate peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Senator Menendez assured her that USCongress would continue to support democracy and assist the people of Pakistan in meeting their current challenges.