Share this article
Print this page
Protesters gather at the anti-drone rally hosted by PTI in Karachi. PHOTO: NEFER SEHGAL
KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan said that “innocent people” were being killing in drone attacks in FATA.
Speaking to hundreds of participants of a sit-in in Karachi, Khan said that more than 37000 Pakistanis had been killed in the war against terror which had been initiated by the US.
He said that Pakistan was forced to fight a war which was not theirs and claimed that the nation was united with the people of Waziristan.
The PTI chief said the rulers of the country were not sincere with the people and that the masses were fed up of unfulfilled promises.
Khan also asserted that the two days of sit-in will send a clear message to the leadership regarding the public opinion against the drone strikes in Pakistan.
PPI adds:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday started its two-day sit-in in front of Karachi Port against the US drone attacks in tribal areas of Pakistan.
The objective of the sit-in is to protest by blocking the logistic supplies en-route Pakistan to the NATO troops in Afghanistan.
Thousands of people from different walks of life and political activists gathered at the Native Jetty Bridge near Karachi Port on Saturday, holding flags and placards. They chanted slogans against the drone attacks and the US interference into internal affairs of Pakistan.
Strict security arrangements were made by the Sindh government to avert any untoward incident. Heavy contingents of police and rangers were deployed around the venue while the adjacent roads were blocked by placing empty containers on roads.
Addressing the protesters PTI leaders said that the government should take action against involvement of American spy agencies in the country and switch the so-called war on terror off.
Pictures from the rally can be seen here.
More in Pakistan
Roots of our intolerance
will da drone attacks stop now?Recommend
If you look at the people who came to Imran Taliban’s rally in Karachi, you will find a lot of Jamaat people, TTP supporters, LET Supporters and so on.
What does Imran want to achieve. He wants to exploit the Anti American Feeling people have and have these people become a vote bank for him.
Imran is playing a dangerous game. The same people in Swat, when they supported the Taliban, it brought choas to Pakistan.
Imran is siding with the religious (extremists) elements in ISI and hoping that he will come to power thru the back door under the guise of honesty. However i am sure that will not happen as the religious (extremists) elements in ISI are becoming less powerful..
Also I am sure he will not get much support in Sindh, Balochistan and lower Punjab and ANP will keep its vote bank. All he will do is divide PML (N) vote bank in Upper Punjab.
Imran Taliban, you are a a few years too late. You should have sold yourself a bit earlier. China would not tolerate you. Neither would West and also the people of Pakistan in smaller provinces fear another ISI man.Recommend
Did Anyone say HUGE ?????
10 thousand is not a HUGE crowd!!
For God’s Sake!!Recommend
Seriously.
People from banned organizations like Sipah-e-sahaba attend his Dharnas.
IK is on the wrong track!
If he thinks he will be able to handle him after he ever gets into power(god forbids). hes WRONG!!
and it is not a huge crowd Mind you!
10,000 people in a city like KARACHI is a FAILURE!!
Even Jamat-e-Islami & Sunni tehreek can gather much bigger crowd than this!Recommend
@Ahmed:
i think you just doing his opposition for opposition’s sake. you can’t see a simple point Its high time people be expressive against this proxy war we are hurled into by america.Recommend
@Ahmed: Pathetic !! get your facts corrected.Recommend
Ahmed. So you are happy with PML N, PPP and ANP coming back into power. You should be a happy citizen because they are in power now. These dharnas shouldn’t bother you.Recommend
@ahmed:
What a ridiculous approach towards the ideology that truly represents the opinion of the majority!!
Neither is Imran an ISI man nor is he supporting the Taliban! He is working towards the only possible solution to the current crisis faced by Pakistan – end of this war!Recommend
Imrran Khan has lead the nation from front again bringing people from all the sections together. I saw leftists, rightists, liberals, hardliners all standing together with this great leader.
