Making its way towards South Waziristan, the convoy of at least 100 vehicles has reached DI Khan. A large number of people have gathered to greet Khan, who will be arriving in the city shortly.
There is little official security with Khan and the foreign journalists and members of civil society traveling with him. Members of Insaf Student Federation are personally providing security to the party chief.
From DI Khan the convoy will head towards Tank.
More people had earlier joined the rally at Jahaz Chowk in Mianwali, which is Khan’s former parliamentary seat.
"I condemn the hypocrisy of the government, who tried their best to make this march fail," Khan told around 5,000 supporters at a brief halt on the outskirts of Mianwali.
"They are saying that Taliban have sent nine suicide attackers. If (President Asif Ali) Zardari sends even a 100 suicide attackers this march will not stop," added Khan.
As Saturday wore on, it appeared increasingly unlikely the protesters would be allowed to reach their destination.
The government says the Taliban plan to attack the rally, authorities told AFP it was not safe for Khan to enter the tribal belt and television broadcast footage of shipping containers closing the road into South Waziristan.
According to sources, the administration in Tank has set up containers on all routes leading to South Waziristan and will not allow the rally to proceed any further.
The administration has also said that any foreigners who do not have permission letters for entering Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will not be allowed to enter the province.
An emergency was imposed in Tank and police holidays were recalled for dealing with the march.
Chief Coordinatior DI Khan PTI Malik Abdul Qayyum Khan said that the government had blocked routes between Tank and Pezo and had set up containers from DI Khan to Tank and at Manzai to stop the peace march from going beyond Tank.
Khan says Rehman ‘hypocrite’
Speaking to the media before leaving Islamabad, Khan had said, “[Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief] Maulana Fazlur Rehman is spewing venom against our peace march by calling us agents of Jews and Christians.”
Calling Rehman a “hypocrite”, Khan said that his condemnation against drones is only “superficial” and that the JUI-F chief did not want the drone campaign to end as it is running their “business”.
Answering a question regarding security threats to his march, Khan had said that if someone tries to stop them, they will stop.
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I understand the need to condemn US drone strikes. But thats not the only party that needs to be held accountable. What about the Army and the Taliban? Surely they have killed innocent civilians too. Where is the brave and mighty King IK when it comes to the latter?
We need the leader like Imran Khan. I think we all are lucky. We must try him because we tried every one then what's wrong with Khan?
@salim: Better than no march at all!
Allah Bless You All..........
@watchtower: Dear this is not drama because u r not feeling the heat the fear of Innocent killed by the drone attacks. They all are scared and if someone want to go there to support them why u criticizing.
'First they ignore u, then they laugh at u, then they fight u and then U win'. Kudos to Imran khan who does not see the distinction between tribal area and rest of Pakistan. The best way to establish the writ of the state is to reach out to those at the periphery. The nation's prayers are with all those who have left the comfort of their homes to reach out to our brothers and sisters across Pakistan.
Let give a chance to peace....
Brave captain to a brave leader. Pray that he comes back safe and sound.
Imran/PTI are tools of Army & ISI just the way Nawaz Sharif/IJI were their tools in the election just after the elimination of Zia. Nawaz has become wiser since then. So all Pakistanis, beware of IK & vote for Nawaz!
@Something Clever: why is that we pakistanis have become cynical... Let Imran Khan show what he wants to show by this and if he fails we ll criticize him, which by the way we are best at... I think he has so far achieved what he wanted to achieve.. See the western media talking about drones... And by the way what are all the other (so called) leaders doing???
IK is a fool i would say
Cheetah. God bless you Imran Khan the only true leader in this hopeless nation !!
Ask the educated ladies and even men from the area and they think the drones are doing a good job. They are eliminating the terrorists and a lot of them have been eliminated. Imran Khan should not show show any softness towards the terrorists. None. He will loose all credibility. As it is he has no agenda of Structural Reforms. Without land reforms and introduction of land ceiling you cannot have a healthy change in the body politic of the country. Think well Imran and then you will act right. This march is good for expansion of your vote base. Keep it up.
so taliban is sending suicide bombers to this rally thats protesting strikes against these very same talibans...??..go figure..!!!!..only in pakistan
While speaking with John Humphrys of Radio 4 Mr Khan said he would shot down drone if UN declared them illegal. Instead of taking people to harms way after asking protection from TTP, he should have been protesting in front of GHQ and should also be condemning Pak Air Force's aerial bombardment via the USA provided F16s.
may Allah protect them and all of us. TTP has threatened peace march, we know whose side they are on. blowing up schools and in favor of drone attaks, and attacking ordinary people. it's very clear.
appreciate your mobilizing skills but always have achievable goals which in this case will be to have drones strikes stopped and total banning of foreign goods in pakistan ,with total extrication of Americans from Pakistani soil.
