ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari will be responsible for any unpleasant incident during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) peace march in Waziristan, PTI chief Imran Khan said on Thursday.
Speaking to media in Islamabad, Khan claimed that the tribal people, militants and the army have no problem with his party’s march.
“Only the government has objected to the march,” he said, adding that the rulers are against peace.
He further alleged that while on one hand, the government protests against the drone attacks, on the other it 'allows' the US to carry on with the strikes.
The PTI chief deduced that young people affected by the drone campaign have been turning towards militancy.
Khan stated that because of his party's march, international media and social workers will be able to see the other side of the picture for the first time.
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The problem is that TTP is not just TTP; there are plenty of groups and factions within and outside it. I doubt that they work on an closely coordinated a policy as our peace marchers might imagine.
The statement is very clear there are logics and reasons behind it, but if one could see. The march is to assit the vacinity people who are the victims of drones and they are living a traumatic life. Now they all wellcome Khan and Taliban have also no objection to it. If there are several stake holders and no one has any abjection to his arrival than who is Govt to makie him stop. One has to take risk and do big in order to seek fruitful result and ending the biggest and brutal issue of drones.
PLZ try to understand that analyzing the cost and benefit ratio, the march will make a difference for the people of Waziristan. it is a risky situation but the outcomes of such an activity will be dramatic in the context of drones.
I question all the above mentioned comment makers that had you been the victim of drone and would have been suffering since long with a lot of casualities in your family due to drone, had you given the same responses as written above. Waziristan Brothers are our brothers and they are sacrificing their wives, children, fathers, brothers, now can't we being their brothers, take such a risk of at least visiting them and raising voice for them.
What else has happened or is there any decrease in drones by protesting as usual,,,,, Nothing hence one has to take the risl and face the music in order to end the wrath. The one is Mr. Imran Khan and PTI the lucky one's i am not PTI member but being muslim, Pakistani and human I solute Imran khan for initiating and also do solute to all the participants of the march.
May ALLAH BLESS YOU AND THE PARTICIPANTS A VERY SAFE JOURNEY, MR. IMRAN KHAN
If anything ill happens, Imran Khan would be solely responsible.
If nothing bad happens, will the credit of that go to zardari too?
Khan is right, president is responsible, if Zardari shb dnt have power then why dont he is resign from his post
I wonder if any Pakistani politician ever takes responsibility for their own actions. Agencies have advised him against this 'adventure' - so how is it Mr. President's fault, in fact they are acting in his interest. Musharraf advised BB against coming back and yet it became his responsibility that she died. When they lose elections - it is always 'dhandlee' blah, blah, blah. I thought he was better of the lot but he has joined the club - a lost cause. Gavaskar correctly advised him to stay away politics, but no he had to venture, so if he wants to play in the big boys club then he should be mard enough to face these things.
Imran Khan "Bahadur", why didn't you name the name of President Barak Obama? President Zardari seems to have become an easy target, any one can punch him using him like a sand-bag!
@ Jihad Bil-Qalam and Umer
Going to a certain part of your country in not "JUMPING IN THE WELL". If it is really "JUMPING IN THE WELL" than who is responsible for that?. The government? Well yes! I can think of an other options.
He knows it very well that government has no control of foreign policy or drones everybody knowss it is controlled by military, but he still keeps on blaming GOVERNENT since they are easy target unlike military.
IK is going to that part of Pakistan where the state's writ is fragile and militancy is challenging it. It is funny then to imagine IK can only fully blame the state when the state's writ is established. Which can only happen if the state ends militancy through force and reclaiming territory. Which is what PTI is against!
If he hasn't done foolproof security arrangements, why is he making himself and supporters vulnerable to the whims of militants? Have they not already slayed thousands of Pakistanis as if they were mere sheep and cattle? In an aside, I am curious to know if SMQ, Khurshid Kasuri and other experienced leaders (Read: those supporting the foreign policy of last ten years) will be going for this peace march.
Mr Khan don't worry as all the terrorists are already with you! :D
Where are the drones occurring? North Waziristan. Where is Khan giong to protest ? South Waziristan. The army which was in charge of south waziristan operation and in general is the one who does not allow any interference from civilian leaders on 'security issues' has already told Khan not to come because safety cannot be assured.
It is one thiing for him to risk his own life, but he is risking the life of thousands of others. How responsible is that? Finally if something goes wrong, it is Zardari's failure. Will yo then give him credit if nothing goes wrong? Did you gie hime credit that nothing went wrong when you visited Balochistan?
If he's so concerned than he shouldn't go! Imran was the hope for Pakistan but turned out to be such a big disappointment. He's no different from the rest!
I never thought that IK will issue such irresponsible statement. This means that either something dangerous has already been planned by this playboy type of 60 plus person or he is simply trying to gain some popularity in case of deaths as a result of this so called march. He knows who holds power in this war against terrorism. In fact the government should issue warning that if any untoward incident takes place during this march then IK will be responsible. The President or PM can only get blanket protection with so many ifs and buts. This man should stop playing with the lives of foreigners and locals. Putting blame on his own wrong doings on the highest office can only be expect from a highest level stupid person. This is the reason his popularity has nose dived in few months.
