'And they are counterproductive because they are killing civilians and turning locals against our government. We try to win people's hearts, then one drone attack drives them away.'

The newspaper report said Pakistan's military admitted being helped by the US surveillance flights over the tribal areas as well as the Swat region, where thousands of troops have been fighting Taliban militants, forcing more than two million people to flee.

Malik further said Pakistan's efforts to fight the Taliban were hampered by the 'failure of American and British troops in Afghanistan to monitor their side'.

'Two years ago we were being criticised by the West for our ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence agency) helping the Taliban cross into Afghanistan.

'Now we're finding the same situation - they're coming from the other side, bringing arms and fighters from Helmand into Baluchistan and into Waziristan. Should we say it's Afghan or western intelligence helping them,' said Malik.