US drone attacks continue despite protests in the National Assembly; Spate of violent incidents in tribal region; ‘Friends of Pakistan’ meet in Abu Dhabi
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  • Prime Minister Gilani, speaking at the National Assembly on November 20, termed the continuing US drone attacks in the NWFP as “intolerable1.” The Pakistani Foreign Office also reportedly sent a letter to the US Ambassador in Islamabad noting its concerns regarding this issue. However, the attacks continued with at least five people getting killed on November 222.

    The flurry of violent incidents across the country continued unabated. At least 16 militants, including a Lashkar commander, were killed in Khar on November 163. 44 Taliban were killed on November 20, over 10 of whom were reportedly ‘foreigners,’ in Khar/Mingora on November 420. Again in Bajaur Agency, 22 militants were killed and 5 injured near the Damadola area on November 215.

    Meanwhile, Gen. Kayani, at the NATO Defence Committee meeting in Brussels on November 19, urged NATO member countries to engage the Pashtun residents along the Pak-Afghan border in their security operations6. In other developments, ‘Friends of Pakistan’ group made up of 14 countries, including the US and Saudi Arabia, met in Abu Dhabi on November 17 to discuss strategies of helping Pakistan overcome the prevailing economic crisis as well as meet its energy requirements7.

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