With a second drone strike in two days in North Waziristan, the second rumoured to have claimed Tehree-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakeemullah Mehsud, politicians decried the strikes as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the peace process. PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central information secretary Shireen Mazari told Express News that it is surprising that drone attacks have increased since the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned from his recent visit to the US.
Mazari said that previous government lied about the drone campaign and now the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led government is also lying about it, even interior minister Chahudh Nisar provided false information regarding the number of civilian victims died in these strikes on the floor of the senate.
She added that peace can not be restored in the country unless government parts ways with the US-led war on terror.
Mazari further said that as US have made it clear from their actions that they are not going to halt drone strikes in Pakistan, only way left to deal with this is to take down the drones.
Strange how govt told us US will ease off drones after PM's visit & 2 drone strikes sabotage peace talks just as they were to commence!
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 1, 2013
Mazari's PTI has on previous occasions threatened to block the NATO supply route that runs through Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), where the PTI heads the government. We hope the K-P assembly would soon pass the resolution to stop the NATO supply, the PTI leader said.
She demanded that government should take strong action to revive the peace dialogue, as US have showed that they are not interested in stabilising the region.
"This attack (Friday's drone strike) has showed who does not want the stability in the region," said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.
PTI Would pass a resolution from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) assembly to stop the Nato supplies from Pakistan, said Imran.
He further said he would personally table a resolution against US drone strikes in the National Assembly
PTI Twitter head Adil Ansari tweeted that Chairman PTI Imran Khan has asked K-P Govt to immediately take steps to block NATO supplies.
Chairman @ImranKhanPTI asked KP Govt to immediately discuss in parliament & approve to block NATO supplies.
— Adil Ansari (@AnsariAdil) November 1, 2013
Sindh information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon tweeted that PM should come on television and tell the nation whether government is happy over the suspected killing of Taliban commander Hakimullah Mehsud.
PM should come on tv and clear his stance regarding Hakeemulah.PM is sad or happy on death of a killer of thousands of innocent pakistanis.
— Sharjeel Inam Memon (@sharjeelinam) November 1, 2013
The Pakistan People Party's chief Opposition whip in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah also termed the strike a bid to sabotage the peace process, a day before a delegation was due to travel to Peshawar to initiate talks.
Talking to Express News, Shah said the drone strike would delay the proposed peace process with Taliban. He added that a drone attack at this crucial time indicates the US does not want to establish peace in the region.
He added that the government and military will now have to decide whether they want to take down drones or not.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Faz (JUI-F) chief Moulana Fazlur Rehman also strongly condemned the drone attack and termed it as conspiracy to sabotage the dialogue process.
COMMENTS (29)
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What a country and its political class who is mourning the death of a barbarious commander of the most deadly outfit of the world, responsible for massacring thousands of innocent people in Pakistan. Each of the political party is trying to out do each other and shedding crocodile tears in trying to avoid the aftermath of elimination of this ruthless terrorist. How can such a cowardly leadership starting from the PTI onwards protect its people and establish peace in the country by their tame surrender before the terrorists ?
I am just happy that there is one less tyrant in Pakistan.
USA: Please also send some drones over corrupt officials and domesticated terrorists.
Good job USA, keep up the good work !
@Ashar: Oh the divisiveness of their divisiveness when they are divisive IK all Pkahktoon with you, not all Pakistanis?
Music to my ears, I long for the day when senior Haqqani Network and Quetta Shura leaders meet the same fate, so Pashtuns can live with liberty and dignity once again.
More than the statements of Shireen Mazari, I am surprised at the statements of PPP leaders like Sharjeel Memon and Khursheed Shah.
The KP provincial government should stop NATO supplies going through that region, it should also close the US consulate in that area as it nothing more than a spy post.
Imran Khan seems to be the only leader speaking for Pakistan, shame the Sharif mob cheated him out of electoral victory.
Thank you drone, for the taking the revenge of killing our general and other jawans.
@Tanvir:
More likely TTP meeting was about how to plan the next suicide bombing.
@Sandip: I agree with you. Our nation has lost the difference between good and bad. This person had butchered thousands of innocents in years and our people are blaming US for getting rid of him.
And TTP killed 6 Pakistani soldiers only 2 days ago.I guess that does not qualify as sabotaging the talks.
The question is where is the govt and the generals. Don't they want peace. If they do then why dont they stop the drones or just shoot them down.
Isn't Pakistan happy that their worst enemy Hakimullah Mehsud has been killed ? better be thankful to Americans and don't indulge in this street drama. Or else say that he was your man and you mourn his death.