Pakistan lawmaker wants U.S. apology

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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 21 (UPI) -- A Pakistan lawmaker in Islamabad has called for an apology for a NATO airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last year.

Haji Adeel, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, said Wednesday the United States should "respect parliamentary resolutions and apologize for the Salala attack, besides taking concrete steps for putting the bilateral relationship on the right track," The Express Tribune reported.

Washington has expressed regret for the November attack but stopped short of an apology.

Adeel's comment came at the end of a two-day committee session.

"Pakistan places its bilateral relationship with the U.S. in high regard but it would never compromise on its sovereignty," Adeel said.

Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been strained over the attack and other issues. Pakistan has criticized the United States for using drones to target militants, and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has accused Pakistan of providing a haven for insurgents.

Adeel expressed support for Pakistan's demand for imposing charges for use of NATO supply routes through Pakistan to Afghanistan.