THE government has once again asked the United States to stop the drone attacks in Pakistan’s tribal regions. … Drone attacks have caused serious problems for the people, both in the tribal and settled areas, as agreements with the [Pakistani] Taliban have not succeeded in the past due to the strikes.

The Shakai agreement during the Pervez Musharraf regime and another agreement with the Taliban during the Awami National Party’s provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not succeed due to the frequent drone attacks. These attacks are not only against the sovereignty of our country but also a sheer violation of our airspace and they target only innocent people. … The National Assembly, Senate and all provincial assemblies have passed resolutions unanimously against the drone attacks, but the US has not paid any heed to the emotions of the nation.

The law and order situation in our country has worsened since the start of drone attacks. … The US has no sympathies with the victims. … Now our government … has initiated negotiations with the Taliban hoping to convince them to restore peace in the country. The period of talks is a golden chance for the US to stop the drone attacks so that the representative committees of the Taliban and the government can reach a consensus on the restoration of peace. … If drone attacks continue, the people will suffer and the menace of terrorism will spread. …— (Feb 13)

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.