Sir: In the backdrop of the NATO airstrikes on Salala check post on November 26, 2011 that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, it is quite evident from history that the anger of the weaker one has to face the worst insult and the same is the case with Pakistan. The US has sabotaged the resolution of Pakistan’s elected parliament. It was expected to because the White House had given clear indications after the passing of the PCNS resolution, calling for an end to drone attacks. Even though the US was willing to address Pakistan’s concerns on certain issues, it was highly unlikely that the Obama administration would revisit its CIA-piloted drone campaign in the tribal regions. The fact is that the US can accommodate Pakistan’s concerns by reviewing the mechanism under which the drones operate but it seems highly unlikely at this stage that the entire campaign is brought to a halt. This is not to prove that the US is always right in every case, but the drone issue is also more enigmatic than any other issue when we talk about US-Pakistan relations or the so-called re-engagement of ties on new terms and conditions. According to our military officials, drone attacks are necessary for eradicating terrorism in the region. In March 2011, Major General Ghayur Mehmood, in charge of troops in North Waziristan, had unveiled the truth about drone attacks. Briefing journalists in Miram Shah, he said that “many of those being killed in these strikes are hardcore elements, a sizable number of them foreigners.” He also conceded that there had been a few civilian casualties. This is our military’s official version, but the question that arises here is, knowing all these facts, why does the Pakistan military seem to be reluctant to give the go-ahead for more drone attacks? The answer is very simple: the US is still not agreed to equip Pakistan’s armed forces with this sophisticated technology. Another fact is that no one can deny that drones have become more crucial than ever in fighting wars and terrorism. The CIA reportedly spied on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan by video transmitted from a drone. One of Pakistan’s most wanted militants, Ilyas Kashmiri, was reported dead in June 2011. According to a report released by an independent London-based group of investigative journalists in October, at least 2,318 people and a maximum of 2,912 people, the majority of them alleged militants, have been killed in these attacks. Between 386 and 775 civilians, including 173 children, were killed in the 300 drone attacks since June 17, 2004. The report says that between that 1,141 and 1,225 persons were injured. This research data shows that only 15 percent of the civilians were killed in drone attacks and they happened to be supporters of terrorists, to whom they had given shelter. Drone attacks are not against Pakistan’s interests. Our main issue is suicide bombers and growing militancy. Al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists have killed thousands of our military and police officials, as well as political leaders and innocent civilians, through suicide attacks. It is quite incredible that everybody talks about the US drone attacks, but nobody talks about these suicide attacks. In fact, drone attacks are necessary for eliminating the enemies of our beloved homeland Pakistan. Therefore, the US should equip Pakistan’s armed forces with this sophisticated technology. The PCNS recommendations should have been drafted on these lines, but it is very unfortunate that all was done with a non-serious attitude of the legislators. One would be amazed to know that during the debate over the PCNS recommendations, 94 percent of legislators remained silent, when the matter of the US-Pakistan ties was discussed. When a dominant majority of 94 percent of legislators do not like to talk about this issue then who made a serious faux pas of the PCNS resolution? Such serious blunders could push Pakistan into a state of isolation in the long run. DR SAIFUR REHMAN Islamabad