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PTI determined to protest in Waziristan despite TTP warning
Taliban deny earlier reports that they will kill PTI leader if he holds his protest march in Waziristan.
Taliban deny earlier reports that they will kill PTI leader if he holds his protest march in Waziristan. PHOTO : MYRA IQBAL/ FILE
Despite warnings from the Taliban against a proposed public rally into North Waziristan to protest against drone strikes, the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf chief has vowed that it remains undeterred, and will follow through with its plan.
Responding to allegations, Khan said that no threats would stop his planned rally, before announcing they would be staging their protests in Waziristan on September 23.
The PTI announcement came even as the Taliban leaders clarified that they will hold a meeting to decide if they will allow PTI chairman Imran Khan to lead a protest against drone attacks in their tribal stronghold, an email to the The Express Tribune said on Thursday.
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ahsanullah Ahsan has denied reports that they will kill Khan if he arrives. However, Ahsan said that the Taliban see Khan as an “infidel” because he describes himself as a liberal.
“The TTP shura will decide what to do a week before his arrival and will announce it,” Ahsan said, adding that “it’s sure and clear that we don’t have any sympathy with Imran Khan, neither do we need his sympathy, as he himself claims to be a liberal, and we see liberals as infidels.”
Earlier, according to a report by Associate Press (AP), the Taliban had threatened to kill Khan if he holds the planned protest. Ahsan, however, said that the AP reporter had misquoted him.
“The reporter added the death threat himself, bypassing the norms of journalism; he tried to break a news story for his publicity and it shows his immorality,” the spokesperson stated, adding that the Taliban condemn such behaviour by media persons.
Khan has maintained that he is a liberal and a practicing Muslim. Some of his critics have nicknamed him “Taliban Khan” because of his views and ties with conservative religious parties, who could help him attract right-wing voters in the upcoming general elections.
Earlier in July, Khan had announced that he was planning to lead thousands of people in a march to Waziristan in September to protest against the strikes.
‘Not afraid of threats’
The PTI vowed to travel to North Waziristan despite the threats from Taliban.
Dismissing the threats, PTI Secretary Information Shafqat Mehmood said that the PTI march to North Waziristan would take place in September “come what may”.
In a press statement, Mehmood said:, “Whatever the authenticity of the threat, the PTI is determined to go ahead with its planned peace rally to Miram Shah on September 23.”
When told of the alleged threat by the TTP, the PTI chairman said, “A man of faith does not fear death.”
On him being a liberal, Khan said that only God understands what’s in a person’s heart and such labels are meaningless. “It would be an honour to give the ultimate sacrifice of one’s life to protest American lack of care for the innocent men, women and children of Waziristan who have died in thousands by American drone attacks.”
Khan, in the statement, further said that this is a march that will project to the world the hardships of the ordinary people of the region who have been a caught in “a brutal and senseless conflict”.
“No real or imagined threats would therefore diminish the resolve of the party to lead a peace rally to Waziristan,” the statement said.
Imran to be protected if asked: Malik
Talking about the threats to Imran Khan for his intended public march into Waziristan later this year, Malik said that the had Taliban first threatened the PTI chief and then denied it.
He said Imran Khan will be provided security if asked. He also invited the Taliban to surrender and join the mainstream.
Read more:
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Reader Comments (69)
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I’m positive they made the statement, a journalist cannot mistake a statement like that. They probably later changed it seeing it will turn virtually all anti-drone pakistanis into pro-drones. They are also risking the wrath of the tribal pashtuns if they touch Imran Khan. As for me, I support drone strikes on TTP targets till the day there’s even a single Taliban left in Pakistan, but I am willing to give Imran Khan a try to see if he can achieve something.
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If Taliban even lays a finger on Imran they will be wiped out by the Pakistani Awam – The Pakistani Awam will liquidate them what Americans couldnt do.
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”A man of faith doesn’t fear death & a march for peace against drones that have destroyed millions of lives of FATA ppl is worth dying for.” Imran Khan
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Muk-Mukaa between allies.
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This is peace march and taliban should not make hurdles
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i like imran khan, nice man
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clean bowled.
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Even the Taliban cant stop this tiger. Its bound to happen and its making every opposition member crazy! Choose your allegiances everyone, Everyone that is corrupt and live behind the facade of a pious and decent life, we all know who you people are. When the right moment arrives, you wont know what hit you, enjoy all you want, we all know you’re going to end up in exile in the country that ruled over your people.Recommend
He is leader of the nation, he will bring liberal and conservative under one banner.
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The chairman called the board member and said, “let the new president do his thing”.
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What tragedy that Taliban are deciding to give or not to give permission to Pakistanis to travel in their own country. Recommend
@AZ, so the Pakistani awam will wait for the day when the Taliban attacks Imran Khan. If you’re so sure that the pakistani awam will ‘liquidate’ the Taliban, then why cant they do it now? why do they have to wait until Imran Khan gets hurt. Ridiculous.
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@AZ
did Pakistani Awam do anything when the bhutto father and daughter were killed? The Awam will do nothing. Imran khan will have to be careful himself..
