Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
^ hope nothing happens, otherwise being a political party some one else should step in his shoes but the party might not remain the same. He doesn't have a Bilawal or shahbaz sharif in his party.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
I have a question.
God forbid, if something should happen to IK, what do you see the future of Pakistan ?
Are there other like-minded people who could carry his legacy forward or will this movement for change and a better Pakistan die with one man. :(
There are people who can hold his flag and lead his mission, but no one has his charisma. He is an irreplaceable godsend.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
Doing something practical for the innocence people who get killed in drone attacks is wrong? Can we think of something beyond political point-scoring?
I agree with you if drones attacks have not the approval of ISI and GHQ. This is not political point-scoring, but show the facts and intentions of so called savior of people of Waziristan, who wants to improve his political image by misguiding people.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
It seems Ch Nisar is also worried as to why IK has gone to SWA instead of NWA, maybe NS and company can schedule a visit to NWA instead. PML-Ns Nisar terms PTIs peace march another trick - geo.tv
In a statement issued here the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader alleged that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, General Shuja Pasha, was yet pulling the strings of PTI’s “tsunami”.
He said the unmanned spy planes were spitting all the fire on North Waziristan but Imran Khan and company were going South to everyone’s astonishment.
“It baffles me as to what Imran Khan is up to. It appears as if he was afraid of going to the real warzone”, the PML-N leader said.
Am I missing something, has PMLN come up with solution to any of the problems Ch sahab has mentioned?
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
I read that his original plans were to go to North Waziristan where most drone strikes are happening. But now he is going to South Waziristan. Why?
And why did he choose to go to a small town of Kotkai? Is there anything special about it?
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
^ the situation in north waziristan is more precarious I believe, kotkai it seems is closer to tank and should be much more secure. The march is more symbolic, and it's main purpose was to initiate a debate on the international level on drones and this has been achieved even before entering FATA. Secondly this can be used to give the tribals the confidence that the rest if the country has not forsaken them, and maybe in the future can be used to initiate political reforms there and bringing them in the mainstream. The role of JUI-F has been really negative in all of this.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
I once saw his interview where he said that his government would be able to solve Taliban insurgency because Taliban will trust his government more than PPP’s due to his anti-American stance.
When I saw it I thought what a BS this simpleton is espousing. And I couldn’t believe the interviewer fell for this simplistic argument, and did not pursue him any further.
Now it is proven that the above argument from Imran was flawed. He can’t solve Taliban problem. With all his support to Taliban and statements against America, Taliban have declared that they still consider “secular” Imran their enemy and cannot guarantee his security if he comes to FATA.
Taliban decline to provide security to
This statement from Taliban proves once again that extremists’ war on Pakistan is not because of America. Their war will continue with or without America. Their aim is actually to overpower Pakistani state, get rid of democracy and install an amirul momineen here.
I am sorry to say that people who buy Imran’s argument of ‘this is America’s war’ are as naive as Imran. This was always our war, and this will remain our war with or without America.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
and it's main purpose was to initiate a debate on the international level on drones and this has been achieved even before entering FATA.
I don't think such a debate will make drone strikes stop.
[quote]
Secondly this can be used to give the tribals the confidence that the rest if the country has not forsaken them,
[/quote]
If this is the purpose then such rallies should go to Parachinar where people have been cut out from the rest of the country by Taliban extremists since many years.
But I guess that would not be a politically expedient move. Raising voice against Taliban and in favor of a minority won't help him win votes.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
At the very least, this rally has made it clear to the americans that if Imran is in power, they will not have have Pak govt support for drone strikes any more, as they do now. They will not have a puppet government, and that could result in a lot of problems for them. The opposition role has been extremely lame in this so far. Ghafoor Haidery of JUI was on TV yesterday, calling it a jewish conspiracy, at one time, even bringing in Imran's ex-wife into the discussion. Reminded me of this forum.
