ISLAMABAD — Pakistani lawmakers on Tuesday took aim at one of the most potent U.S. weapons against militants, recommending that a cessation of drone missile strikes in their country’s volatile tribal areas be part of a blueprint to end a four-month freeze in relations between Washington and Islamabad.
So far, however, Pakistani officials have yet to explain what they would do if the U.S. ignored the demand.
The recommendation to the full parliament was one of a series of measures taken up at a joint session of lawmakers as they began a long-awaited debate on ground rules that Pakistan says should frame its future alliance with Washington. Parliament in turn will make a nonbinding recommendation to the government.
Ties between the U.S. and Pakistan have been on hold since Nov. 26, when errant U.S. airstrikes along the Afghan border killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
While lawmakers will likely approve the new set of ground rules for U.S.-Pakistan relations, the Pakistani military remains the ultimate arbiter over foreign-policy matters.
Los Angeles Times