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@AZ:
In which Pakistan you live? Which Awam you are talking who could not wipe out corroupt rulers. Talibans are doing all at their will and none will be able wipe them out.
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The Pakistani Awam will liquidate the TTP if they lay a finger on IK! Sounds like braggadocio to me. What was the Pakistani Awam doing when Benazir Bhutto, Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti were assassinated?
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Taliban is a name of some government that they are deciding that who has the visa to visit their place or not ???. Pakistani gov is sure that Waziristan is in Pakistan or another country between Pakistan and Afghanistan??
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He is too loved by the Pakistani aawam to be touched by these shameless crooks. They will lose an agonizing battle if something happens to Imran Khan. These guys are jokers. For god sakes TTP..Do you even know the meaning of the word LIBERAL? Retards regard “liberals as infidels”. Next thing you know they’ll say liberty is not a good thing. Brainless blockheads..Recommend
@Uzair, you should go live in North Korea, Burma, or read up on Hitler and Stalin to learn the ropes if you want Pakistan to become such a place. This isn’t patriotism, its zealotry.
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Taliban do not have a right to ‘condemn’ anything.
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Pashtuns are not and never have been the extremist type taliban..These taliban are not Pashtuns..Pahtuns have not come here 11 years ago..They have been here since thousands of years..This deceptive infiltration by certain elements have created these groups and associated them with pashtuns..But everyone knows who the Pashtuns are,even the west has written hundreds of books on them…The wrath of the Pashtuns have already made these so called Taliban know that they will be wiped very soon if they cross their limits..Alot have been brushed aside in certain areas..Certain people have given these taliban places to live because of which the drones target them..i’m sure in time such people will also know that they are in reality supported by the west and their “bought govt and agencies”…People disguised as islamic religious people who lure people by funding them and the arms supply sdhowing themselves as pastuns and taliban are infact not pashtuns and not taliban..One imam was caught after nine years in a mosque who was not a muslim and not a pashtun and taught extremism etc..Now you all can understand further.
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AS per Taliban they are the Only Muslim in the world , if we agree then Muslims are only 100,000# in this world.Let them Enjoy with the Blood of common musalmans.
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khan sb keep it up these r the things politicians needed to do
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Taliban can not harm a man,who always support their stance against the occupying Forces in AFGHANISTAN.
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Imran don’t be too adventurous, they are Killers , , ,!!!!Recommend
Imran Khan has the best wishes of all Pakistanis.
He’s 100,000x times better than the corrupt leaders in power right now. Of course many evil forces will try to shut him down because our enemies know that if this government and corrupt party of current leadership gets another 5 years, then Pakistan will be damaged for decades (both financially and in every other way possible).
Pro Hint: Loadshedding for life if we give this current leadership another chance for 5 years.
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”A man of faith doesn’t fear death & a march for peace against drones that have destroyed millions of lives of FATA ppl is worth dying for.” Imran Khan
A Great Man!
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I am sure Taliban will not hurt
RecommendA TALIB ILM
Tailiban will give him garlands due to his
illustrious history with late Sita White.
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@MAC:
explaining basic terms to certain people is like banging head against the wall. I would save my breath.
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How could taliban harm Imran Khan? Who is oblivious of their ties, these news only an effort to clear IK from these allegations.
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will the debate take place with guns or without?
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imran doesnt understand what their Islam is i am tribal pashtoon and TTP are criminals fully funded and trained . onething is for sure that TTP is not supported by CIA and RAW bcoz they have not ask for independence just like baloch people. so somebody else is supporting and funding them and only innocent pakhtoons are being killed.. state has failed to eliminate them and they are not serious, moliv General zia ul haq policies are still in place.. UN should do something abt these people..
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Never a mention of the govt in these articles — just discussion about whether a terrorist organization will give permission for an important person to enter territory it controls. Make it clear that all the blather about American’s violating your sovereignty is pure nonsense.
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@Blithe786: As always, you are far too worried about late Sita White
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nothing more than a media stunt by both parties & interestingly public seems to buy this crap….
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@Haroon Gul:
You probably are correct. But don’t you think that gun culture and simpleton attitude attracted to world powers and saudi arabia to come and use pashtoons for their own evil designs in the name of fighting for freedom and religion and destroying the society in process? Now think if your guns defended you or killed you?
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why Pakistan is tolerating Taliban …..wipe out Taliban otherwise Pakistan will b wiped out
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Taliban threatens to kill him: then denies doing so: all this while Imran Khan and Urdu media deny their existence in North Waziristan.
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May Allah protect Imran Khan for the betterment of muslims and pakistanis.Amen
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When Imran decided to do wonders, nobody can stop him except Almighty.
Lion of Pakistan – Imran Khan Imran Khan.
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lol, can anyone imagine nawaz sharif going to waziristan? Recommend
I wish i had the drones to kill each and every taliban and their supporters in pakistan. they are like polio virus and they need to be exterminated.
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IK open your eyes! Talibans are nobody’s friends since they are simply terrorists out to destroy humanity.
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Imran Khan is not afraid of death. He knows death has to come at its due time and nothing can change this. Imran Khan’s mission is noble and you can’t limit him in right and left.
