Waziristan march: ‘Terror war can be won if tribal people part of peace process’
“I reiterate my point. The tribal people are so powerful that if you rely on them and get out of America’s war, this war can be won. You should not give the impression that you are fighting the war after taking money from the US,” Khan stated.
Explaining the reason why he is opposing a joint military operation in Waziristan, Khan said that the operation is like bombs being hurled in Waziristan to avenge the terrorism going on in Karachi. “Every day 5-10 people are being killed in Karachi. Can you think of attacking a home there [in Waziristan] with a drone in return? Do you think this is the way to win a war?”
Maintaining that all people of the country are against the war, Khan said that the main question is to think how to win it. “Since eight years, I have been saying this. Make the tribal people a part of the process and we will win the war… If the military operations were a solution, then we would have won the war eight years back.”
Commenting on the alleged threats he has received from the Taliban on holding the Waziristan march, the party chief said that he wants to send a message of peace across. “We want to send a message telling them that we are not going there to cause any loss. No one has ever done this before, but we want to go there and show them that we care.”
A list of people accompanying the PTI peace caravan will be provided to the media after the route is finalised, said Khan. “Women from America are also coming to join us, who have lost their sons in this war.”
_____________________________________________
[poll id="858"]
COMMENTS (55)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732549780-0/Speaker-Na-photo-22_04_2014-(1)1732549780-0-270x192.webp "negotiations underway between government pti over sit in venue")
People of Waziristan were not strong enough to confront Taliban, Taliban had total control of the area, and Waziristan was being used for training of suicide bomber to carryout attacks in Pakistan, which is being continued till today. That was why our army had to conduct an operation in South Waziristan. I totally disagree with Imran Khan, he is just earning political advantage of anti-US sentiments and does not have courage to denounce Taliban.
@Ch. Allah Daad: Absolutely fantastic comment. Spot on. But dont be a spoil sport. Dont snatch the dream from the dreamers eyes.
To all those supporters of IK out there.
Please provide the broad outline of proposed peace talks with Taliban. The maximum we can concede and our bare mimimum expectation. Do this and I will join Tehreek - e- Insaaf with my family. I for one would give them moon, star and everything in between in return for getting off our neck and letting us live our lives peacefully.
Imran Khan is so lovingly innocent that he forgets that TTP is not Mukti Bahini, IRA or Baluch Liberation Army. I am dead sure no one can answer me.
@Nadir: Excellent question! When they all become part of the peace process their views and wishes will be on the table for discussion.
I don't understand our own people. If some good work relating to NW is being undertaken by people with good reputation like IK, why he still gets critisized is beyond me. If IK is bringing along with him people having dodgy past. What is the big deal, don't we all make mistake. I'm not suggesting for a minute to overlook one's past but if that person is doing some good act to compensate his past then I don't see anything wrong. We're all human and prone to error. So my advice to everyone is to back IK and troops for the good work he intends to do for the brave tribal people.
@ Ch, Allah Daad and Blithe: U two are at it again arent you? On every Imran Khan post both of you get the smackdown laid on yourself yet you persist again. I must applaud your behavior like your leaders the noora brothers.
@Cautious
Search ( if you know how to) 'imran khan in tribal areas' in Google , click images and please don't post anything for a day at least ...
can some one else set example like this?
Given the timing, this looks like an appeasement press-conference, aimed towards TTP and likes, so the NWA march would be successful.
@Blithe: You PML-N walas will never get above RACISM. Just read your comment again and feel some shame you Nooners (paid from Public's tax money). Tribals are mercenaries by nature and will fight for the heighiest bidder. War for them is like football is for Uruguians . They will keep smuggling and fighting and changing sides as long as money is in it. Remember all the Pubjabis killed in Afganistan . Again shame on your RACIST mentality Nooners
Imran Khan and his followers have a typical Pakistani urban middle class mentality. They think that greatest warriors of all times who have defeated two super powers and are about to take over Pakistan will throw away their arms on our request and would agree to lead a misreable life, working as Chowkidars in our streets.
