Islamabad to acquire drone technology

Islamabad: Pakistan is all set to acquire the technology for drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) from the US, Interior Minister Rahman Malek said.

"The US administration has agreed in principle to provide Pakistan with the drone technology and we will get it soon," Malek told media after meeting the visiting US Homeland Secretary, Janet Napolitano.

There have been numerous attacks on the Pakistani tribal areas throughout the past many months by US srones which fly from bases in neighbouring Afghanistan. Pakistan's political and military leadership have always condemned the attacks which have resulted in an alarmingly high civilian casualties, but have never taken any concrete measure to stop the aggression or to raise the issue at any international forum.

The Pakistan Interior Minister, however, made it clear that his country was not being given any orders by the US administration regarding the current military operation in Swat and other tribal areas.

"The Americans are admiring our actions against terrorists and militants and are ready to help in any way we want," Malek said.

"Osama Bin Laden is not in Pakistan and [we] will eliminate the handful of terrorist leaders operating in our country," he added.

Malek said the Pakistan authorities spoke to the US on the drone technology issue and other aspects of cooperation on intelligence sharing between the two countries. "Pakistan and the US have agreed to put up new initiatives to fight terrorism," he added.

Recent US media reports suggest that the American administration may not be happy with the timing of the South Waziristan military operation, launched in the end of June by the Pakistan military, even as it is about to complete a comprehensive operation against Taliban militants in restive Swat valley.

Pakistan's military offensive against Pakistan Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud coincides with the biggest military operation by the US forces in Afghanistan.