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A deal between the Taliban and khan maybe?
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PTI’s resolve is impressive. May God protect everyone.
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Good luck IK for the same
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Typical Pakhtoon perversion!
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I talked to Omer Cheema of Dawn News after i got this news the other day on Dawn.com and he gave me his words with promise that nothing was fabricated in TTP spokesman verdit and he said that they really threatened IK looking to his possible peace rally against US Drones in Tribal area in this September…
All this mess up goes back to Zia’s era who really left the country in heck of terrorism…….
BTW long live IK we will INSHALLAH.TALA join you in this rally
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A new Noora Kusti in Pakistan……
If not, then….
Allow drone operation to wipe out terrorists at any cost ,.
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Mr Khan has full right to address a public meeting anywhere In Pakistan.
But humanity demand that he should not risk lives of his audience in Waziristan.
if anything happens to them he will be responsible for their death.
He should retract his announcement I am aure it will be appreciated by his followers
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One is not aware what plan these so called Talibans have,so far as IK”s visit to Waziristan is concerned.The only worry is that political parties against IK might try to harm him & then blame Talibans?
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After this warning, it is imperative upon Imran Khan to reconsider his soft corner for the militants. They are nobody’s friends, and Allah alone knows what they really want. They claim to follow a Prophet who forgave even his enemies, and inquired after their welfare if they disappeared even briefly! These fanatics, on the other hand , kill fellow Muslims and regard everyone except themselves. Wake up before it is too late. If IK does not condemn these elements, many would suspect him of being in league with them. Recommend
He is a practicing Muslim and a true muslim can’t kill innocent people nor he could support such killing! and Imran has stated this several times that he is against any extremism.
Secondly yes he is a bit softer but only to this extend to find a solution to this war on terror because it is creating hatred and loss to this very own land of Imran , Yours and mine.
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Topi drama between people who shares the same ideology.
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@janaan, then you have harm your own taliban khan, since he shares the same philosophy.
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“the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf chief has vowed that it remains undeterred, “
It your grammar is problematic. you cannot refer to PTI chief as “it”, you need to refer to Imran as “he”.
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@AZ: “If Taliban even lays a finger on Imran they will be wiped out by the Pakistani Awam – The Pakistani Awam will liquidate them what Americans couldnt do.
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OK . SO the fact that 40,000 Pakistanis were kiled by TTP was not enough motivation to “liquidate” TTP but attacking Imran would provide the motivation. Interssting logic.
Also fyi – US government may have occassioally helped Pakistani govenment with taking out some TTP people ut their primary goal is to subdue Al Qaeda and Haqqanis. IT is the Pakistan army that claimed great success in “breaking the backbone of the terrorists” after the Swat and South Waziristan operation. It is clear now that the terrorists simplydisappeared and resurfaced. So if anything it is Pak army failure not US failure you should be referring to.
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It was a cheap publicity stunt by so called Pakistani Taliban. They know they can not stop Imran Khan but they know that he is the most popular leader in Pakistan so they can get some publicity by giving threats. They do not want drones to stop, they do not want peace in the area and they are fighting proxy war, their masters are somewhere else.
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Imran Khan No More “Noora Kusti”….
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Since Imran is a proud pakistani and morally outraged at the american policies and our beggar mentality, maybe he should ease up on coming to USA and begging for donattions practically every few months…..
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Imran a liberal??? surely you jest….
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@AZ:
Yea Sure, i thought this guy loves these shinning example of Islam, they dont like elections, dont want a democracy, dont want women to go to school.
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“A man of faith does not fear death.” The great quote by a great leader.
We like ur stance on drone attacks. IK will lead from front and i am sure he will not hide himself behind the people.
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Imran khan is not a true muslim or else he wouldnt have been clean shaved. He is not welcome.
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The Taliban have to respect and honor this Imran Khan’s rally against the drones’ strikes in Waziristan and also help him instead of threaten him of severe consequences and cerebrate it in positive sense that someone is taking some serious steps to stop drones’ strikes……..
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i tink imran khan shdnt go there he can do alot better then going there coz god forbid if anything happens to him then all his dreams about new pakistan will go wid him coz i dont see anymore imran khan in pakistan …pakistan need you sir imran khan.. i am pushton myself and i totally condemn then drone attacks and i have full sympthy for the ppl of waziristan.. but i tink the tym is not right for sir imran khan to go there @ the moment
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From the Taliban’s reaction, it can also be inferred that they do not want the drone strikes to stop. The drone strikes help them recruit new faithfuls. AS far as the sufferings of the common people are concerned, that seems to be of no concern to them.
Taliban insurgency cannot be defeated merely by force, however. They must be defeated on the ideological battlefield. Many otherwise sensible people do not realise this when they indirectly strengthen the Taliban by offering simplistic solutions to the militancy probllem. The Taliban ideology by its very nature is unsustainable because they seek to destroy the very foundations of a democratic and pluralistic society.
Imran must acknowledge this and condemn them in unequivocal terms, instead of just repeating defensive and hackneyed phrases in response to their threats to kill him.
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may ALLAH save imran khan. he is the true leader of all pakistanis.
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