Gilani warns US on drone attacks

Yousuf Raza Gilani warned that any move by the US to expand its drone attacks from the tribal areas to Balochistan province will be 'highly counter-productive'.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday warned that any move by the US to expand its drone attacks from the tribal areas to Balochistan province will be “highly counter-productive” even as he sought more aid from the world community for the war against terror.

Gilani told the visiting US Joint Chiefs of Staff,

Admiral Michael Mullen,that “drone attacks in Balochistan would be highly counter-productive and would affect the government of Pakistan’s efforts to confront the challenge of terrorism”.

Pledges made earlier this year by the world community during a meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan grouping “should be fulfilled without any delay to enable Pakistan (to) fight militancy effectively”,the premier said.

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Pakistan also expects the US to make timely reimbursements of its claims under the Coalition Support Fund,he said.

Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani too was present at the meeting held this evening.

Recent media reports have suggested that the US administration is mulling the possibility of expanding drone attacks from Pakistans lawless tribal belt bordering Afghanistan to Balochistan province,which American diplomats have described as a haven for the Taliban and Al Qaida.