Voicing discontent: Government employees protest drone strikes
Participants termed the strikes ‘an attack and a conspiracy’ against intended negotiations between TTP and govt.
Participants termed the strikes ‘an attack and a conspiracy’ against intended negotiations between TTP and govt. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
Employees of various departments demonstrated against drone strikes on Sher Shah Suri Road on Monday.
Participants termed the strikes ‘an attack and a conspiracy’ against intended negotiations between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and government.
The protest was led by Pakistan Workers’ Confederation (PWC) Provincial President Gohar Taj. Wapda Hydro Union Provincial Chairman Muhammad Iqbal, Wapda Hydro Union General Secretary Mustajab Mazdooryar, Pakistan Railways Union President Ishfaq Bacha, People’s Labour Bureau President Anwar Zeb and others also participated.
Pakistan is passing through a critical phase and dialogue with militants could prove a good omen for the country, claimed Taj. “However, by killing the TTP chief in a drone strike, USA violated international law, as well as the integrity and sovereignty of the country,” he added. This was tantamount to attacks on peace talks, maintained participants of the protest.
The demonstrators asked the federal government to initiate negotiations soon to bring stability in the country. They also asked the centre to put an end to drone strikes, halt privatisation of national institutes, eradicate unemployment or else face millions of workers protesting.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th,2013.
Employees of various departments demonstrated against drone strikes on Sher Shah Suri Road on Monday.
Participants termed the strikes ‘an attack and a conspiracy’ against intended negotiations between the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and government.
The protest was led by Pakistan Workers’ Confederation (PWC) Provincial President Gohar Taj. Wapda Hydro Union Provincial Chairman Muhammad Iqbal, Wapda Hydro Union General Secretary Mustajab Mazdooryar, Pakistan Railways Union President Ishfaq Bacha, People’s Labour Bureau President Anwar Zeb and others also participated.
Pakistan is passing through a critical phase and dialogue with militants could prove a good omen for the country, claimed Taj. “However, by killing the TTP chief in a drone strike, USA violated international law, as well as the integrity and sovereignty of the country,” he added. This was tantamount to attacks on peace talks, maintained participants of the protest.
The demonstrators asked the federal government to initiate negotiations soon to bring stability in the country. They also asked the centre to put an end to drone strikes, halt privatisation of national institutes, eradicate unemployment or else face millions of workers protesting.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th,2013.