November 23: PTI protest set to start in the shadow of first K-P drone strike
Opposition to US attacks inside Pakistan has shaped the party’s rhetoric.
An attack in Hangu district is likely to put pressure on Imran Khan’s party to take concrete action to back up their strong stance. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
As the first ever drone attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) coincided with an anti-drone protest planned by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the provincial government is looking at tough times ahead.
Several members of the ruling coalition lashed out against the strike in Hangu. “If they attacked Hangu today, they might attack Islamabad tomorrow,” said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) central vice president and K-P finance minister Sirajul Haq as he condemned Thursday’s attack. “If the government cannot protect its aerial and territorial integrity, it cannot rule.” The US ambassador should be expelled from the country, added Haq.
According to JI President K-P chapter Professor Muhammad Ibrahim, Thursday’s strike was the start of drone attacks in settled areas of the country.
Minister for Health Shaukat Yousafzai also expressed great concern, claiming the hit in a settled area has increased security risks for Pakistan. He argued the federal government needs to take steps against the drone campaign as the capital is not far from where Thursday’s strike occurred.
Opposition to US drone attacks inside Pakistan has shaped PTI’s rhetoric and policy. An attack in Hangu district is likely to put pressure on Imran Khan’s party to take concrete action to back up their strong stance.
If the PTI is successful in gathering over 200,000 people in Peshawar, as it aims to, on November 23, a ripple effect would see both provincial government and centre in a face off regarding the next step in the Nato/drone two-step.
Thursday’s attack has also thrown the federal government a curveball, leaving it opens to a hailstorm of criticism. Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had earlier made a statement claiming the US government had promised to temporarily halt drone attacks if a peace process is initiated with the Taliban.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2013.
As the first ever drone attack in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) coincided with an anti-drone protest planned by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the provincial government is looking at tough times ahead.
Several members of the ruling coalition lashed out against the strike in Hangu. “If they attacked Hangu today, they might attack Islamabad tomorrow,” said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) central vice president and K-P finance minister Sirajul Haq as he condemned Thursday’s attack. “If the government cannot protect its aerial and territorial integrity, it cannot rule.” The US ambassador should be expelled from the country, added Haq.
According to JI President K-P chapter Professor Muhammad Ibrahim, Thursday’s strike was the start of drone attacks in settled areas of the country.
Minister for Health Shaukat Yousafzai also expressed great concern, claiming the hit in a settled area has increased security risks for Pakistan. He argued the federal government needs to take steps against the drone campaign as the capital is not far from where Thursday’s strike occurred.
Opposition to US drone attacks inside Pakistan has shaped PTI’s rhetoric and policy. An attack in Hangu district is likely to put pressure on Imran Khan’s party to take concrete action to back up their strong stance.
If the PTI is successful in gathering over 200,000 people in Peshawar, as it aims to, on November 23, a ripple effect would see both provincial government and centre in a face off regarding the next step in the Nato/drone two-step.
Thursday’s attack has also thrown the federal government a curveball, leaving it opens to a hailstorm of criticism. Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had earlier made a statement claiming the US government had promised to temporarily halt drone attacks if a peace process is initiated with the Taliban.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2013.