Some right-wing media mongers in Pakistan are trying to convince the general public that despite “safety concerns” Imran Khan is proceeding with the long march into Waziristan to protest against the US drone attacks. “Safety concerns” from whom? From the Pakistan army, US drones or the Taliban? It's obvious that neither the Pakistan army nor the US drones are going to attack the march so the only party that may prove hostile is the Taliban. Therefore, Imran Khan shall be protesting against those who have established their perceived rule in the tribal areas which are running factories churning out zombies to attack mosques, markets, schools and shrines in Pakistan. Imran Khan' protest is nothing but a political gimmick. It seeks to encash on the strategy which religious parties and right-wing media mongers have worked out to fool the public that the Taliban are waging a holy war against infidels and therefore their excesses could be ignored. It is wrong to argue that the Taliban are a product of drones attack. It's other way round. If the Taliban cease their activities in Pakistan and Afghanistan, kick out all foreign militants from Pakistani soil, the drone attacks will stop as they will no longer be required. If 2,000 people have been killed in drone attacks, including several hundred top militants, in last 10 years, as reported, then what about the 40,000 civilians and military personnel bombed by Taliban? Is there is any comparison between the two attacks? Who will protest for the safety of the civilians and military personnel? If Imran Khan is interested in doing long marches, he should do it for some noble causes like reviving the polio-eradication campaign in tribal areas, in Pashtun localities of Karachi and Pashtun majority districts of Baluchistan. In closing I would like to know the media mongers' views on how the terrorists could be eliminated without using drone technology. If someone has an alternative solution, he/she must share. The whole world is eagerly awaiting for an alternative to get out of this mess.
