Pakistan Envoy To US Calls For End To drone Strikes

Islamabad, July 29, IRNA – Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States has called for an end to US drone strikes ahead of an intelligence summit in Washington between the two countries next week, a media report said on Saturday. Daily ‘Dawn’ reported that Ambassador Sherry Rehman has said the drone attacks succeeded in damaging al Qaeda but are now only serving to recruit new militants. “We will seek an end to drone strikes and there will be no compromise on that,” she added. Sherry Rehman defended Pakistan’s arrest of Dr. Shakil Afridi, who has been sentenced to more than three decades in prison for aiding the CIA in tracking down bin Laden by conducting a vaccine program in the military town. US lawmakers have threatened to halt millions of dollars in aid to Pakistan if Afridi is not released, in recognition of his contribution to helping track down bin Laden. Sherry Rehman also dismissed as ”outrageous” a claim by some lawmakers that Pakistan is harboring al Qaeda or other militants who intend to harm the US. She said Pakistan’s army was working hard to combat the militants, including reporting 52 times to NATO in recent months when militants were spotted crossing into Afghan territory./end