On Tuesday, the PTI’s youth wing led the sit-in at the toll plaza. It was attended by activists from the JI and AJIP. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
The supply routes were blocked by the PTI and its coalition partners in the provincial government – the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami Jamhoori Ittihad Pakistan (AJIP) – at two different locations in K-P initially. The sit-in is presently being held at Hayatabad Toll Plaza.
The PTI leadership has maintained that the blockade was meant to stop the US from carrying out drone strikes in Pakistan. They believe that the US is trying to sabotage the peace process.
“The party took the decision against America’s unlawful actions and [sit-ins] will continue till they stop the drone attacks,” said PTI’s central additional general secretary Saifullah Niazi. He added the federal government should take notice of this, claiming had the PTI been in power at the centre, they would have dealt with it earlier.
On Tuesday, the PTI’s youth wing led the sit-in at the toll plaza. It was attended by activists from the JI and AJIP. They protested against the drone strikes and chanted anti-US slogans, asking the government to follow resolutions passed against the drone attacks in the provincial and national assemblies.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2014.
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@unbelievable: Dear unbelievable, What benefit has Pakistan derived from this whole stupid war on the Sub-Continent?. Apart from America's image being tarnished, world wide, for some time and getting worse, Pakistan has been fighting a 12 year war it cannot afford, and is going broke, many thousands of people are prematurely dead, or hungry and homeless. The benefit Pakistan has really derived is that they have let these Western idiots know that some people in Pakistan are seriously unhappy with them. I would say that it is a compliment for Pakistan's image to be tarnished on the Western international scene.
So what benefit has Pakistan derived from this action?. Hasn't impacted drones or anything happening in Afghanistan. It has tarnished Pakistan's international reputation, diminished respect for the Federal govt, and harmed the livelihood of the thousands of truck drivers who depend on this trade to feed their families. Seems to me this is classic Pakistani "chest thumping" - hurts your chest but that's about all.
A nation who has self respect will never allow such unlawful actions as drone attacks. UNO and many other countries have shown their concern about it .We should be prepared to make greater sacrifices to stop such crime against our country.We can not sell our nation for a few dollars.
@Ahmed: What about people who have lost their livelihood due to law and order situation throughout the country and let's not get into the debate where this all started from? Although, I am all for flushing them who engage in these lawless activities but I would not put the blame on so-called 'cricketer' - It goes beyond and to the people who were and are in government since 2002.
@Zubair: And why would it not? Drivers earn their salaries and the Cricketer has eliminated their only source of income! Why doesn't he go ahead and offer them some jobs after taking away their livelihood?
Loss of livelihoods., hungry men,women and children. Unable to pay rents,school fees,doctor's visits, clothes. All for the glory and inflated ego of the Cricketer.