Imran Khan thank you very much for your efoorts to unite Pakistan
InshAllah Imran will be the next Prime minister of Pakistan.Recommend
Dear Ahmed,
Everyone who is against US drone attacks and US spy agency’s presence in Pakistan are not supporters of TTP or LET. I dont know which school of thought you come from but any common,patriotic Pakistani will support Imran Khan for he seems the only leader who is bold enough to speak against America and their crimes carried out in Pakistan. Just for a second think about those who have lost their families and homes in these drone attacks..they need someone to support them and stop this mass killing of innocent(mostly) pakistani people. Otherwise what will they do ??? will they not join terrorists organisations like TTP/LET, do they have anyother option?? and im afraid thats the main objective of American drone strikes…to fuel the sentiments of pashtoon people against pakistan government and army…
This so called war against terrorism is costing us only,30,000 people have been killed in drone strikes only compared to only 3 thousand people in 9/11.Recommend
Well Done Imran Khan you are hero…. we are with youRecommend
@Ahmed:
very nice analysis possibly from an MQM or MLN supporter.Recommend
@Ahmed, biased you are, isn’t imran khan better than those self exiled leaders, dacoit leaders, chor dakoo leaders bhatta khor and target killers, at least he is not hypocrite like other bhatta khors, open your eyes NOW otherwise get ready for bandey mataram again which your grandfathers and forefathers used to sing whole heartedlyRecommend
@Mr.Khan 10,000 out of a sleeping nation is more than enough.Recommend
Imran Khan is a nationalist not a religious nutjob. He is using the anti american sentiment and incompetence of the government as his tool.
He can actually break the myth that bad guys can only win.
Damn!
Why dont you see this?
Go ahead criticize him and tell everyone that he has no chance of winning or change the way you think!!Recommend
@Ahmed: Your comment makes me laugh, but I pity you really.Recommend
Imran Khan is the last sincere leader in Pakistan.Recommend
@Ahmed:
Sad day for MQM traitors like yourself.Recommend
Imran Khan is a pawn of the military. The Ghairat brigade will be the death of his county.Recommend
the only hope of Pakistan .if peoples of Pak are alive than the choice ought to be obvious in up coming election…. the only lion of Pakistan is IMRAN KHAN who have the potential to changethe destiny of Pak. I LOVE YOUR COURAGE, BOLDNESS ,PATRIOTISM….. WE ALL LOVE YOU .MAY ALLAH GIVE YOU TREMENDOUS SUCCESS…. A Punjabe phrase i want to use here that “jaan Allah di te vote IMRAN KHAN da”Recommend
Imran Khan must have to strengthen himself to stand for his policy!
America is not gonna stop drone attacks what may come!
First pakistan has to strong enough economically so that its doesn’t need any foreign aid…
and there must be a huge nation wide rally against drone attacks… last but not the least Army and ISI both have to support nation and give their clear stance that they are not in favor of any foreign involvement of forces!!!Recommend
Its a great achievement by PTI the people of pakistan are with imran khan.Some slavish minds believe that we should let the americans keep playing their game, which is on for the last more than 10 years, as a result of which taliban in pakistan have reached the hubs of ISI and GHQ. They dnt have any problem in hitting in front of american and saudi counsellates and in afghanistan, mr karzai cant go out of kabul. Which means absolutely zero achievement in 10 years, and unfortunately some numb minds are still supporting this game.
Imran khan is the only brave leader who can get our home in the right order, and every patriotic pakistani is with him. InshaAllah he is going to do kleen sweep in KPK and most parts of punjab, and his popularity is growing day by day.Recommend
@Mr.Khan, exactly, you are absolutely right, there have been several rallies in the past with millions and billions and trillions of people participating in 42c temp. and security threats, isnt it ?Recommend
Crown numbered more than a million! so it’s huge and still counting….. we all support the anti-drone rallyRecommend
@Mr.Khan:
your eye is not your strongest asset is it??? If you can’t count heads then there are plenty of schools I could recommend :)Recommend
@Ahmed:
i think you forgot that pakistan is a muslim country and if imran is siding with the religious elements in ISI, thats great as ISI is our own agency and will only protect the interests of pakistan.Recommend
Today, I see a ray of light twinkling in the dark and violent streets of Karachi.Recommend
@Ahmed: Talk with some proof and not just the propaganda of other parties u r talking in their language i am sure u must be one of them. its an old story imran khan ISI and imran taliban etc etc …..the irony is that ppl like u r very few in number so never mind u live in that world where u have to make west and china happy like our present leaders and get DOLLAR KHAN :) …Azad mulk kay ghualm log..tsk tskRecommend
The right wing army/mullah touts could only muster Islamist extremists from all the tiny and fringe parties.
