"US Drone Attacks in Pakistan: An International Law Perspective"
Dr Amna Mahmood, Dr Sadaf Farooq, Asia Karim

Abstract
Following the terrorist attacks in 2001, on the US territory, the US and its allies launched a Global War on Terror (GWOT) in Afghanistan. Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan became a battle ground being in the neighborhood of Afghanistan. These areas have been frequently attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), called Drones, by the NATO forces. Although these drone attacks are to target the terrorists stationed in FATA but a large number of civilians are the victim of these attacks, a cause of resentment in Pakistan. Being the partner in Global War on terror (GWOT) Pakistan government has to face strong criticism from media and people of Pakistan, questioning the legality of these drone attacks. This article focuses on the justification and legal position of Drone attacks within the boundaries of a sovereign state. It examines the legality of drone attacks under international law and the US domestic law. It concludes that Drone attacks are not supported by international law. They are also not justified under US domestic laws since Pakistan government never refused to take action against terrorists. Moreover there is no transparency in conduct of these drone attacks. In current scenario the US has lost all justification, if there would have ever been any, to continue these attacks because Pakistan army is conducting an aggressive military action against terrorist in FATA.

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