LHC dismisses petition against US drone attacks

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition against US drone attacks in Pakistan, which had asked for a ban on them in the absence of an “agreement or treaty” by the government over the attacks.

The petition was moved by Sardar Zaheer Ahmad, in which he requested that the Pakistan government should be directed to submit the report.

He had also sought directions for the government to get a first information report registered against US President Barack Obama, and those responsible for the “murders of innocent people by drone attacks in Pakistan”, The Daily Times reports.

Earlier, the court had directed the government to take strict measures to halt the US drone attacks, if they were without the government’s permission.

The court had ordered this while hearing a petition filed by local resident Sardar Aziz against the US’ incessant and alarmingly rising drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal belt.

The petitioner stated in his plea that drone attacks were against the politics and sovereignty of Pakistan, which have resulted in causalities of hundreds of innocent tribesmen.

Over 900 people have been killed in nearly 200 missile attacks in the troubled northwest tribal areas of Pakistan since 2008.

Earlier, on Tuesday, several Punjabi Taliban were among 10 extremists killed in a drone attack is South Waziristan.

US drones had fired two missiles at a house, supposedly a militants hideout, in Karikot village, situated seven kilometres from Wana, the main town in South Waziristan.

According to intelligence officials, the house was frequented by Al Qaeda commanders and was being used by the Punjabi Taliban. (ANI)