PTI chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Tuesday threatened to choke Nato supply routes to Afghanistan if the federal government fails to announce a schedule of talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) by November 7.
The issue of halting Nato supply is at the top of the agenda in the party core committee meeting on Sunday, November 2. PTI is deliberating as to how to mount pressure on the centre to compel the US to shut down its highly controversial drone programme.
“Imran Khan will deliver the final ultimatum to stop drone strikes on November 2 — if it remains unaddressed then the government will be facing public wrath soon,” warns PTI Deputy Secretary General Imran Ismail.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government failed to announce talks schedule with Taliban despite earning full mandate given by all political parties in recently held All Parties Conference (APC), the PTI laments.
PTI meeting will decide either to halt Nato supply routes or to set a deadline for the federal government to implement APC recommendations, Ismail added.
The party meeting will also discuss the option of military operation against militants in case the proposed talks with TTP fail, party sources said.
TTP’s sole demand of halting drone strikes should be taken seriously, said PTI Chief Imran Khan, adding that “drones are hurting the slow process of dialogue with Taliban. ”
Nisar meets UK delegation
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said drones were not acceptable to the government at any cost and the military leadership also agrees on the issue.
He conveyed this message to a British delegation comprising members of the House of Commons Defence Committee. The delegation discussed the present and future situation in Afghanistan, the aftermath of the drawdown of the Nato/Isaf forces in 2014 and the current state of relations between Pakistan and the UK, read an official statement.
Border tension
The minister also said that a similar role should be played in the context of India as Nawaz Sharif has already gone the extra mile to further the cause of peace.
While discussing the response from India on the positive statements from the Pakistan PM, Nisar said, unfortunately, the response from India is far from satisfactory and there is a constant tendency to drum up the posture of confrontation from across the border.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2013.
COMMENTS (42)
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@Syed Zafar Hussain: If IK is the only hope left in your country then be sure that you are living in a hoeless nation . The childish statement again and again . When the federal govt. can't stop drone strick in next two years then how he can do it in next two days ? He is now on a pitch of politics and not on cricket pitch , my dear .
@unbelievable What do you mean "sat silently"? You're saying it as if PTI Wants the people of KPK to die. Are you mistaking Imran by Darth Vader by any chance? Because unless you've totally boycotted all sources of media, you should know that they are taking each and every step possible to curb terrorism which includes making their own intelligence agency and assembling a commando force ( which needless to say demands billions of rupees as well as ample amount of time). So when you say "sat silently" I really dont know what you are talking about because, yes, terrorism is a HUGE problem but Imran is taking every step possible to curb it. You might wanna read the same tribune article to clear up "the fog in your concepts" http://tribune.com.pk/story/624362/hidden-hand-police-arrest-gang-responsible-for-qissa-khwani-blast/
@unbelievable: Dear unbelievable, Really! US politicians have been threatening, invading countries, killing, and destroying foreign infrastructure for years, but I am not aware that any of them have been sued or thrown into jail. Perhaps you could enlighten ET readers with more accurate data? Oh, I almost forgot. Following NATO airstrikes on Pakistani troops in 2011 the Pakistan Government closed the supply routes down for quite some time. I am not aware of anybody in the Pakistan Government being sued or thrown into jail as a result. I cannot personally think that any reasonable person would wish to sue IK for trying to save innocent people from being blown into little pieces the way that grandmother was the other day.
@NYC:
This the same guy who has sat silently while Taliban thugs have terrorized the people? This the same elected leader who's party is responsible for governing a territory that it has almost no control over - a party that has abdicated control to the Taliban? Anti drone rhetoric doesn't make up for that.
@ Adnan Siddiqi Although I am not a PTI supporter yet I must say thank you for your kind words about the leadership of this party. Thank you once again.
@Mogambo..if suicidal bomber fall on you,then you will realize..
I.K if you have the courage stop the NATO supply ...do not play with the sentiment of the nation
He won't dare, he might be chronically naïve but he isn't stupid.
Now it is the time to "Walk the Talk". Lead from the front. When the NATO supplies were stopped after the Salala incident, there was no drone attacks, and subsequently no bombs attacks as well, save a few.
a political stunt being played by PTI....
@the Skunk:
Stop being naive man, Get some fresh air if you cannot handle my leader IK's vision.
mr PeaceMonger imran khan already said he will give final ultimatum on November 2. so wait for 2 days.
The Establishment is cleverly using the Political class to fight one another to prevent the Government from achieving any success, in the process discrediting it. Nobody has anything good or positive to offer, agenda of all is negative and diversionary. The real battle will need guns not talk, sooner or later it has to be fought. Postponing the inevitable to a later date will only increase the costs and casualties.
@PeaceMonger: Once again, IK is making reckless statements that could lead the country into further turmoil and economic destabilisation. One shouldn't dare him, he is stupid enough to stand up to it with a chauvinistic stance, yet without measuring the dire consequences that the nation will pay and not him. The government was voted and should be allowed to govern without having a gun put to its head as such.. IK, the bad loser is constantly making ethically wrong statements. Instead, please stick to his campaign promises in KPK which unfortunately is worse off under the PTI government....
Let him try to do it and he will get no visas to visit his sons or NATO will just cough and he will scupper his plans. This is the PTI is good at..........fight, criticize, and complain to create national instability and unrest. Why don't his sons join him in Pakistan? Salams
Pakistani public Loosing Patience in 150 days as far as PTI concern. - What about 67 Years and particualry 35 years of this ruling party. DOUBLE STANDARDS
Peaceful dialogue is the only ultimate solution either today or after next 100 years of war, killing or blaming each other. While those who have been engaged in making conspiracy they have been failed and will be failed in implementing their agenda in future. Those forces who are against the dialogue process are the traitors and true enemies of both Islam and Pakistan. The dialogue process must be made practically faster instead of making false media statement and propaganda. The concept of opposing state within state is the Pakistan establishment immature and imprudent idea.
Stop NATO supplies immediately ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I support PTI Tsunami...ok truck trail if not tsunami.
'The minister also said that a similar role should be played in the context of India as Nawaz Sharif has already gone the extra mile to further the cause of peace." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I would say thousands of miles.....as his futile flying to Beijing Istanbul Washinton and London amply substantiates.
Please help Pakistan
http://reviewpakistan.com
We sport imran khan
@PeaceMonger: Be careful what you wish for (in a good way) Imran Khan is one person who has the political will to follow through with his threats and it is indeed every Pakistani's wish to see an end to drone strikes.
ET cannot get enough of PTI, please stop it now, Time to look after real time journalism to help Pakistan focus on real issues. :)
Love you IK
won't it be a disaster if the provincial assembly defy's center challenging the state's writ? Do agree principally with IK's stance however not sure if such disobedience is the right way to do it.
Well done... he will do what he says... not like others
Dear Imran Khan, Keep up the pressure. Pakistan has to stop the US war criminals who are killing innocent Pakistani men, women and children.
Its funny how today, US congressmen stood up against their own govt and publicly denounced the foreign policy of drones. Meanwhile here , the ones being bombed, are debating whether its productive or not. Imran Khan is literally the only politician in the whole arena to raise his voice against the silent tyranny taking place in FATA and is willing to go to extreme limits to defend his people. And then people have the gall to criticise him for that! Well done Pakistan. God is proud of you "rational thinkers"!
Mr.Khan, enough talking. Show us what you can do. Dare you to stop NATO supplies !