Jamshed Ahmed Khan:
The United States and its allies have consistently been attacks against Taliban and Al Qaeda in the Pakistan tribal areas along with Afghan border, U.S and its ally’s uses drones as decisive weapons. The 1st drone attack happened on 18 June 2004 at Waziristan “WANA”. 5 people including Nek Mohammad Wazir were killed in that strike, Nek Mohammad Wazir was a tribal military leader.
At the time of his death, he was accused of having provided a safe haven for Taliban and al Qaeda fighters.
After the 1st drone strike, U.S increases their strikes with the passage of time against the suspected militants of Al Qaeda and Thereek-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP). Though its (drone strikes) works with successive result for the U.S, but on the other hand its (drone strikes) strengthened the anti-American thoughts and believes in Pakistani people especially in FATA and KPK.2010 was the year in which U.S attacked the biggest numbers of drone air strikes, this year the number of attacks were 118, nearly 1000 people were killed and thousands of people were injured in those strikes. The continuity of U.S drones are on the way in the current year 2011, this year the drone hits different parts of Pakistani tribal areas for nearly 60 times, during this year’s attacks more 450 people killed and more than thousand have been injured. According to a short history of drones in Pakistani tribal areas, 2005 two attacks with the killing of 7 suspected militants. 2006 two attacks and more than 20 killings. 2007 four strikes and 77 killed. 2008 was the years in which such attacks raised a lot for the 1st time, the total of attacks in 2008 were 33 and during those attacks, more than 300 people have been killed. In 2009 the total numbers of attacks were 53 and during those attacks, nearly 750 people were killed.
In all over Pakistan, there are different opinions about the U.S drone strikes, the majority of the people in Pakistan are completely against these attacks, overall perception in Pakistan about such strikes “Drone strikes cause collateral damage. A few militants are killed, but the majority of victims are innocent citizens,” The most political parties especially Imran khan’s- Tehreek-e-Insaf, including civil society activists are also against such attacks by U.S, they say that such attacks are on the sovereignty of Pakistan. It is to be clear that Imran Khan is the 1st ever political leader who is continuously working against drone strikes. But on the other hand the Pakistani officials and authorities are having a dual philosophy, in front of the people they strongly condemn and criticize these attacks but in reality, they are in the favor of drone strikes. According to secret cables leaked by Wikileaks Pakistan’s Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani not only tacitly agreed to the drone flights but in 2008 requested Americans to increase them. And the statement about drone attacks of President Zardari is also on the record in which he said that they don’t care about the collateral damages.
Though Pakistan and U.S are the most important allies of the ongoing so-called war on terror, this it is clear that both of them are not trusting of each other, they have so many ifs and buts for each other. According to recent news, U.S stated clearly to Pakistan authorities to takes actions against the Taliban who are attacking U.S and NATO in Afghanistan. And the U.S blaming Pakistan secret agency ISI for the support of HAQANI network Taliban. U.S clearly threatening Pakistan to takes actions against the HAQANI network otherwise U.S is ready to launch offense on Pakistani soil, no doubt if U.S attacks Pakistan it will make more trouble for them and it will strengthen anti-American thoughts and beliefs in Pakistan.