Participants of PTI peace march barred near Tank

Participants of PTI peace march barred near Tank Staff Report DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf’s peace march against US drone attacks, led by Imran Khan, reached Tank town after the convoy of thousands of party supporters left Dera Ismail Khan for South Waziristan tribal agency on Sunday, SAMAA reported. However, the participants were barred by local administration at a check post in Manjikhel area in Tank district near Waziristan where the link road was blocked with armored vehicles and barbed wires. Cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan, is leading Western activists and thousands of supporters on a defiant march to the tribal belt to protest against US drone strikes. Cheering crowds lined the road on Saturday to greet Khan, scattering rose petals and heating drums as the convoy of more than 100 vehicles reached Dera Ismail Khan from Islamabad. Addressing his supporters, PTI Chairman said a new Pakistan would be established together with the people of Waziristan. “We have succeeded in our mission. We want neither any clash with the local administration nor any mishap in our way to Waziristan…No one can stop the tsunami,” Khan said. “PTI has highlighted the drone issue in all over the world better that any government and Pakistani ruler,” Khan said, while leaving for Waziristan. Activists from Mianwali, Multan, Attock, Mansehra and Sindh joined the PTI march against drone strikes at different points. Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan, Kifayat Ullah, says entry of PTI rally in South Waziristan is out of question, adding that the participants would only be allowed in secure areas. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to provide security to the march until Tank, posting hundreds of police personnel and personnel from the Frontier Constabulary. Sources said the Pakistan army has also been directed to remain on standby for this purpose. Authorities said neither political activities had been banned in the province nor the march would be stopped. Moreover, at least 30 anti-drone campaigners from the United States were taking part in the march. Anne Wright, the former US Army Colonel and former US Ambassador, is leading the foreign delegation. She resigned when US started war against Iraq in March 2003. She is an antiwar activist and a member of US civil society organization which is working on peace in the world. -- SAMAA