Every year we give these people billions of dollars in aid.

ISLAMABAD, June 10: The first parliamentary clash between the ruling PML-N and the opposition PTI will likely be over a resolution submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat by the latter on Monday, calling upon the government to use military force, if needed, to halt drone strikes in the tribal areas.

Terming the resolution submitted by Dr Shireen Mazari of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf a “premature” move, a PML-N member of the federal cabinet categorically said it could not be passed in its present form and the opposition party would have to amend it with mutual consent for the purpose.

“We also want to stop drone attacks, but not through the use of military force because it can have serious and dangerous consequences,” Minister of State Khurram Dastagir Khan said.

He said such a decision could affect the country’s defence relationship with then US which was providing assistance to Pakistan in the sector. He said the country was getting very little US assistance for civilian purposes.

“The use of military force could be an option, but only after exhausting all diplomatic means.”

The government, Mr Dastagir added, had already lodged a protest with the US over a recent drone strike. Saying that drone strikes were unjustified, the minister said the focus of the PTI’s foreign policy was mainly on drone strikes whereas the PML-N considered it a “small part” in the Pakistan-US relationship.