Pakistan conveys 'deep concerns' to the US over Hangu drone strike

Government demands 'immediate cessation' of drone strikes by US.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday conveyed its 'deep concerns' to the US over the drone strike on a religious seminary in Hangu on November 21, and demanded an 'immediate cessation' of attacks in the country.

"The Government of Pakistan has strongly condemned the US drone strike that took place in Hangu district of the K-P province on November 21, 2013," the adviser to prime minister on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Friday, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement added that Pakistan government's concerns were relayed to the US Ambassador in Islamabad on Thursday, and that it was reiterated such attacks were particularly worrying given Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif just spoke against the strikes to President Obama during their bilateral meeting in October.

"Our deep concern in this regard was conveyed by the Advisor to US Ambassador, adding that this has deeply disturbed the people of Pakistan," the statement read.

"The Government of Pakistan would demand immediate cessation of these drone strikes."