Taliban Khan, your rank-and-file will welcome you. Welcome to the 'place', not geography and its people, where you belong to!
@Jihad Bil-Qalam: ppp blame musharuff for B-BHUTOO then why not IMRAN KHAN.
Whox in power (government) ppp ...whox the head of ppp mr zardari now plz plz tell me wats rong in this statement ? Government is responsible for the safety n security of ppl of pakistan n i guess waziristan is part of pakistan...
It is Zardari's responsibility that Waziristan is not a peaceful area. He is the head of the government after all.
In order to become an "Amn ka Dost" one does not have to be an "Aql ka Dushman", Kaptaan!
@Waqar:
Why Umer is quoted in case of Zardari and not for rest of them? Do you know what Umer did to his son for adultery? Umer lashed him until he was dead. You apply religion selectively where it suits you but not where it is devastating for you.
What a Delusional Individual.
When Benazir was targeted in Karachi he clearly BLAMED her for organizing a rally knowing that she would be attacked by the terrorist because of threats by the Taliban.
How things changed in such a span of time.
Isn't the FATA region directly under control of the Governors and through them the President? If so, then IK's statement makes sense as the FATA administration seems to be creating hurdles based on "security" issues...
finally he have lost it..lol
Imran Khan has become the political stuntman of Pakistan, this man is totally time waster...
Spoken like a true politician --- anything goes right he takes the credit - anything goes wrong he blames someone else.
Quote "President Asif Ali Zardari will be responsible..." what you will do afterwards Imran?you are in opposition...He is commander of armed forces dear. SC has failed to get a written letter and he is still president after 04 years
wooow..look at the comments all praise for Zardari in hate off Imran..what a phobia..I don't know how you people sleep at night..
Will Zardari care about the Imran's warning since Musharraf who was responsible for BB's death got away with it without a scratch on his body ? In Pakistan due to dirty politics and the military meddling, any thing is possible and Imran's concern about his safety is fully justified. Imran in his own interest and the party should cancel his march plan to SW as he has many enemies amongst the politicians and terror organisations who are envious of his popularity.
Zardari can not assure safety for himself if he had to take that route, how could he be responsible for someone else? On the other hand, a conspiracy of a self-inflicted attack to regain momentum on a sympathetic-wave can not be ruled out; if anything untowardly happens.
LOL! This is funny. I guess the great Khan is getting scared now that the time is coming near. Noone is asking him to go there. So, its noone's responsibility except himself.
Do you remember Hazrat Umer's sayings "I am responsible if a dog dies of hunger and if a donkey stumble upon a stone, Allah will question why I would not repair that road" With power comes the responsibility. Why govt do not encourage, why discourage? Why Zardari have never visited any northern areas being head of army? Why he is never on the forefront? Choro yar....
Imran:
You should NOT go to Waziristan if you think of any unforeseen problem which may occur during your Jalsa.
Musharraf also tried to stop Benazir Bhutto in Dubai but she came to Pakistan and got assassinated.
Don't try to flex your muscle in Waziristan to show it to nation that you can go any where and address the procession if you are not 100% sure of your security.
Militants are there to try to sabotage the peace of Pakistan.
Use your brain and also sense.
If you want to hold a Jalsa in Waziristan, address the crowd on telephone, instead of going over there in person.
This is the most irresponsible, absurd and dangerous statement from IK.
I have been telling from day dot that this guy is as shady and as opportunistic as the rest of the mob.
You go to a law less territory for political point scoring.. you risk the life of tens of thousands of people in doing that besides the advice against it by the federa;l and state gov, you rely on the security guarantees from those that kill our innocent men, women and children and our soldiers.. and you have the gall to shift the responsibility of your own juvenile actions to a head of state ..
How so irresponsible and absurd
Khan made no such allegation. The Tribune made that title to sell the story.
This is Imran bhai ka "emotional atyaachaar" (emotional exploitation). Oldest trick in the book used by false heros to whip public emotion in their favour. We already know nothing will happen (everything has been "fixed" behind the scenes) so when he comes back all well hale and hearty he will blow his own trumpet. Sir, please dont think we are such big fools that we cannot see behind all this facade.
Khan! Are you Delusional?
@Akbar Khan: If this is how things are supposed to be, then president is practically responsible for nothing other than signing on papers others have given to him. With position comes responsibility!
I am no fan of Zaradari or PPP. However, it is highly irresponsible of Imran Khan to blame Zaradari for any mishap to the PTI rally. People are aware that Waziristans are hotbed of international terrorism that also host the headquarters of Al-Qaeda Central. All intelligent people have been warning PTI and Imran Khan against taking such a huge risk by holding a rally over there. Imran Khan may be content with having three layers of security around himself, but how about the rest of the rally. God forbid, should any mishap happen over there, it is only Imran Khan who should be held accountable for making such a reckless decision.
Who is Zardari, he is President and in no way concerned with routine law and order and activities of the government. What about the Prime Minister, Interior Minister, Army Chief, ISI etc.etc. not responsible for Imran's safety. Anyway, he started shivering about the problems during march.