ISLAMABAD, March 20: Germany on Friday backed Pakistan’s position on US drone attacks, saying it too had “apprehensions about the strategy”.

German Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Bernd Mutzelburg said during a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi that his country had full understanding of Pakistan’s concerns.

The support from Germany which is the third largest troop contributing nation in Afghanistan, is being considered significant in view of reports that the US is planning to expand the area of its drone attacks.

Mr Qureshi explained to the German envoy that drone attacks were counter-productive for they harmed Pakistan’s efforts aimed at winning hearts and minds of tribal people.

Mr Mutzelburg also supported Pakistan’s stance that force alone could not resolve the situation in Afghanistan and a holistic approach was required to deal with terrorism. Mr Qureshi and Mr Mutzelburg agreed that a policy of development, dialogue and reconciliation should be pursued vigorously for viable peace in the region. —Baqir Sajjad Syed
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