Pakistan on Wednesday asked the US to immediately stop missile attacks by drones in its tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, saying they amounted to a violation of the country's sovereignty.
US Ambassador Anne Patterson was summoned to the Pakistan foreign office and a strong protest was lodged against the "continued missile attacks by US drones inside Pakistani territory," an official statement said.
"It was underscored to the ambassador that the government of Pakistan strongly condemns the missile attacks which resulted in the loss of precious lives and property," said the statement issued by the Pakistan foreign office.
"It was emphasised that such attacks were a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and should be stopped immediately. The attacks also undermine public support for the government's counter-terrorism
efforts," it said.
A copy of a resolution condemning the missile strikes adopted by the Senate or upper house of parliament on October 27, was handed over to the US envoy.
According to statistics provided in the Senate, 70 cross-border strikes were carried out in the tribal areas over the past two years and 34 of them occurred in the past seven months. These attacks have killed hundreds of people and injured scores, the government said.
The resolution adopted unanimously by the Senate strongly condemned the missile attacks by US drones. Pakistan People's Party leader Raza Rabbani, the leader of the house in the Senate, moved the resolution.