Did any Pakistani demonstrate against the presence and protection of OBL in a custom designed fortress in an army base? This is the real question and every proud progressive Pakistani should be shameful about our army/ISI protecting the worst terrorist in their “base”.
However, like denying and covering all the facts (surrender and plunder of East Pakistan, Kargil) this question of aiding and abetting terrorists has beeen spun by the army touts.Recommend
Imran Khan who has few thousand followers in whole country, ten thousand is a huge number. Few thousand more from FATA could have come there, but they are not risking their arrest.Recommend
Haters, keep on hating. The only politician who is talking to the people of Pak DIRECTLY today is Imran Khan. There are NO other parties staging public rallies in this atmosphere of terror, so hats off to PTI for dealing with that and pulling up a humongous crowd.Recommend
@ahmed: People like you think that they know everything.. Infact u r blindly following the propaganda created by status quoRecommend
@Mr.Khan: awwww r u blind i am sooooo sorry to know that :))))Recommend
Why Sindh Government is spending tax money on security. There is no need to it. This gathering is in support of terrorists and they are not fools to attack their own friends. Native Jetty Bridge in Karachi is one of the safest places on earth.Recommend
imran khan is a TAMASHA and only tamashbeen hazard attened his stuntsRecommend
More people came to see Imran Khan when he was playing cricket than blocking ports. May be he should go back to doing just that!Recommend
I went there… In this heat, it is a good crowd, and I found guys directly coming from offices with laptops bags, and that shows that IK is now attracting the youth from all corners of this country… He may not be a successful politician but look at those successful politicians, do you want those success stories to keep ruling this country?
I say, let’s wait and see… It is building up, it may be slow, but it is going in the right direction. I may be wrong, but I feel it from the heart.Recommend
@ahmed and khan
At least they did something. What have u done to stop these attacks???Recommend
@Ahmed: You are wrong. People who follow IK include college student, university students, their families, and scientists and overseas Pakistanis … You insult us when you call us LeT and TTP supporters.
I have a feeling you are from MQM or probably TTP/LeT since you know that when IK comes to power he will cut off the wings of these parties by ending the terrorism in the country.Recommend
@ahmed,
If u prefer to stay @ home and support the corrupts. Please keep doing that, but u have no
Right to call rest of us as taliban supporters, we support pakistan and we support humanity.Recommend
@Ahmed, we need a change and Imran Khan is trying to bring that change, what you suggest, sit and let current govt. eat all money and get rich. There is no doubt current parties are corrupt, they don’t care about the people, they have been in govt twice but there is still corruption, poverty, and shortage of day to day necessities. We can’t just close our eyes and expect for a divine intervention.Recommend
Stop this lunacy!
Drones are bad, yes! Do they break international law? Yes!
Whose responsible? Not this impotent government which has no say on foreign and security affairs!
