ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has condemned the US drone strike near Miramshah in North Waziristan in which several people were killed on Saturday.

“Pakistan regards such strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. As has been made clear on earlier occasions also, these strikes have a negative impact on the government’s efforts to bring peace and stability in Pakistan and the region,” the ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement.

This was the second drone attack in the area this week.

Drone strike kills eight suspected militants in North Waziristan

Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam had refused to comment on an impression that the US strikes had a tacit approval of Pakistan, saying the country’s position on the issue was very clear.

Pakistan keeps on protesting against US drone strikes which have been targeting militants in its tribal areas close to the border with Afghanistan since 2004, terming them a violation of its sovereignty. The country has said on many occasions that these strikes have a negative impact on its efforts to bring peace to the region.

The US had suspended drone strikes for around six months when Pakistan was pursuing peace talks with the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan but resumed the attacks last month after the dialogue remained inconclusive.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2014