Protests triggered over the US drone attack on the tribal jirga and killing of peaceful tribesmen continued on Saturday as more political parties and students organisations took out rallies and staged demonstrations. The protesters called for severing ties with the United States and its allies following the targeting of innocent civilians in Datta Khel, North Waziristan Agency.
They termed the attack against the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The demonstrators expressed anger over the silent role of government and failure to protect its people and their property. Amid anti-US and government slogans, the protesters demanded immediate halt to the ongoing military action in tribal areas of the country. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-US and Raymond Davis slogans.
The demo of the PML-Q was led by women legislator of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Nighat Yasmin Orakzai and Intikhab Khan Chamkani registered protest on main Sher Shah Suri Road in front of Cantonment Railway Station to condemn the US drone attack. Speaking on the occasion, activists of PML-Q condemned the swift release of Raymond Davis, US-operative of secrete agency and termed that the move was made to appease the US and her allies.
PML-Q MPA, Nighat Orakzai rejected the reports that the heirs of two Pakistanis killed by US citizen had taken blood money, saying that it was a drama as the government had released him under pressure. She said that the release of the US national had seriously hurt sentiments of the Pakistanis. The nation, she said could easily collect money to support the affected families and added that the way the killer of Pakistanis was released was against the wishes of the nation.
She expressed grave concern over the drone attacks and termed it a live proof of the failure of the government's foreign policy. She said that the tribesmen were patriotic people who had always safeguarded the country's frontiers voluntarily but they were continuously targeted for no fault of theirs.
She warned the government to ensure protection to the people, stop drone attacks otherwise the people have the right to come to the streets across the country against the rulers and asked the people to avoid silence over the government's weaknesses any longer.
Waziristan Students' Federation and tribal elders also staged a protest demonstration against the callous episode in North Waziristan and denounced killing of innocent people. The protesters were spearheaded by different tribal elders and heads of different student federations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.