If you really want a revolution take your dharna before GHQ!Recommend
Yeah, By reading M.khan’s and Ahmed’s comments, I come to know how beghairat our people can be, You people are criticizing the crowd and Imran khan for what? For speaking against killing of innocent pakistani civilians in tribal areas? If 10 thousand is not a huge crowd, you shouldn’t be wearing bangles, and staying in your home, you should have been in karachi, the day is not far, when your own children and families will be hit by Drones, and the US soldiers will pose photographs with their corpses, just like they did in Afghanistan, Imran khan is better than those who are currently running the opposition, and the government, They are two faced corrupted leaders, Imran Khan if manages to stop Drone attacks, It doesn’t matter how, he’s is a huge chance and a major role of Justice towards me.Recommend
Zardari is NRO man, Shareef is ISI man(remember General Jeelani, ISI funded IJI), Altaf is Army man (who created mqm against whom in 80s)? Ok let’s suppose imran is ISI man well well. out of all these I am still going to pick him.Recommend
Very Poor ideas by Ahmad
Imran khan is the only honest and dedicated person who can turn the people fate
He is in right direction and he can get rid of these uneduacted fake leadersRecommend
Forced and paid .. 2 different things!
Pakistan was given 2 choices .. with us or against us!
After digesting all money, now complaining .. not very Islamic!
Anyway ..not too late ..Pakistan can change sides now .. rather than playing double games!!!Recommend
@Mr.Khan:
Vow! Imran Khan and 10 thousand people coming to see this joker —– Huge!
Considering the fact that the man usually gets about couple of hundred people attracted to any of his shows.
@sash:
da! da! da!Recommend
Yes, for a Talib Khan—–, Taliban, AlQaeda and Terrorists are innocent people.Recommend
@ Ahmed: You gotta be kidding me!!! I actually fear for pakistan’s future when I read such comments! Anxiety adds up when a person sounds educated… He might have some of short comings but has for sure got honesty and nationalism… Both these things make his far more superior than the rest of the lot!! These Wikileakes and OBL drama should have opened ignorant public eye that all these leaders are US stooges! They have no intrest of Pakistan whatsoever. I hope and pray really hard that Allah changes public hearts and get them out of their family slavery for other parties so that vote fir the right person. He is the only hope it’s pray we dont lose him….Recommend
In fact a gathering of Be Ghairat Brigade.
Qaum ki Betis is Aasia for whom Salman sacrificed his life.
Afia Sidiqui is beti of Alqaida. Being an American citizen she is America’s beti.Recommend
Imran Khan = A puppet of the ISI’s media wing. As soon as you hear of ISI’s many mess-ups, this guy comes out with a rally to protect the ISI’s image. He’s no longer a politician, but a comedian and a puppet.Recommend
Well done Imran. Well done Karachi!Recommend
u never publish my commentsRecommend
US didn’t force us to fight the war, UN did. There are unanimous resolutions against terrorism which are binding on all members. I always wonder why he forgets to mention the 80,000 Pakistanis who fought alongside Taliban against the Northern Alliance in the 1990s. And the 18 different groups that were operating inside Kashmir. And jihadis from all across the world that were residing in FATA. And what about our proxy wars and strategic depth? Werent we planning to capture Afghanistan and Central Asia using militant groups? Hamid Gul is his mentor, Imran should ask him about strategic depth.Recommend
These are Dharna videos. People from right wing to left wing, young, old, rich, poor every one was represented. A new dawn is in offing and hew leader has born who can unite this divided society.I am witnessing a new Pakistan today…….
https://insaf.pk/Media/Videos/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6506/Karachi-Dharna-Video-updates.aspxRecommend
“Pakistan forced to fight US war?”
Dear Imran, do you need more conspiracy theories? Pl grow up. Pakistan chose enthusiastically to this war in 2001 after 911. That time your beloved patrarotic president Musharraf sold your country to this war, $$$$ in his eyes. Without the aid and america’s support, pakistan would have been world’s poorest nation by now.Recommend
imran khan is doing great if pakistan keep on depending on forign aid a day will come when pakistan will be slave of america …..people in afghanistan are also fedup of NATO troopsRecommend
https://insaf.pk/Media/Videos/tabid/62/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6506/Karachi-Dharna-Video-updates.aspxRecommend
@Ahmed:
Yes every courrupt,every thief,every fraudster,every tax evader will hold on to its vote bank and no one will want to support Imran Khan as he is honest,credible,and respected all over the world except Pakistan.People in Pakistan are still naieve that some leaders will have great turn over at their stalls,all selling empty unfulfilable promises which they all know very well.
