PESHAWAR, Feb 25: The elders of South Waziristan Agency have threatened to launch an organised protest movement if drone attacks are not stopped forthwith.

A caravan of 40 vehicles, led by Khan Marjan, Noor Behram Khan and Iqbal Afridi, reached Peshawar from Waziristan on Saturday to proceed to Islamabad for holding protest demonstrations outside parliament against drone attacks.

The tribesmen also held a protest demonstration outside Peshawar Press Club against the killing of tribal people in drone attacks and asked the government to take effective steps for their protection.

Carrying placards and banners, the protesters demanded restoration of sustainable peace in Fata and end to the unprecedented CIA-sponsored drone drive in the tribal region. They also chanted slogans against the US for its growing interference in Pakistan.

The tribesmen said that they had taken unified steps for their protection as government was not ready to raise the issue at international forum. “We have held several protest demonstrations, rallies and set up hunger strike camps but the government took no notice,” they said.

The protesters condemned the US drone campaign in Waziristan and other tribal agencies. They said that peace efforts would jeopardise in the lawless tribal areas owing to policy, based on appeasement of the US.—Bureau Report