'US refuses to transfer drone tech to Pakistan'

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Islamabad – Islamabad and Washington are at odd over the US incessant drone strikes into Pakistani territory that analyst believed could influence Pakistan’s terror fight efforts and cause delay in launching an effective military operation in North Waziristan.
Well-placed military sources informed TheNation on Wednesday that US has refused to oblige its frontline ally in war against terror in transferring the drone technology capable of delivering weapons.
“Apart from other issues, the issue pertaining to transfer of requisite drone technology could cause delay in Pakistan’s launching of military operation in North Waziristan”, sources informed.
They were of the view that Pakistan has already mastered in developing indigenous drone technology largely capable for reconnaissance missions; therefore, it was imperative that US should give the most suited technology to Pakistan. Pakistan could do a lot more in effectively targeting terrorists with drones capable of delivering weapons than having hardware for mere reconnaissance purpose.
“Drones with weapon systems are imperative to meet Pakistan’s pressing needs in tackling low intensity conflict such as terrorism especially with back up intelligence support from US satellite network on Pak- Afghan border”, sources said.
They argued that Pakistan needed drone technology capable of both delivering variety of missiles as well as reconnaissance crucial tactical gains in mountain terrain like North Waziristan where analysts believed even high-powered combat helicopters would not be effective.
Some sources were of the opinion that the US authorities had made it clear to Pakistan that it should use the new state of the art fighter aircraft F-16 that the US would deliver to Pakistan in June for precision operations.
Pakistan would receive first four F-16 aircrafts next month of the total 18 to be delivered by the end of this year which are capable to carry out night precision missions.
But the analysts believed that despite having multipurpose capability, these aircraft might not prove effective in places like North Waziristan.
Moreover, they say the incessant US air campaign against the alleged Al-Qaeda and Taliban hideouts in Pakistan’s tribal region could cause serious political repercussions for Pakistan.
They were of the view that the PPP-led Government, which had evolved national consensus last year on national security would not be able to risk political implications of the continued US drone strikes in Pakistan on question of sovereignty of the State as well as of its Parliament.