New PM Nawaz Sharif's government calls for end to drone strikes after nine people die in first attack since he took office

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

The prime minister of Pakistan has summoned the US ambassador in anger after an American drone attack killed nine people in North Waziristan.

The missile strike, on a compound near the Afghan border on Friday evening, was the first US drone attack in Pakistan since Nawaz Sharif was sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday. There was no information about the victims.

In his inaugural address, Sharif called for an immediate end to US drone strikes.

Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs said the demand for an immediate halt to the attacks was repeated on Saturday.

"It was conveyed to the US chargé d' affaires that the government of Pakistan strongly condemns the drone strikes, which are a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the ministry said in a statement.

"The importance of bringing an immediate end to drone strikes was emphasised."

The attack came 10 days after a similar US strike killed the Pakistani Taliban's second-in-command, Wali-ur-Rehman, and six others.

The US president, Barack Obama, said last month the US would reduce drone strikes, only using them when a threat was "continuing and imminent".