ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari condemned US drone strikes on Thursday and clarified to the Obama Administration that the US will have to end drone strikes in tribal regions.
In a meeting with a seven-member US delegation led by Congressman Rob Wittman, at the President House, Zardari said that the recent drone attack on a peace Jirga in North Waziristan was intolerable.
He also condemned the incident of deliberate desecration of the Holy Quran by what he described as a mentally sick person in Florida.
Zardari stressed the need for the United Nations and civilized nations to work out special plans for promoting cultural and religious harmony to arrest the decline of rationality and sanity.
He further said that the tendency of intolerance and disharmony were crossing national boundaries and religious divides and it was imperative for the world to act before it was too late.
The delegation appreciated the country's struggle against militancy and assured US continued support in this regard to the people and the Government of Pakistan.
Spokesperson to the President, Farhatullah Babar, after the meeting told the media persons that matters related to Pakistan-US bilateral relations, war against terrorism, drone attacks and energy requirements of Pakistan were discussed during the meeting.
Babar said that during the discussion the president said that there was an urgent need to review all such actions that are counter-productive in the ongoing war and create mistrust.
Zardari urged the visiting delegation to use their influence and assist Pakistan in getting enhanced market access for its products and also to expedite ROZs (Reconstruction Opportunity Zones) legislation.