@Blithe: emphasized textTstrong texthey are mercenaries by nature and will fight for the heighiest bidder.
If this was true then Americans would have bought the Taliban and would not be loosing the war.
Best of LUck to IK! Imran Khan should be careful when he visits NW. The taliban seeking drones may get confused because of him being clean-shaven.
mr or miss moderator..why dont u post my comments??? can u give me a good idea why on my email or directly????
The great khan has a good point but I am against his march to NWA,,, Not only put his life and those women who come from the USA in danger but people might think he protects himself behind women's burka...
Why has this Nation really neglected these tribal people for past six decades ? Now that this election is due all of sudden this is marketing exercise ! These people have never really felt part of Pakistan, nor will they, as Pakistan has never really done anything to improve their lives either !
@omair shahid: Simply pak army is not occupaying force but lebarating his own land from extremists , people in punjab dont know what militancy menace is coz they never face it
@PTI Mardan My comments was not on Imran Khan as an individual per se, but the company he is having, look at Musharaf's minister of state for interior Wasim Shahzad and Jehangir Khan Tareen. I am neither a Bhutto appologist nor a NS fan. Thanks
@ all the liberals who make up lies about tribal people.
Tribal Pashtuns are not in favor of US war in Afghanistan.
Dont make up lies.
Typical politician -- guy hasn't spent a day in the tribal territories and he is making absurd speeches that imply that he is going to bring them into the fold by including them in the peace process. What nonsense -- how many deals has Pakistan made with the Taliban and how many have they honored. Guy simply doesn't understand that the Taliban have their own agenda and don't care what IK or Islamabad have to say. When America fly's home in two years - IK and the other "experts" are going to be scrambling to explain why terrorism has gotten even worse. This is your war -- like it or not.
its good Mr Khan.But it will have no benefits...
It takes courage to do what PTI is doing...let IK lead the way and let sanity prevail...hope God keeps everybody safe on the trip
We do not want politicians in our land we know about his past life. He was going out with so many girls. He had a Jewish wife. He is not welcome here and people of Pakistan should not welcome him as his past life was very unislamic.
@javeed: really if massive army operation was the solution than America would have won in Afghanistan years ago why are they getting beaten up & why is america are having talks with taliban in Afghanistan please think about it.
@usman khan add civil disobedience movement after 30 days of Lahore jalsa to the list
The good looking mullah needs to realise that all those that have done deals with the mullahs have always been bitten in the long run. Look at zab , he sucked up to the mullahs and they murdered his daughter
Its another proof that Imran is a confused person. He has been saying that its not our war. Now he wants to win it and that too with talking to the people. He is blaming Pakistan for taking action against terrorists but says nothing against those who kill our soldiers and innocent people.
@ All
Despite differences we must appreciate Imran. He is does not have state power. Those who have it are incompetent.
Actually Jinnah made a childish decision too not include the tribal regions within Pakistani fold and governments failed to secure border with Afghanistan. These tribal people which IK is romanticizing since the inception of this country are involved in car thefts, kidnappings, smuggling, drug trade and illegal production of weapons.
Imran khan is using tribals from waziristan as a platform from where he can pull followers & fanatics for PTI.
Pakistan can become a normal nation only if it becomes normal in terms of religion. Tribal people are no god father.
Hey has he spoken about shia beheading...Just curios.
In order to divert attention from previous U-Turns, Imran Khan gives new lolly pop each time...
Most recent commitments, never mind old ones...
Where is his Tsunami March Against Nato supply...?
When he is going to take case against Khawaja Asif to court...?
The answer is U-Turn...
Inshallah we will do this.. show the world...
"Give peace a change"
As a group of people from waziristan we want to warn clean shaved politician from coming to waziristan. Politics of this rsgion is based on religion first and relivion last.
Only sane voice who is putting Pakistani first. Save pakistan Pak Army generals & politicians otherwise we will hold you all accountable in this life & next.
