Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari yesterday said the United States drone raids on Pakistani territory should be stopped, describing them as counter-productive, private TV channel Geo reported.

Zardari met Commander of the United States Central Command General David Howell Petraeus and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher here at the President House, said the report.

He said, "Continuing drone attacks on our territory, which result in loss of precious lives and property, are counterproductive and difficult to explain by a democratically elected government. It is creating a credibility gap."

Zardari said that the US leadership has affirmed respect for Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, in the wake of drone attacks on Pakistani side of the border the government was under pressure to react more aggressively, he added.

Pakistan's tribal areas have witnesses missile attacks launched by suspected US drones and Pakistan has lodged protest and condemnation about the attacks to the US.

Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Salman Bashir, US Ambassador Anne W Patterson and senior civil and military officials from the two sides were also present at the meeting.