In the face of heavy odds
Disregarding warnings from the KP establishment and the possibility of attacks by the militants, Imran Khan has launched his march to Katkai, the first village in South Waziristan bordering the settled district of Tank. The PPP, ANP and JUI-F, which have been ruling KP in alternating combinations, are unhappy to see a new claimant to power entering their turf with a bang. The militant outfits are jealous of any mainstream party showing the tribesmen a non-violent way of getting their demands accepted. Playing its cards close to its chest, the TTP has maintained that it does not need the sympathies of a party headed by a liberal and secular Imran Khan. This indicates the militants do not rule out an attack. Despite the risks involved, Imran Khan believes that the people of South Waziristan would provide security to the peace rally.
The KP establishment has relied on bureaucratic arguments against the march besides showing concern for the burden it would impose on law enforcement agencies. The administration has announced that it would not allow foreigners in the march to enter the tribal areas because they do not possess the mandatory permits. There are about 100 foreigners in the march, including about 40 from the US. They comprise peace activists and reporters. Interestingly the same administration has failed to stop the continuous traffic of foreign militants to and from Waziristan.
Imran Khan’s peace march would help highlight the issue of drone attacks. The group of American peace activists has already presented to the acting US ambassador a petition with more than 3,000 signatures and a letter from a number of prominent Americans demanding an end to the drone strikes. The march would have a positive impact on the people of Waziristan also. For the first time they will find that the rest of the country cares for them. It would thus help bring them into the mainstream.
The march was hailed enthusiastically by people all along the route as it moved towards Dera Ismail Khan. It grew larger as more people joined it from the towns on its way and those coming from the cities of KP. It goes to Imran’s credit that while the leaders of other parties failed to go beyond statements of sympathy, Imran found an innovative way to bring the issue of drone attacks to the notice of the world. International media cannot ignore the event, as it does the statements of politicians, on account of so many foreigners being part of the march. While one agrees that providing security to thousands of marchers can pose difficulties for the law enforcement agencies, the march would strengthen those in the West who oppose the drone attacks.