US ambassador ‘justifies’ drone attacks in Pak as ‘part of war on terror’

LAHORE - The newly appointed US ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Phelps Munter, has termed drone attacks in its tribal region as part of their war on terror, as they are targeted against militants, a private TV channel has reported.

The ambassador also said that Pakistan was an important ally in the war against terror, and that the US acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by its Pakistani friends, the Daily Times reported.

He also assured the country of complete support in the ongoing war on terror, adding that instability in Afghanistan would harm Pakistan.

The envoy said that he would work on the partnership between the two countries to make sure that the relationship between the Pakistani and the American people was built on principles of mutual respect, the channel said.

Talking to journalists after visiting Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi, Munter said, “I want to strengthen the bilateral ties between the US and Pakistan.”

Responding to a question regarding the history of mistrust between the two nations, Munter said that this time, the US was committed by legislation to continue to support Pakistan under $7.5 billion 5-year Kerry-Lugar Bill.

To another question, he said that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in his visit to the United States, and his US counterpart Barack Obama during his visit to Pakistan, would focus on issues like TRIPS, FTA and reconstructive opportunity zones (ROZs). (ANI)