Pakistan demands drone technology from US
By IANSSunday, January 23, 2011
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Sunday said his country has asked the US to share its drone technology so as to enable Pakistan’s military to hit more militant hideouts on its own.
“We have asked the US to hand over the drone technology to us, so that we can carry out these strikes ourselves”, Gilani told reporters here.
Responding to a question about criticism against US drone attacks in Pakistan, he said: “We have our reservations on these attacks, which are proving counter-productive and promoting militancy in the country”.
As the prime minister was interacting with the media here, two separate drone attacks in Datta Khel area in northwestern Pakistan killed at least seven suspected militants.
Pakistani military establishment and foreign office have expressed strong reservations against such attacks earlier as well but situation has not changed, giving an impression to critics that there is a behind-the-scene understanding about it between the Pakistan and US administrations.
The US pilotless drones have been carrying out strikes in Pakistan,’s restive tribal region near Afghanistan border, targeting Al Qaeda and Taliban hideouts since 2004. Several high-profile targets, including former Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, have been killed in these attacks.
