Pakistan summons U.S. diplomat to protest drone strikes

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned a senior U.S. diplomat Thursday to protest drone strikes in the country’s northwest tribal region near the Afghan border, reports note.

"A senior U.S. diplomat was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and informed that the drone strikes were unlawful, against international law and a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty," the ministry statement said, AFP reports.

Islamabad’s protest Thursday follows three drone attacks earlier this week in the North Waziristan tribal area, AP reports. The attacks killed at least 15 people since the start of the Muslim festival of Eid on Saturday, according another article.

U.S. drone strikes killed at least 957 people in Pakistan in 2010 alone, a UN report said, citing figures from the Pakistan Human Rights Commission.

U.S. officials show no sign of ramping down attacks, even amid questions over a lack of transparency of the drone programs. The Unmanned Systems Caucus -- a congressional network dedicated to the promotion of drones -- is drawing in scrutiny over its lobbying.