A Nato truck makes its way to Afghanistan. PHOTO: FILE
This was announced during a press conference in Peshawar. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami Jamhoori Ittehad were also present during the press conference. The connection between the postponement of the protest and the clashes in Rawalpindi was not elaborated upon.
In a press release, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said the protest was postponed "keeping in view the grave security situation in the country". He added that the protest would now take place on November 23.
"This is not a cancellation but a postponement in response to the sensitivities of our people and the acute security situation prevailing in the country," Khan stated.
Blocking Nato supplies
The decision to block Nato supplies cropped up after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a drone strike in North Waziristan earlier this month.
PTI chairman Imran Khan had threatened to block Nato supplies going through Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan if the US did not end its drone campaign in the tribal areas. He had also accused the US of sabotaging peace talks with the Taliban by killing Hakimullah at a time when he had showed willingness to negotiate.
The K-P provincial government also convened a special assembly session on November 4 wherein it unanimously passed a resolution against drone attacks and passage of Nato supplies.
The resolution, which came after much deliberation between the government and opposition members, urged the federal government to take concrete steps to put an end to drone strikes and suggest ways to halt Nato supplies going through the country.
The resolution gave the centre till November 20 to do the same, claiming the provincial government would otherwise be independent to pursue its own course of action.
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COMMENTS (56)
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We have come too far to let any differences prevent us from achieving our shared peace objectives in the region. We've been able to overcome many obstacles and challenges in the past. At the same time, we've seen the negatives of staying on the opposite sides of the fence. Our common enemies certainly wish to see us part ways for the sake of pushing their deadly agenda forward. On the other hand, we certainly remain optimistic in regards to the future of our relationship. Our officials continue to meet to address our shared concerns in the region. The recent meeting between President Obama and PM Nawaz Sharif shows that we are not overlooking any shared concerns in regards to our common objectives in the region. It is simply imperative for us to work closely and remain unified for the betterment of the region.
Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command
I can bet that on or the 23rd we would all get to hear that the esteemed Chairman had to leave for London on a "Scheduled" visit to grace Duchess of York's charity ball for preservation of Bengal Tigers.
@Salman: Well i guess we do need to learn the difference between multiple postponements based on weak explanations and cancellation, but even before that we perhaps need to learn the meaning of 90 days.
the word delay should be the middle name of PTI. Have they ever done anything at the time they have claimed to do?
You really have to wonder if Mr.Imran Khan even has the capacity to think a problem through before he starts to promise the heaven and earth. Imagine if PTI had the mandate to rule Pakistan !
What the PKP government could do is to control the outgoing containers convoy in order to ensure that the Pakistan highway is not being used for the opium export. Its production is now reported to be in excess of the world demand.
Rex Minor
Mr Pakistani Ostrich well he has delayed the nato sit in for 4 days and it now will be held on 23rd November 2013 http://insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17593/PTI-announced-postponement-of-the-protest-dharna-against-drones-and-to-stop-NATO-supplies-from-20th-Nov-to-23rd-November.aspx
PTI Chairman Imran Khan said the protest was postponed “keeping in view the grave security situation in the country”
ROFL! The wait for 90 days never seem to end. The security situation will be grave for a long time. May be IK should fly to UK and have a 'protest' in the peaceful city of London.
Due to prevailing security environment in the country it was taken a concrete step to postpone protest against drone strike. Imran khan is a good leader and has good intention to establish peace in KPK. He knows the intensity of drone strike in the country in which number of innocent people are been killed by Americans. As for as my knowledge is concerned that he is the only man after PM Nawaz sharif who has good will/aim to do something special for this country and want to see this country's flag fly high in the world. This dream can only be come true by eliminating terrorism in the country as we have an example of Sri Lanka in front of us. Now at this crucial stage we have dire need to review/revisit our foreign policy with America as we have seen number of time in past that whenever we tried to negotiate with Taliban, He (America) sabotaged the peace talks.Let me clear here this nation has full of potential either it is in the field of computer ,medical,patriotism or any other. This is the time to get united to defend this country from unidentified enemies and should stand with our soldiers who are laying their lives for the future of this country nation.I have strong faith that our good dream will come true and this country would progress in the world and will be known by good name not by terrorism. INSHALLAH.
debateable
Thank you Imran Khan for delaying blockage of NATO supplies for only three days. We Americans are so proud of you. Now also stop collecting bhatta from Pakistanis living in USA/Canada/UK and kindly return all finances USAID has put into KP.
What a weird logic. Some sectarian clashes in which most unfortunately, 9 people lost their lives creates a grave security situation, while almost daily bombings by TTP in which thousands have lost their lives, do not constitute a grave security situation. Such a situation can be further destabilised implies the great Khan. Does it make even an iota of sense? Or is it just that this time the clashes have happened in Punjab and hence carry more weight? Again a very absurd line of logic.
Awwwwwwwwwww! And the sheep herd trolls and knucklehead kiddos supporting a personality cult of Guru Imran Mehsud Rajneesh have been hit by a freight train, yet again. Please don't wash off that face paint which y'all have smeared on your faces for so many days in anticipation of this imaginary battle which will not take place at all. Your leader has made a "Mamu" out of y'all.
Excellent decision because sectarian clashes can endanger lives due to newly development incident, thanks to the failure of punjab government.
Why do I have the feeling that this will be further postponed due to something or the other happening !
Delay doesn't mean cancel. To all the crap minds above!
