US has no permission to launch drone strikes: Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday categorically said there was no permission to the United States to launch any drone strike against any target inside Pakistan’s territory. “There is no such permission,” Gilani told a large group of Pakistani expatriates in Perth, Australia.The prime minister is here on a four-day visit to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, that is being attended by over 50 world leaders. The Prime Minister said such attacks were counterproductive because of the collateral damages caused as these were undermining government’s efforts to get the unanimous support of the masses against the extremists and terrorists.He said drone strikes were one of the reasons of tense relations between Pakistan and the United States of America.He said Pakistan has also conveyed to the United States that the unilateral military operation, such as the operation of May 2 to get Osama bin Laden, would not be acceptable.He said the terrorists were trying to hold the Pakistani nation hostage, but vowed that they will not succeed as the nation stand united not to allow them to play havoc with their collective destiny.