Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Monday hinted at extending support to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) peace rally scheduled for October 6 against US predator strikes in tribal areas, saying any good step by any political party beneficial to people of Waziristan will be supported.
TTP South Waziristan commander Ameer Muhammad while talking to Business Recorder on telephone from an unknown location said the TTP is still considering what action, if any, to take with respect to the proposed PTI rally and the final decision in this regard will be taken within a few days; he however acknowledged that the rally is aimed at protesting US drone attacks, which kill innocent people.
According to sources, the TTP is going to hold a meeting within few days, in which it will decide whether to support the PTI rally or not. However, the sources claimed that Waliur Rehman Deputy Amir of the TTP had advised Imran Khan not to proceed with the rally citing security reasons.
When contacted PTI spokesman Shafqat Mehmood denied any contact with Taliban and expressed the hope that the rally will be a huge success as they are going to protest against drone attacks. "We've no contact with them [Taliban] but what we've heard is that they are happy with the rally as PTI is the first ever political party in the country's history, which has taken a tough stand against US drone attacks," he added. He said that a big gathering of the notables of Waziristan was held at Tank and included Mehsud, Burki, Behtani, Gandapur as well as tribes of other areas and they all welcomed the PTI rally.
He further added that the gathering was addressed by Khalid Masood and Malik Masood Ahmed Abdulai and all tribes offered security to the participants of the rally. Meanwhile, Pakistan embassy in the US and high commission in the UK have reportedly refused visas to a good number of renowned journalists and peace activists aspiring to participate and cover PTI's anti-drone rally under the pretext of security concerns. Pakistani authorities have further stated that the country's policy strictly prohibits the movement of foreigners in Pakistan's tribal areas and PTI cannot guarantee security to people whom it has invited to participate in its SWA rally.
A senior PTI leader told Business Recorder that the government, which covertly backs the drone attacks, is afraid that if the rally is successful the party would gain even more popularity. He said that Pakistan high commission in the UK has rejected visas to renowned journalists including Carol Crayson and Yacine Helali to participate in Waziristan peace march. "Let them do whatever they like but PTI rally will be a huge success and will send a clear message across the globe that drones are counter productive," he maintained.
Sources in PTI confirmed that visas had also been refused to journalists and peace activists by the Pakistan Embassy in the US. However, he said foreign correspondents currently present in Pakistan and other journalists and peace activists holding active visas would certainly participate in the rally.
Sources said another excuse extended by the officials of Pakistan embassy in the US and high commission in the UK to journalists is that as the visa process takes around two months they should have applied earlier. Sources clarified that refusal of visa on security pretext was totally baseless. "PTI has made excellent arrangements for the security of all the participants of the march," sources added.
It has also been learnt by senior officials at the Interior Ministry that the government is also extending city specific visas to foreign journalists - a limitation that hitherto was extended only to India nationals and that too on a reciprocal basis. "We have not issued directives to prohibit the entry of foreign journalists specifically," a senior official of the Interior Ministry stated and hinted that it could be for security concerns.
The PTI leadership is trying to ensure extensive coverage of the event both - in national and international media. As per schedule released by PTI, Imran Khan along with participants of the rally including foreign nationals, will leave Islamabad at 9:00am on October 6. The rally participants would have a night's stay at DI Khan. In the morning of October 7, the caravan would leave for Waziristan.
Ignoring a travel warning issued by the US State Department for Pakistan, a 30-member US civil society delegation has already reached Islamabad to participate in the PTI rally. The delegation includes civil society members and parents of US Army soldiers. Anne Wright, a former US Army colonel and former US diplomat, will lead the delegation. She resigned from the Army when US went to war in Iraq in 2003. She is now an anti-war activist and a member of the US civil society organisation working for peace in the world.
Awami National Party (ANP) accused PTI of having links with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and accused Pakistan spy agencies of being behind the rally. Talking to Business Recorder senior vice President of ANP Haji Adeel said that without TTP and agencies support, no political party could organise a rally in Waziristan. "The PTI is going ahead with its scheduled rally without any opposition by Taliban and agencies, which clearly indicates who stands with whom," said Adeel.
He further said that ANP rallies were targeted and bombed even in settled areas, and marvelled at PTI's decision to hold a peace rally in Waziristan. It is premature to comment whether it would be successful or not, he added. Replying to a question, Adeel said that it was the responsibility of a democratic government to provide security to PTI rally in the area and they would be given full security but so far they have not received any request from PTI.
Fata parliamentarian Munir Khan Aurakzai termed PTI move a useless effort as it would not help end drone attacks. He said that people of the area are at the mercy of Taliban and if they support PTI rally, we should appreciate it. However, he said Fata MPs would not participate in PTI rally even if they are extended an invitation.
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