November 23, 2008	Sunday	Ziqa'ad 24, 1429

PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) on Saturday organised a protest demonstration against the incessant US missile attacks in Fata and settled areas of the NWFP, holding the government responsible for it.

The protest was held in front of the Peshawar Press Club, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the US imperialism and what they termed its Pakistani lackeys for ‘the massive killing of innocent tribesmen’ by the pilotless drones.

Carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the operation in Mohmand Agency, killing of tribesmen in Bajaur and Swat and missile attacks in Bannu, the protesters converged in front of the press club coming from different parts of the city.

PPP-S provincial chief Sikandar Khan Sherpao, who was leading the rally, accused the PPP, Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl of showing no response to the uncalled-for killing of Pukhtuns in settled districts and the Fata. He said tribesmen, who had nothing to do with the shenanigans of the rulers, were being butchered in the Pakhtun borderlands. He said the missile strikes were an assault on the sovereignty of the country.

Mr Sherpao said US Gen David McKiernan had disclosed that all the missile attacks on Pakistan territory had been carried out with the collaboration of Pakistani authorities, for which the US could provide solid proofs.

He said the federal government was pursuing the policies of the previous government on war on terror.

The PPP-S leader also criticised the JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who bagged a seat from Bannu, for keeping a mum over the missile strikes in his constituency.

Mr Sherpao also hit out hard at the ANP leadership and said those who claimed themselves to be the champion of the Pukhtuns were silent over their death and destruction.

He held the provincial government responsible for the violence and lawlessness in Swat and Shabqadar Charsadda. He said the NWFP government had failed to provide safety and protection to the general public. He claimed that the PPP-S was the only political force, which had been fighting for the rights of Pakhtuns since its inception.

PPP-S provincial general secretary Bakht Bedar, Auranzeb Mohammad and others were also present on the occasion. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.