Nawaz govt mulling eliminating 'terrorist sanctuaries' in trade-off with US to end drone strikes

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is offering to eliminate 'terrorist sanctuaries' from the tribal areas itself in an effort to persuade the U.S. to end drone strikes on Pakistan.

A senior PML-N leader engaged in foreign policy matters said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will soon inform Washington that his government is ready to address US concerns about terrorist threats in Pakistan's tribal region in return to end the CIA-piloted drone campaign.

He added that the government was opposed to unilateral strikes on Pakistan and hence would urge Washington to put an end to the campaign.

According to Express Tribune, the ruling party members, on condition of anonymity, explained that the newly-elected PML-N government was working on a new anti-terror strategy.

He added that the strategy not only opposes drone attacks, but all elements violating the country's sovereignty by keeping safe havens on territory.

Last week, in his victory speech soon after his election as the country's Prime Minister, although Nawaz called for an immediate end to drone attacks.

Pakistan and the United States will hear each others' concerns later this month when Secretary of State John Kerry travels to Islamabad, the report added.