No Pakistan is awakening up,Pakistanies are awakening up,They do not want to give same scenario to their kids.Thats sensible Pakistan.
In case you did not grasp the situation.Recommend
I feel sorry for the above ppl like ahmed, rehan. You will be paid money no doubt but this is national cause, he is using the sentiments of ppl in right direction not exploiting it like others did in their roles. Please don’t use the american words of war, extremists, fundamentalists. This is just the deception.Recommend
What game is Imran Khan trying to play here, who is he really trying to protect!?
If he really cares for the poor people of FATA, then why doesn’t he and his supporters go to North and South Waziristan (where most drone strike occur), and once and for all show the entire world that there is no al-Qaeda, Afghan-Taliban, Jalaluddin Haqqani, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Chechen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Uzbek Islamic Jihad Union, Chinese Uighurs, Tajik and Punjabi terrorists groups living there, and that the US is only killing innocent Pakistanis without any reason.
Do Imran Khan and his supporters have the courage and guts to enter terrorist control FATA, especially North Waziristan?Recommend
@Rehan:
If he is working for ISI then what, they are overall saving Pakistani people otherwise this action is directly against US Interests. Do you want to support USA here?..perhaps Green Card.Recommend
Pro Taliban or Anti Taliban, 10,000 or 10, Huge or small, voicing one’s opinion is the only way forward.
Rest have all be tested.
And the results we all know and the destruction continues …….Recommend
i can smell something burning here…… IMRAN KHAN is Leader of this generation……. if some one barks on him am sorry to say he will get nothing …… so stop barking and start supporting Leader of the Nation who wants to unite this nation and WATCH this VIDEO and open your eyes and Heart and think positively
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U95u5Tm-J1Q&feature=player_embedded
God bless Pakistan and IMRANRecommend
Drone Attacks are illegal immoral inhuman. All human are innocent until proved guilty. American Robots should not be allowed to punish Humans. Anybody who support them would he or she like those attacks on their neighbor’s house ?. All Human Beings are Equal, They are innocent until proved guilty. What you believes Live and Let Live ? or Live and Let Die ?.Recommend
I wonder why people turn venmously against someone as sincere & as true a nationalist as Mr. Khan, sincerely trying for a positive change. He is struggling to bring a change towards a Pakistan liberated from the clutches of American Imperialism, a change from corruption-ridden ineffective, puppet parliament to a truely independent one whose resolutions will carry some weight at least.
To label with all these derogatory titles like Imran Talibaan, or Talibaan Khan is easy, what substitutes you have…………….?: laid-back Nawaz Sharif !……… corruption Mafia ruling party head!, controversial Big Bhai sitting in London!,,,,,,,,, or Mualana Diesal!? Ok these are substitutes of Mr.Recommend
I wonder why people turn venmously against someone as sincere & as true a nationalist as Mr. Khan, sincerely trying for a positive change. He is struggling to bring a change towards a Pakistan liberated from the clutches of American Imperialism, a change from corruption-ridden ineffective, puppet parliament to a truely independent one whose resolutions will carry some weight at least.
To label with all these derogatory titles like Imran Talibaan, or Talibaan Khan is easy, what substitutes you have…………….?: laid-back Nawaz Sharif !……… corruption Mafia ruling party head!, controversial Big Bhai sitting in London!,,,,,,,,, or Mualana Diesal!? Ok if these are the substitutes which you prefer over Mr.Khan- then only God be with you!!!!!!!
.Recommend
its total fake news that huge crowd is there, go n watch by ur selfRecommend
To all the haters of Imran Khan.
who if not Imran Khan? suggest just one nameRecommend
Why do people like “Ahmad” want to continue fighting America’s war, I dont get it. Just compare Pakistan today to 2001. Pakistan is destroying itself and its people for America’s war. Pakistan has gained only death and destruction for fighting America’s war.Recommend
@Syed:
lol.
