Protests against drone strikes take place in K-P, FATA

Triggered by India’s likely inclusion in Nuclear Suppliers Group.

KHAR/ HANGU/ PESHAWAR/ PARACHINAR/ BANNU: Activists of various political parties protested against drone strikes in Pakistan. The protests were held in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Fata on Friday.

Out on streets

In Peshawar, Jamaat-ud-Dawa workers carried out a protest rally against the American drone strikes inside Pakistan. The activists demanded the government form strong defence policies to protect the sovereignty of Pakistan against the enemies’ nefarious designs. The protesters decried the support of United States for Indian membership to Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and warned the step would negatively impact strategic stability in the region.

“America wants India to be the only superpower in the region,” leader of JuD in Peshawar, Ghazi Inamullah, said while addressing the rally. “India and America consider Pakistan as their enemy….” He added, “Our country also possesses drone technology, if American drones were not stopped, Pakistan will be compelled to use it for its defence.”

Inamullah added, “Our government, with support of national defence institutions, has to devise a policy to counter the conspiracies.”

About the inclusion of India in NSG, he said, it is a step that would affect not only Pakistan defence [policy] but also its economy.



“US and India are destroying peace and stability in the region,” said Haji Muhammad Iqbal, another local leader of JuD. “Our country should not be exposed to nefarious tactics of these countries.”

The rally started from Markaz Khyber of JuD situated near Fawara Chowk and passed through Sher Shah Suri Road. The protesters stopped outside Peshawar Press Club and demonstrated. They criticised the Pakistani government for not taking stern steps for the security and protection of Pakistan.

Recalling past event

In Hangu, JuD and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat workers protested against the drone attack in Balochistan in May that killed Mullah Mansur. The protest was held after the Friday prayers. A number of traders, lawyers and religious leaders participated.

“Drone attacks are against the country’s sovereignty and violate international law,” a protester said. “We condemn such attacks.”

Similarly in Bannu, workers of various political parties protested on the same issue. They burnt tyres and blocked roads.

Protest was also held in Kurram Agency.

In Bajaur Agency, the workers of JUI-F and PML-N protested the first-ever drone strike of Pakistan that happened in 2006 in Khar, Bajaur Agency.

They called it an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty. The drone strike of 2006 had hit a seminary in Dama Dola.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2016.