@adnan siddiqi
Judging by the response I would say he has hit more then the jackpot. The objective of highlighting the issue in the international media has already been achieved....and tsunami also seems to be rising again.
Mian sahib will be severely disappointed when he checks his sleeves tonight and realises he has no more aces to play....only jokers left.
May allah protect you my leader. Only solution to pakistan problems. My leader IMRAN KHAN.
*why the government of Pakistan is not letting Imran Khan enter South Waziristan unless off course Zardari government and the pentagon drone program are on the same page. I always thought before that the destabilization of Pakistan is due to the U.S, but in fact it is our corrupt and hypocrite leaders who have made the country a banana republic. May ALLAH enlightenment us to see right from wrong, and save us from zardari, sharif, fazlurehman etc in future. otherwise we have no hope left. *
Professor Nikos what ever you said is so true. The war has become a business now apparently.
@Nikos Retsos: You have said what I wanted to say, in words better than I could ever have dreamt of. Thanks and regards.
@Khan of Cape Town: You have crossed the line.
Good Luck Khan ! No one would face death only for politics. You are fighting for the cause. There are many problems in Pakistan which you will solve inshAllah. If you are doing politics with this Peace March, even then we appreciate you as you are going in such areas where other politicians would never go in such circumstances. Wish you all the BEST MR. Captain !
International media is quite keenly covering this event. It's a good step by PTI to raise awareness particularly amongst the people of America (and other countries that toe the line of American imperialist forces) about the atrocities being committed in the name of 'war on terror'. In saying that, radicalism seems to have stunted the 'social evolution' in Pakistan. However, if the socioeconomic deterioration was dealth with/ resolved, many of the problems arising from radicalism may dissipate.
@salim
what odd logic...you want them to march on foot? What point does that make? Thats like me saying, you have pen and paper, why are you using a computer?
Please look at the message of the march rather then the makes of the cars
BEST OF LUCK. WE R WID U.
Stupid because: 1) drones are effective 2) it is exceedingly dangerous
A man of strong nerves. A man of words. Honest and straightforward.
Sign this petition for Imran Khan
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/JointhevirtualmarchagainsttheUSdronewar/?wDNuAbb
Imran Khan has taken the bold step of walking on thorns and burning coal. The TTP is a barbarous organization with a flip flop policy. At one time they are warning IK and at a another they are offering to provide protection. A decisive step has to be taken and IK has taken it. It is the GOP that has to provide protection to its citizens in Waziristan. However, if they fail to do that, then it will openly prove a point that the GOP has failed and Pakistan is up for the grabs. Salams
dnt wish lucks, join da rarrlyyy.u wl wish lick on da voting dy
The U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen, are as stupid as Bashar Assad's airstrikes on the Syrian rebels. But the stupidity of American leaders - Obama and his predecessors - has been the worst of all American leaders since WWII. As the world suspects, U.S. presidents are not really leaders; they are marionettes of the top 1% of the U.S. corporate interests (that 1% that the anti-Wall Street protesters slammed in last years protests) who control the U.S. Military and Industrial Complex, and the massive media and telecommunications media. U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower admitted on his inaugural speech to the U.S. Congress in 1956 that the above corporations control the U.S. government, and that they make policy - not politicians. That is why most foreigners say they hate the U.S. government, but not the American people. And that is why there are Americans marching with Imran Khan, while others like me here also support the march. The U.S. Predator drones strikes in Pakistan and anywhere do not represent us; they represent the dogs of war that owns America, buy policy and decision-making with political constitutions (legalized bribes) to all politicians, and control unions and millions of workers with "war related" production and jobs!
Airstrikes and Predator drones strikes do not win wars - as Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan have proven. They just increase the hostility against the U.S. But for the dogs of war at the U.S. Military and Industrial Complex, more wars means more orders for golden plated weapons and war goods, and more $ trillions in profits ! And as former U.S. presidential candidate, U.S. congressman Ron Paul said, "the $ 10 billions a month" the U.S. wastes in Afghanistan could be better used to help the poor in America!"
The U.S. Predator drones strikes in Pakistan have, therefore "two victims": a) the dead civilians in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and b) the "have nots" (the poor Americans) who pay for those strikes with their abject poverty and joblessness! Nikos Retsos, retired professor
Only brave and bold will survive in the country. It is not place for those who left us in hard times.
Imran Khan presents a sorry disposition of a delinquent and compulsive gambler sitting in a Las Vegas or Atlantic City Casino who has lost all of his wager to satisfy his inflated ego and attempting to play his last hand hoping against hope that we would hit the jackpot and cover all of his losses.
Just like all the past wagers, this one would also blow up on his face and his only remaining roll of the dice would be the farcical Intra-Party elections which he would try to cash politically.