Hahaha, what a lame excuse. Imran Khan is an embarrassment, I feel so bad for the PTI and it's trolls.
Imran khan doing a great job by postponing his promise. NATO will remember Imran khan for a long time for his generosity. What will they do if Imran khan really block NATO supply. This is final warning from Imran khan to NATO forces. If America continue their Drone attack on innocent Taliban ,next time they will destroy by Khan's wrath. Beware America !! Clock is ticking !!!
No supplies should be blocked. IK needs to stop throwing tantrums like a little kid. And his party needs to stop palling aroung with extremists to win a few more votes. Enough already.
NATO supplies will continue. IK's sit in will be nothing more than a political rally. The real question is if he will use his provincial administration to block supplies or not. I bet his government will do nothing and his party will scream on streets. Pinnacle of political opportunism and hypocrisy.
To save his credibility there will be a token stoppage of NATO supply and then using some excuses like employment of truck drivers, and all associated with transportation blockage will be withdrawn. In the meantime NATO supply will continue through another route( passing through other than KP )
@Aimal: -- "Right decision. The current sectarian violation does not allow it"
Pakistan remains in the similar state of affairs ( like current violent situation ) throughout the year. Endorsing the decision of PTI whether for Sit in or its postponement, blindly speaks the minds that of herd of sheep.
Great minds of tribune - Its delayed not canceled
save your rhetoric in some more appropriate news item.
@unbelievable: I'm still waiting for pmln to announce go live date of bullet train :)
I'm still waiting for him to enter FATA on his famous DRONE MARCH. In hindsight IK has turned out to be a major disappointment - self promoting politician who panders to anti USA sentiment who is long on talk and short on accomplishments.
Not to worry. Before the 23rd some other excuse will turn up.
Looks like some people need to learn the difference between cancel and postpone.
"THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK" - a sincere advice to Imran Khan. Will he listen? I think not.
All this talk of blocking this and that is shameful. And shameful politics by Imran Khan and his party. Where was Imran's outrage when thousands died in the last few months alone by the very SAME group whose chief's death has made Imran so very very angry?
PTI's alliance partners in KP government are extremist anti-state parties and it's clear Imran speaks their language too. People can keep worshipping Imran but by speaking the language of those extremists as well as extremist coalition partners, Imran Khan will make the country a pariah state with NO friends in the global comity of nations. Time for bilnd worshippers of Imran Khan to wake up because the arrogance of their party's chief will destroy the country. Economy and the reputation of the country are a LOT MORE IMPORTANT than the arrogance and the ego of any politician, party and their allies.
Imran Khan is a nice guy and is not a friend of radical actions or visionary intellect, but he is being pushed into simply because of his stupidity and this makes him more dangerous. He should better think through the action before announcing it and then making amendments. A protest march against the drone violence could have united different sects of the society and prevented the ashura violence in several parts of the country: For heavens sake, no action is better than any action which ends up in violence. Let the NATO use your highwasy if they have paid the road tax in advance and it covers the road repair costs.
Rex Minor
Enough with the hatred against Shias, Ahmadis, Israel, India, West, America,'Brazil' etc. Hatred against other nations need to condemned. Imran Khan does nothing but use external boogeymen and try to whip up hatred against other countries to cover up for the incompetence of his party in KP. People in the country are suffering, the economy has collapsed, but Imran and party are busy in their political point scoring and instigating the people against the "other" with their usual anti-Western rhetoric. Disgusting behaviour by Imran and his party.
as expected ..another u turn
@Parvez: "Wise decision." . Am I surprised!!!
i hope ET Considered changing its headlines because its delayed for 3 days and now the Sit in will be on 23rd november http://insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17593/PTI-announced-postponement-of-the-protest-dharna-against-drones-and-to-stop-NATO-supplies-from-20th-Nov-to-23rd-November.aspx
Good decision at the moment. But PTI shud stop the NATO supply at appropriate time..
ET @ Wake Up
Chairman PTI, Imran Khan, keeping in view the grave security situation in the country, has announced postponement of the protest dharna against drones and to stop NATO supplies from 20th Nov to 23rd November.
http://insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17593/PTI-announced-postponement-of-the-protest-dharna-against-drones-and-to-stop-NATO-supplies-from-20th-Nov-to-23rd-November.aspx
One More Reverse Swing by great khan
Good maybe it is time for IK to concentrate on the issues in his constituency of Rawalpindi.
As expected - PTI has got a solid reputation of promising too much and delivering ZERO. Imran Khan is a king of U Turns.
ET do mentioned that PTI have postpone it for 3 days and its now on 23rd November http://insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17593/PTI-announced-postponement-of-the-protest-dharna-against-drones-and-to-stop-NATO-supplies-from-20th-Nov-to-23rd-November.aspx
Block the dam trucks. Its our land - we decide what goes on here!
In the place it was not a good idea......
Considring the ongoing situation, PTI took very good decision in the better intrest of the country.
Hawa nikel gai PTI ke ghubare se
A Big LOL - Losers!
I am not at all in support of blocking NATO supplies, unless you have alternative to revenues it generate for Truck owners, drivers, cleaners, Tolls and above all, all charges at port for handling NATO shipments.
Al the Americans are in church tonight thanking God! If Imran Khan had not delayed stopping NATO supply NATO soldiers might have died by hunger. It also means USA is involved in the Rawalpindi incident. I love PTI politics, I also love PTI's gullible supporters.
Wise decision.