Pakistan summons US diplomat over drone strikes

Richard-HoaglandIslamabad, June 8 : The Pakistan Foreign Office Saturday summoned US Charge d' Affaires Richard Hoagland to lodge a strong protest on the US drone strike in North Waziristan Friday, authorities said.

Hoagland was summoned by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The US diplomat was handed a demarche in this regard.

At least seven people were killed Friday when the drone fired two missiles at a house in Miranshah town in North Waziristan, Geo News reported.

The foreign office was conveyed to the US official that Pakistan strongly condemns the drone strikes, and considers them a violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It said the Pakistani government has consistently maintained that drone strikes were counter-productive, lead to deaths of innocent civilians and have human rights and humanitarian implications.

The drone strikes have a negative impact on the mutual desire of both countries to forge a cordial and cooperative relationship and to ensure peace and stability in the region, the foreign office told the US diplomat. (IANS)