US lawmakers reject Pak parliamentary panel's anti-drone recommendations

Washington, Mar 22(ANI): American lawmakers have rejected Pakistan's demand to end drone strikes in that country.

Pakistan's Parliamentary Committee on National Security has slammed drone attacks as "counterproductive", saying that the strikes radicalise local population, create support for terrorists, and ignite anti-American sentiment and had demanded an end to US military strikes.

"The drone strikes are critically important to America's national security. So obviously I do not believe that they should stop," The Express Tribune quoted Senator Joe Lieberman, as saying.The drones are needed because of the absence of a more aggressive effort by Pakistan to root out terrorists and radical militants," Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Dianne Feinstein said.

"I think the key is that Pakistan should take out all those terrorist leaders from North Waziristan who are fueling and leading attacks against our troops in Afghanistan.I think that is an unresolved issue, if Pakistan takes action and shut down bomb factories and go after the [terrorist] leadership - then drones are not necessary," he added.

Drone attacks in Pakistan began under former US President George W Bush's tenure but expanded significantly under President Barack Obama's administration. (ANI)