Pakistan demands complete halt to US drone strikes

Pakistan said Thursday it wanted complete halt to the American drone attacks instead of decrease in the frequency. The comments from the Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam came after U.S. media reported that the Obama administration has sharply curtailed drone strikes in Pakistan after a request from the government there for restraint as it pursues peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban. Talks between the negotiators from the Taliban-named team and Pakistan government started in Islamabad on Thursday to explore ways to end bloodshed in the country. Pakistan has earlier accused the U.S. of sabotaging its peace talks with the Taliban after an American drone attack killed the Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud in November 2013. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, commenting on a report by The Washington Post that the U.S. has decreased drone attacks in Pakistan, said her country wanted a complete end to these attacks. "Pakistan's stance over drone strikes is lucid that they are unacceptable as they kill innocent people and are in violation of Pakistan's sovereignty," she told weekly press briefing. She said that Pakistan has consistently discussed this issue with the United States and demanded that these violations of territory should stop. Commenting on negotiation with the Taliban, she said it is internal issue of Pakistan.