Imran Khan vows to lead South Waziristan peace-march

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that he would lead a rally against US drone attacks towards South Waziristan despite a denial from the local administration.

While speaking to a private TV channel, the cricketer-turned-politician said that tribal people will not only be alongside the state but will also provide solution to militancy if end of the military operation is announced.

He noted, “Mehsud, Burki and Bhittani tribes of Waziristan have welcomed the peace rally. The tribal leaders had also assured the security of the participants of the rally.”

The former skipper further said that he had received a message from TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) assuring that they will not disrupt the PTI’s peace march towards South Waziristan.

Khan added more than 200 journalists from west will go along with peace rally, adding that they would help in raising voices against drone strikes.

In reply to a question, he said the participants will come back before night as he doesn’t want to put the lives of his guests into trouble.

The former cricketer added that the parties sitting in parliament are feared of peace march, adding that Fazlur Rehman was delivering speeches against his party in the troubled region.

He had announced to take out a rally to South Waziristan against the US drone attacks along with thousands of people, including international civil society activists.

The PTI leader said that tribesmen have welcomed the peace march and there is no reason why the administration should try to stop it.

The marchers will begin journey from Islamabad on October 6 in the morning and will have a night stay in the city of Dera Ismail Khan.

It will resume march on October 7 in the morning and will reach Kotkai, a small town at the entrance of the tribal region.

Khan requested the South Waziristan administration not to create hindrance for a historic march that is having repercussion internationally and is only designed to protest the barbarity of the drone attacks and express solidarity with the people of tribal areas.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=33571

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Oct 3 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.