Bajaur killings condemned

Published November 1, 2006

ISLAMABAD, Oct 31: A protest demonstration organised by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal here on Tuesday condemned the Pakistan Army for killing its own people just to please the US.

The army on Monday rained missiles on a madressah in Bajaur Agency killing 82 students and clerics. The attack, the protesters said, was carried out on dictation from America.

“Is Pakistan army guarding its own people or working for the interests of America,” read a banner the protesters had displayed. The demonstrators accused the government of promoting US interests in Pakistan. They questioned the sovereignty of the state, adding that American agenda was being implemented in the country.

Calling Gen Musharraf an American slave, they said the dictator was pushing the country towards a disaster.

“Government of American slaves and Jewish agents is unacceptable,” said another placard.

The demonstration was staged in front of the Rawalpindi Press Club’s camp office to attract maximum media coverage.

In the end, the protesters trampled on and burnt the American flag.

Our reporter from Rawalpindi adds: The People’s Rights Movement has condemned the Bajaur incident and said the attack had proved that the state was totally divorced from the needs and aspirations of the people.

In a statement, Aasim Sajjad of the PRM said it was a reflection of the hopelessly compromised political process that such an act of cold-blooded murder drew only a faint response from mainstream political parties, which would give the army a licence to continue its mercenary policy in the tribal areas.

He said both the army and the US were responsible for this crime against humanity.

He said the so-called war on terror continued to be used to justify unspeakable atrocities against innocent civilian populations around the world.

PTI: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday condemned the bombing of a seminary in Bajaur Agency, North Waziristan, and declared the incident another attempt to subvert country’s sovereignty.

The PTI chief, in a statement, said the most unfortunate part of this horrible incident was that on one hand the military was engaged in reaching a peace deal with tribesmen to save their skins, while on the other they were following their masters by attacking the civilians who had strong reservations about these peace agreements.

Mr Khan said that nobody had the right to be a judge, a jury and an executioner, adding that more than 80 innocent lives had been lost in this criminal act of state terrorism.

Refuting all claims made by the Pakistan Army spokesman that there existed a training camp of terrorists, he stressed that nothing was found but mutilated bodies of the innocent people and the desecrated copies of the Holy Quran.

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...