Pakistani MPs demand end to US drone strikes

A Pakistani parliamentary commission yesterday demanded an end to drone attacks inside the country and an apology for deadly air strikes last year as part of a review of its near-severed relations with the US.

The review was set up after air strikes four months ago killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, prompting Islamabad to close its border with Afghanistan to US and Nato supply lines.

The incident gave the army – under public pressure following the US raid on Osama bin Laden last year that was seen in Pakistan as a violation of sovereignty – a negotiating advantage in its turbulent relationship with Washington.

AP