A Pakistani drone victim family approaches U.S Congress

A school teacher, whose mother was killed in a US drone strike in North Waziristan last year, has urged the United States to end unmanned operations and help bring peace to the tribal areas through cooperative efforts with Pakistan.

Rafiq ur Rehman made the plea in a joint Congressional briefing, where his children nine-year-old daughter Nabila Rehman, and 13-year-old Zubair Rehman, who were both injured by the drone strike, also recounted their emotional experiences.

The family has travelled to Washington on the invitation of Congressman Alan Grayson, a Democrat from Florida, to provide their accounts of the attack that killed Rafiq's 67-year-old mother, Momina Bibi in North Waziristan, a year ago.

“Nobody has been able to explain why this drone hit our home,” Rehman told the hearing, also attended by other members of Congress. His mother, Rafiq ur Rehman explained since his mother’s death things had been very difficult.

He noted speaking through an interpreter, “In North Waziristan, people live under fear of drones. Drones are not the answer to any problems,” He added, “Justice must be delivered to those who have suffered as a result of drone attacks.”

The unprecedented briefing by survivors of drone hits took place amid international calls for greater transparency. Washington has defended its drone campaign, saying the counterterrorism actions are the least harmful and effective against militants.

If he has the opportunity to meet President Obama, he will ask him to "find a peaceful end to the war in my country, and end these drones," Rehman said at the briefing.

Rehman said he has seen people living peacefully in the United States and wants a similar peaceful environment in North Waziristan where he dreams his children would be able to complete their education and help rebuild Pakistan.