The procession/cars are being stopped the the entry point for Tank, at Manjhikhel checkpost. A very political move by the administration....otherwise, security should have been as much an issue throughout the procession route. People are saying that the procession might ditch the cars and continue on foot onwards. A very impressive procession indeed. A slap in the face of our government, who hasnt had the guts to visit the place even once.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
^ JUI is feeling threatened, as they have been fooling the masses in DI Khan, Tank in the name of islam therefore their behavior but they need to keep in mind that these things are not working anymore.
Anyways, statements against this rally have come from JUI-F, ANP, PMLN, MQM, taleban. Unanimity of opinion between the liberals and extremists for the first time. The media most of it including the rightists and the so called liberals are against the march. Has Imran Khan hit the raw nerve?
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
I believe the participants have reached Tank, Kotkai should be another 67 kilometers away.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
I don't think such a debate will make drone strikes stop.
If this is the purpose then such rallies should go to Parachinar where people have been cut out from the rest of the country by Taliban extremists since many years.
But I guess that would not be a politically expedient move. Raising voice against Taliban and in favor of a minority won't help him win votes.
The drone issue has been internationalized at least.
As far as Parachinar is concerned, I agree their plight needs to be addressed as well. I dont think that this should be taken in the context of votes, the country needs peace too, the army and the government has run out of options in the "WOT".
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
Drone protest heads to tribal belt - World news, News - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Thousands of Pakistanis, joined by US anti-war activists, are heading towards a militant-riddled tribal region to protest against US drone strikes despite threats of suicide attacks by the Pakistani Taliban.
After an overnight stay, the motorcade led by cricketer turned politician Imran Khan departed for the town of Tank near the tribal belt.
The US says its drone strikes are aimed at militants, but Pakistan claims they violate its sovereignty and kill civilians.
Video on Pakistani media showed barricades with hundreds of police in riot gear. It appeared unlikely the protesters would be allowed to reach South Waziristan for a rally.
In a televised speech, Mr Khan thanked his supporters and the US group, declaring they achieved their goal of sending a message to the world against drone strikes.
Read more: Drone protest heads to tribal belt - World news, News - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/643977_466284180060334_1882419841_n.jpg
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
Considering the hurdles the government of KP has been putting in the route of the march, I dont think it would have been possible for him to go to NWA even if he wanted to.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
PMLN these days is championing the cause of the liberals… 
Khurram Dastgir-Khan @kdastgirkhan](https://twitter.com/kdastgirkhan)
**“Why I’m not leading march against terrorists violating Pak sovereignty, while I’m leading march against drones violating our sovereignty”
**Khurram Dastgir-Khan @kdastgirkhan](https://twitter.com/kdastgirkhan)
**“Nobody’s asked me why I’m not protesting about civilian casualties in Pak F-16 bombings & only about civilian casualties in drone bombings”
I wonder what his leader meant by this statement:
**Shahbaz urges Germany to help promote peace in region | Business Recorder
He said that there is no difference between terrorism and drone missiles, as both are spilling the blood of innocent people. He said that drone attacks are not beneficial at all, but, instead, have become the source of anti-American sentiment in the area. He said that friendly countries ought to help Pakistan in stopping the drone attacks.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
He is man of his word…:k:
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
It obviously would be in headlines. But just because it is in international news, doesn’t mean it will help resolve the drone issue at all. It’s negative publicity.
purpose is not to solve the problem but to speak people’s mind and collect votes. This is just topi drama. This fact is proven when we see that Imran is talking BS during this rally. He is accusing Zardari of planning to kill him through suicide bombers. And says that he has no threat from Taliban. That is preposterous but politically expedient talk. Because people in KPK and Punjab dislike PPP.
Imran doesn’t walk to solve drone issue. All he is interested in is speaking people’s mind and thus gain their votes.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\10\07\story_7-10-2012_pg1_1
“They are saying that Taliban have sent nine suicide attackers. If (President Asif Ali) Zardari sends even a 100 suicide attackers this march will not stop,” added Imran.
Re: Peace overture: PTI caravan for Waziristan
Drones have been very helpful in eliminating worst of Pakistan's enemies. If they are also resulting in deaths of civilians then the solution is to work with the US and improve intelligence.