By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday condemned U.S. missile attacks conducted on the Pakistani soil by unmanned drones as “intolerable”.
A U.S. drone fired missiles on a house in the Bannu district in Pakistan’s northwest Wednesday, killing at least six people.
Islamabad has repeatedly raised objections over U.S. missile strikes in the country’s tribal regions but Washington has now expanded strikes to the administrative areas and launched first attack in Bannu.
“We condemn such actions. These attacks are intolerable. They are counterproductive. They are increasing our difficulties,” Gilani told the National Assembly after members raised the issue of the Bannu attack.
Gilani also told the lower house of the parliament that there was no understanding with the United States over missiles attacks.
“Several members mentioned that there is any understanding with the U.S., I assure you there is no understanding and if any understanding reached with the U.S during the period of former President Pervez Mushahrraf period, there is no record with the Foreign Ministry and the government,” he said.
Gilani said he hoped that missile strikes on Pakistani areas would stop after new government takes charge.
“The U.S. government is in transition. It will take a few more weeks, that is why such actions are taking place,” he said.
“I am sure that when Senator Obama takes charge such actions will be controlled,” the prime minister said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign ministry has lodged a strong protest with the U.S. ambassador over the fresh missile attack, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad said in the National Assembly.
He said that the ministry summoned Ambassador Anne Patterson to underscore that such attacks violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and should be stopped immediately.