PTI to demonstrate at UN headquarters against drone strikes: Imran Khan

Lahore: Pakistan Thereek-i-Insaf Chairman, Imran Khan in a press conference held today at the central Media Cell Lahore, said that,
PTI’s mission to Waziristan has achieved its objective. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) peace rally was thefirst of its kind following military operation in October 2009 in South Waziristan against the banned militant outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “Our mission has been successful. We have put the issue of drone attacks centre stage globally, with the international media focusing on it,” said Imran Khan, pointing out that among the participants were many foreign civil society members and media people including around 30 US citizens.
Imran Khan stated that the party has taken a consistent position against the CIA’s controversial drone war in Pakistan’s tribal areas and the sheer volume of the convoy that was lead to South Waziristan indeed represents the sentiments of an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis who see the relentless predator strikes on their soil as immoral, unethical and inhuman.
Imran Khan declared to launch a signature campaign through websites against the drone attacks on an international level, so as to challenge the illegal nature of the strikes. Khan also confirmed that a petition will be presented against the attacks to the UN in New York on the 26th of October 2012, as the strikes violate the UN Charter and that a peaceful demonstration will be held at the UN headquarters in New York against this heinous crime being committed against the innocent people of Waziristan.
PTI’s rally has been successful in further highlighting the insane use of mechanical weapons of destruction to carry out killings. The participation of members of American and other human rights groups in the march also helped draw international attention to the illegal drone campaign. He specifically thanked members of Code Pink and Clive Smith and appreciated their efforts immensely in spite of consistently being warned by the American ambassador himself, against accompanying the contingent.Speaking at the press conference, Khan said that instead of helping the participants of the peace march, government tried to scare them away with rumors of suicide attacks. “First it was said that there will be six suicide attacks, and then the number was raised to nine. There were even rumors that the drinking water in Waziristan has been poisoned.” He also congratulated each and every worker and supporter of PTI on the success of the Waziristan march. The march has reiterated that Imran Khan and the top leadership of PTI along with the workers are brave, patriotic Pakistanis. The Chairman lauded the historic welcome given to them by the tribesmen at Tank and stated that this is the first time that there is hope for peace. He said that it is imperative to regain the confidence of the people of this region to bring about a change and that is the only way forward to win this war against this illegal US policy. Imran Khan also specified that US presidential candidates have also condemned and commented on the excessive use of drones byPresident Obama.Talking to the media Imran Khan said that the government should have cooperated in making the peace march a success, adding that it was a great opportunity for the country to raise the drone issue on an international level but the government and other political parties lost the chance for sake of their personal interests. He criticized government for showing hypocrisy regarding the drone attacks and urged the rulers to speak truth to the people of Pakistan.Replying to a question put forward he said that there can only be two solutions a military solution which has been used and has failed miserably and a political solution which PTI has been stressing upon. In eight years the military solution hasn’t achieved anything but
the ruination of our armed forces hence we need to revert to a political strategy on priority basis. With regards to this he also declared that PTI intends to file a petition against the attacks in the apex court and hold a demonstration with the innocent victims outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan so as to have their plight addressed.Closing the conference Khan declared that with the current state of the economy and the fact that those in power are oblivious to the predicament of the nation the Tsunami may head towards Islamabad. In the end Imran Khan strongly condemned the recent attack on Malala Yusufzai and reiterated that these incidents are what we are fighting against. “PTI members and I pray for the recovery of this brave young girl who came under the global spotlight for her efforts to bring back peace to her hometown,” said Imran Khan.