Pity for Pity Tehreek!
@Leopard:
Yeah Political Drama?
Life at stake and you call it political drama. I dont know who am i voting in these election. But one thing is for sure, this man(Imran Khan) is risking his life for something. either it works or not. Allah knows. but please dont call it a political drama. He is motivated. and Cause in this case is his priority even before his life and thats for sure. Think Neutral.
Ofcourse the people of that part of pak are uncivilized and don't want anyone to oppose their views...and so on... But IK is not supporting the terrorists but his aim is to tell the world that US drones are causing deaths of innocent people..And that is whhy he wants to go there ...KP and FATA are the parts of Pk everyone should have the riight to go there ...if IK has a plan to chane the lot of that part then why the govt is opposing him....
Bad, not bold step. This peace march drama will change nothing on ground. Imran feels safe with media and foreigners. Once media and foreigners are stopped to proceed further, he will be the first one to call it off.
@watchtower
Done that many times and what has been achieved, beside its not a protest its a solidarity march with ppl who live in area and been facing state sponsored terrorism and crimes against humanity.
whether he fails or success, since you don't care either way what is then the problem?
If any member of this march, lost his life who will be responsible it is sure, that leader never lost their life, only ordinary worker give their life. IK should be careful, now real test for him Is he is going to do same other leaders has been doing,or he really come in front of danger Let see the result in couple of days Any way, best wishes for IK
@Kay Kay: Then he has made it to waziristan. As if everybody did,nt know that he will not be allowed entry into waziristan then why this whole big drama. He could have considered a huge protest in front of the presidency, the US embassy or the GHQ.
We love you Imran Khan. You are a true leader of this nation who can bring real change in pakistan. We will inshallah vote for him and will bring him into power to get rid of looters like zardari and nawaz shareef. Goodluck Imran Khan, we are with you and prayers of millions of mothers of this nation are with you.
Wishing you Godspeed ....
Regardless if khan gets to South wazirstan or not, but atleast the message has gone across the world against american drone strikes. Most our so-called leaders do not even have the courage to speak against american brutality.
@Watchtower... Stop being so naive & accept the truth. Hiding your bitterness behind sarcasm wont help you, mate.
I wish you good luck and safe return...I think it is not a very sensible step taken b Mr Khan at this stage. I am not the supporter of PTI but I know many whose only hope is Imran Khan, so if something happens to him I can see how hopeless would be these people.
@Khalid: Drones being discussed around the world For the next attack?
There is a thin line between boldness and stupidity.
Bold step taken by imran khan.this will lead to building of new pakistan.next step should be peaceful march on the burning issues faced to masses of pakistan to create awareness in the general public about their real issues and their solution.
it is indeed a bold step by PTI and imran khan, non of the politician and even government have to courage to stand up the rights of there people, everyone is protecting their interests.....
I hope that Imran Khan will take out next rally for the rebuilding of the schools destroyed by Taliban in the FATA area...may be naught as he doesn't want to be on the wrong side of the Taliban...after all he has to negotiate with them power sharing in FATA after becoming PM of Pakistan...PTI will never condemn the atrocities of Taliban by taking their names, as it censures American authorities for drone attacks...
A classic case of SELECTIVE bravery...
This march barely started and it is a success already, because drones being discussed around the world.
one question - why everyone including government is against Imran for this march? definitely they dont like him to go ahead with it but why? isnt protest allowed in democracies? Looks like all cronies of the Big Uncle Sam doesnt want this to go ahead. I dont think they like Imran too much they want him to be safe, if its only a security threat!
I wish Imran Khan all the best...May he succeed in his endeavours and bring peace and prosperity in Pakistan...Insha Allah...
@Watchover... They are not hooligans & they wont attack the security personnel if stopped at check posts. Do you want them to do the same what the rest of the lot did on Ishq e Rasool day? PTI is a civilized movement & believe in peace, is there anything wrong in that?
This is a very bold step by Imran Khan & PTI and it is commendable. This demonstrates his and his party members strong will for a cause. This type of strong will along with sincerity and team capability is needed to turn around bad governance in Pakistan. I wish them all the success.
Imran's political stature is at stake here & I hope it turns out to be another success story for him. Unfortunately, despite the fact that no one among the leadership can do what Imran is doing, he is still being ridiculed from every corner...be it the shameless political (so called) leaders or the opinion leaders in Media. Such a hopeless nation we've turned into.
if someone tries to stop them, they will stop Mr khan this is not even the beginning and you are speaking of stopping. Go to Kotkai. If you return short of that, then your whole drama will stand exposed to those who believed in you. At least i am not on of those.
Goodluck Khan - we love you! Join you soon inshAllah in KP
IK is king