Have you ever seen a MQM , PPP & PML’s Procession ?
check ‘em all. You’ll Know HOW MANY people attend that despite temparature @ 42!
+ IK gathered people from all over pakistan in Peshawar which didnt exceed 10 thousand either.
Then they called it ‘in a city like’ peshawar its a success.
Now in a CITY like Karachi ? a crowd of 10,000 people still a Success ???
C’mon Stop being biased!Recommend
@Junaid Dar:
Sleeping Nation ? :D
That is SO typical of Toru people (read pti supporters) They call this Nation ‘JAHIL’ , Sleeping n Bla bla bla. Just because they dont support Imran Khan!!
get a life guys!!
This Nation is Much more prudent than you think!
you act like the guy ‘musheer’ in Habib Jalib’s Poem Musheer. who used to tell others ‘Yeh do 10 crore hain Jehel ka Nichor hain’.Recommend
Its great to see people from different ethnic, sectarian and social class backgrounds are joining hands for the cause of justice and freedom.
but still there are those (perhaps will always be those) who want to remain in their sectarian and social class shells and cant see beyond theirselves.
good going imran khan and team.
shame on those who support the innocent killings of kids and women in drones or miltiary operations , they are like those who support suicide bombings on innocent people. no difference between the both infact people who support military operations/drones are more pathetic as the support the cause of this mess. terrorism is the mess and war is the cause , if u support the war means u support terrorism.Recommend
@ Mr. Khan:
Wish you could differentiate between the crowd hurled together like a herd of sheep & a group of like-minded people threaded together with a positive, sublime, nationalistic purpose! ……….. Then numbers will become immaterial for you………Recommend
Mr Ahmed…sorry to say that you feel insecure by hearing the truth…actually what Imran is doing is the right thing….atleast mentioning the public feelings…gentlemen we got nothing by applying ur thoughts,which are inline with current govt…don’t see the people, see the cause and it’s benigit for the country….Recommend
Hi Imran
Please go and look after your hospital, If you want to do any thing for Pakistan and its people. Stop Saudi Arabia and Emirate funding the extremest. Do you pray five time ? It is not my business to ask. you will answer to God.
Stop looking after Taliban, This Taliban support will not take you any where. we are going down hill evry day because of our politicians you are one of them.Recommend
@Ahmad: well said. Your approach is rationaly true.Recommend
Dear Irman Khan: the whole nation is with you. Go ahead we are with you. At the time of need every thing will be available for your. You are real hero of nation.Recommend
Imran Khan must ask if Taliban wasn’t created in Pakistan, where was it created? If Islamic extremism wasn’t fed by Pakistan army, today it won’t need to fight it (just as Indian army had to fight its own monster called LTTE).
It is very much Pakistan’s war. If Pakistan won’t fight these terrorists, then world will fight Pakistan. It can only choose whom it wants to fight!!Recommend
@wahab: and where does your facts come from??Recommend
if its not our war than whose war is this?? Taliban and AL Qaeda killing innocent Pakistanis and armed personnels still you say not our war… i don’t love US and i am more than willing to support someone who says we don’t want american aid and we no more want to be american ally.. but tell me honestly.. if we severe our relations with US and consequently with the rest of the world.. will these militants stop killing us ? will these militants leave us to live our lives as we like.. will they let us establish country that is open, patient and tolerant.. will these militants stop attacking minorities?
common people lets accept these militants are our enemy no.1.. with america or no america we have to fight the extremism…Recommend
The reason why banned outfits and islami jamaats are the majority at ik’s dharnas is because there is a vaccum left by us, the not-so-poor, indifferent pseudo elite who sit and whine about it on facebook. We need to stop moaning and actually attend these protests.Recommend
Yeah, Ilyas Kashmiri and Baitullah Mehsud were both innocent people.Recommend
Who forced Pakistan to “fight war on terror” my dear Maulan Imran Khan Sahab.
MussaratRecommend