Our valiant soldiers are making great sacrifices in fighting the terrorists. They need all the help and equipment they can get but our non-NATO ally is not offering anything beyond promises of some drones in about a years time, if at all. Even if we get this hardware (after having fought the war with out it for a year?), the drones we finally get would likely be the surveillance type with no capability of firing missiles. That is of no use in any kind of warfare. It is surprising that our civilian leadership cannot see through the bogusness of it all. They are still waxing eloquent about the sincerity and commitment of US with us? The recent strategic dialogue with Washington brought us nothing tangible except vague promises of insignificant nature but that has not dented the unshakable faith of our leaders in the unlimited blessings of Washingtons friendship. I am sure if the Armed Forces of Pakistan had the drones of the armed-to-fire variety, they would have completely changed course of the war by carrying out surgical operations in tribal hinterland to avoid high toll of life and property destruction that is causing so much misery and anger in these areas. Now that the Americans have told us in no uncertain terms that we are not going to have the drones, or at least not in the near future, I think we should consider looking at the Iranian drones on offer. Iranians have the technology to produce the armed-to-fire drones and would be willing to help us out. It is no good keep looking towards America now. -S. R. H. HASHMI, Karachi, March 31.