Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has expressed concern over the US assassination drone strikes in her country, describing them as “counter-productive.”

“We repeatedly have raised our concerns on the US drone strikes which are proving counterproductive …,” Pakistani Foreign Minister said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Referring to thousands of Pakistani civilians who were killed by CIA-operated drones in recent years, she went on to say that “We will take up drone attacks issue with Washington and its ambassador to Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s tribal regions are attacked by US terror drones almost regularly, with Washington claiming that militants are the targets. However, casualty figures clearly indicate that civilians are the main victims.

Despite Pakistan’s repeated calls on the US to end the drone attacks, the US government continues its deadly strikes on the country’s tribal belt.

The killing of Pakistani civilians, including women and children, has also strained relations between Islamabad and Washington.

In December, 2012 Pakistan’s Jama’at ud-Da’wah political group took legal action against the ongoing drone attacks. The group said despite a resolution passed by the Pakistani parliament in condemnation of the US attacks, the drone strikes continue to claim the lives of civilians.

Moreover, the Lahore High Court urged the Pakistani government on November 3, 2012 to immediately respond to the group’s petition.

Over the past few months, massive protests have also been staged across Pakistan to condemn the United States for violating the country’s sovereignty.

MAM/PKH