The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a protest in Peshawar against drone strikes in the tribal districts, with participation from government ministers, members of the assembly, and party officials.
PTI made it clear that drone attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are unacceptable and warned that if they are not stopped, the party will take all necessary steps to halt them.
The protest was organized on the instructions of PTI's founding chairman, who had called for demonstrations in the tribal areas.
The protest in Peshawar's Hashtnagri area was attended by PTI's provincial president Junaid Akbar, former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Peshawar region president Atif Khan, provincial ministers Ihtesham Ali, Abdul Karim Tordher, Meena Khan Afridi, Arif Ahmedzai, Pir Maswar, district president Irfan Saleem, Arbab Sher Ali, Kamran Bangash, Fazal Elahi, Shandana Gulzar, and other party officials.
Speakers at the protest condemned the drone strikes, stating that innocent civilians are being targeted.
They described the attacks as a violation of human rights and an affront to national sovereignty, and urged the federal government to take immediate notice.
They noted that the founding chairman of PTI has consistently opposed drone strikes and raised his voice against them at international forums. Due to PTI's firm stance, no drone strikes occurred during its time in power.
The speakers added that the entire nation stands with the founding chairman's position.
PTI was the first party to oppose drone strikes and even staged a sit-in to block NATO supply lines.
The founding chairman was the only leader who had the courage to say "Absolutely Not" to a superpower, claimed speakers.
"If these attacks are not stopped, we will stop them ourselves," the speakers warned. The provincial government has also issued a policy statement declaring that drone strikes will not be accepted within the province.
They emphasized that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has endured conflict for over 40 years, which has devastated its economy. The province relies heavily on trade with Afghanistan and seeks good relations with its neighbor.
The leaders also vowed to continue their struggle against the 26th Constitutional Amendment and said that the nation would once again take to the streets to demand the release of PTI's founding chairman.
They criticized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claiming he only holds a mandate of 16 seats and questioning the legitimacy of his administration, alleging that even the families of some government lawmakers do not acknowledge them as MNAs.
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