Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria on Thursday said that drone strikes are against Pakistan's sovereignty.

During the weekly news briefing, the spokesperson said that Pakistan's policy regarding drone strikes had always been clear.

The FO's statement came a day after a Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder jet shot down an unmanned Iranian drone allegedly on a spying mission in Balochistan's Panjgur area.

Officials said the drone was shot down after it had ventured "deep inside Pakistani airspace".

In a statement released hours after the drone was shot down on Wednesday, the FO said Islamabad had notified Tehran of the development.

US's hardening stance

During Thursday's briefing, the FO spokesperson refused to comment on foreign media reports that US President Donald Trump's administration was likely to toughen its policy on Pakistan.

Instead, the spokesperson said that Pakistan values its relationship with America and would work closely with the Trump administration.

Media reports have indicated that the Trump administration is exploring toughening its approach towards Pakistan to crack down on militants allegedly based in Pakistan and launching attacks in Afghanistan.

Potential Trump administration responses being discussed include expanding drone strikes, redirecting or withholding some aid to Pakistan and perhaps eventually downgrading its status as a major non-Nato ally, news reports quoting officials said.

In March, Washington, announcing the first budget after Trump entered the White House, had proposed a substantial cut in foreign aid to Pakistan.

Commenting on the budget cut during the briefing, the FO said that it was an "internal matter" for the US.

"Pakistan is taking action against all terrorist groups and is determined not to allow its soil to be used against any country," Zakaria said.

Earlier today, Pakistan also told the United Nations Security Council that terrorist “safe havens” are inside, not outside, Afghanistan.