IK logic to sit n negotiate with murders on murders terms is absurd. It would be a recipe of opening other Pandora box's where other such groups would be encouraged to follow TTP path n each government will face such conditions. Better to educate such groups to change their medieval tactics n join civilized word of 21st century.
i will support imran and his long marches when he starts raising his voice against the systematic destruction of educational institutions in KP, suicide bombings and shia killings and intolerable. He is suffering from tunnel vision and the sooner he realises that his beloved taliban stand for the complete destruction of Pakistan and our way of life the better. Till then he remains a coward
Can we establish peace by fighting proxy war of America. America has excessive weapons and it will give us for free if we keep on fighting. There are many benefits achieved by this including destabilizing region, stalling development process in Pakistan and influencing neighbors.
It is time for us to think and develop our own strategy. We have been forced into it (with connivance of our Pak Army generals like Musharaf) and we will be fighting it for ever.
Great work PTI for bring Balochistan and FATA into political process. Indeed it is beginning of a New Pakistan
If it is indeed "America's war" then why are you so concerned about winning it? 40,000 Pakistanis were not killed over the past ten years by "America's enemies" Mr. Khan. Grow up and face reality
I like his word. I hate his companions and their histories. This just does nt seem right. Something is amiss.
A message of peace for dear taliban from their brother Imran Khan.Keep it up 'main hoon na!. Imran Khan you can not fool the people all the time, you have said it repeatedly as well..Do you have a magic wand you think you can do it for unlimited time.Come on Pakistani volk is much less fool than what you think of it.Wait for election results you will be surprised.'Kahin pe nigahain kahin pe nishana'.This is pakistan.
@Omar Rawi: I am not sure what party do you support but FYI the "great" Z.A bhutto was Ayub Khan's minister,and nawaz sharif,well i guess every body knows that. Imran khan had refused when invited to become minister by gen Zia.Having said that,thats not the reason i support IK,i support him for his honesty,integrity,accomplishments and the sense of self respect he inspires in us as Pakistanis.
Go ahead IK we are with u
IK has a very wrong and romanticized view of tribals in FATA. They are mercenaries by nature and will fight for the heighiest bidder.
War for them is like football is for Uruguians . They will keep smuggling and fighting and changing sides as long as money is in it.
Remember all the Pubjabis killed in Afganistan when Tailoban government was overthrown. Those punjabis , rightly or wrongly , fought till the end for Mullah Omar's government ( and their bodies were found dead and mutilated on the streets) . The Pukhtoons, however , largely just changed sides to avoid being killed. They are practical folk . Yoû scratch their beards and you find them very money minded and practical.
I really hope IK doesn't let us down..cuz Pakistan really needs a pious leader NOW!!!
Mr Imran will loose elections due to not opposing the Taliban because 95% Pakistani hate Taliban terrorist. The example of Swat operation is known to every one Peace return only after massive Army operation but not through talks or negotiations Mr Imran people of Pakistan will reject you if you not clear your position.
Only true voice left in Pakistan.
Totally agree with IK!! May ALLAH help us in all our problems and help us make Pakistan a true Islamic welfare state....
So you are going there to tell the Taliban that you are not going to cause them any loss? What about the losses the tribal people, there families, there welfare, Pakistanis in general have suffered? You are assuming in your ever patronizing tone that the "tribal people" are in favour of the Taliban. Why dont you ask them what they want? What you will hear is that they are against the Taliban and the Pakistan Army as they have been battered from both sides. Imran Khans political opportunism of bringing America in is not what the "tribal people" are concerned with! Petty populist!
"As u sow so shall u reap" The Pakistan's Army and Politicain got dollar and indulge in the war of America so its the time to isolate ourselves from American's war.
Bomb = Bomb and Love begets love.
Think about it
Two of the guys sitting with IK were Mushy lieutnants and one is a PPP Lota, o where is the change?
Khan you are right. Great guy!
Only brave leader who has the guts to say truth.