Khan's rally against US drones

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan led a 'peace march' against US drone attacks to the border of Waziristan in a 15 mile long convoy of vehicles. He hailed the march a success, despite not reaching the intended destination due to safety concerns.

Latest ITV News reports

Khan's peace rally blocked by Pakistani military

Imran Khan said the anti-drone march was a huge success
Imran Khan said the anti-drone march was a huge success Credit: Reuters

Pakistani authorities stopped an anti-drone protest lead by Imran Khan from entering South Wazirista by placing shipping containers on the highway.

The 15-mile convoy of vehicles were delayed several times during the march and then told that it was unsafe for them to be the on the road after dark.

Despite this the protest was hailed as a "huge success" by the ex-cricketer turned politician. Addressing the crowd he said:

"We want to give a message to America that the more you carry out drone attacks, the more people will hate you"

Khan hails peace march 'a huge success'

Imrankhanpti?size=bigger

2/3 were then told by the army that serious danger ahead. Did not want to risk lives and turned back. Later spoke to charged crowd in Tank

From @ImranKhanPTI on Twitter:
Imrankhanpti?size=bigger

3/3 Peace march was a huge success. Warm welcome by people of the area. Huge participation plus global awareness created against drones

From @ImranKhanPTI on Twitter:

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US activists to attend anti-drone march

A delegation of American activists from women's peace group CodePink will take part in a march to Waziristan in the tribal area of Pakistan tomorrow, to protest against the use of unmanned drones in the region. Dianne Budd, a doctor from San Francisco said she was somewhat concerned for her safety:

Of course I’m concerned about our security, but I am even more concerned about the security of the people of Waziristan who face constant threats and terror from the drones flying above their heads twenty-four hours a day.

CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin said the march was intended to put pressure on the Obama administration to stop the secretive attacks. She said

We also feel this march will put significant pressure on the Obama administration to come clean about these drone attacks, to recognize how inhumane and counterproductive they are. We will continue to find ways to protest these barbaric assassinations until they finally end.

Khan: We are marching for peace

Imran Khan has started his march from Islamabad to Southern Waziristan, a dangerous tribal area of Pakistan currently the target of CIA drone attacks.

The march has been denounced by various Pakistani Taliban factions, but Khan insisted it would go ahead:

This is a peace march, an effort for peace in Pakistan on our part ... We are not going to fight anyone.

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