Condemning the US drone attacks in Pakistan, Imran Khan and British human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith said that the US was violating international law by killing innocent people through drone strikes.
Addressing a press conference, the British lawyer who is director of non-profit organization REPRIVE, showed a piece of fired drone missile, which he brought from a settled area of North Waziristan. “Earlier, we needed evidence, now evidence has come. The piece of missile strongly contradicts US claims,” he said. “We are interested solely in transparency, with an open and honest dialogue. The CIA cannot conduct what is patently an illegal war in Waziristan, while simultaneously covering up any evidence of the death of children and other innocent civilians who are being killed on a regular basis. If they really believe what they are doing is right, then they should not fear the truth. If they do fear the truth, then it is certain that what they are doing is wrong,” Smith added. A large number of drone attack victims were also present on the occasion.
Foundation for Fundamental Rights (FFR) Director Mirza Shahzad Akbar announced that REPRIVE and FFR will hold a Waziristan Grand Jirga on Friday (today) in Islamabad. The Jirga is being organised to demand inquiry into the killing of thousands of people in North Waziristan and the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, Shahzad said.
Tribal elders and drone strikes’ victims from North Waziristan and human rights activists will participate in the Jirga. After the Jirga, the participants of Jirga would hold a rally against the drone strikes. Imran Khan appealed to people to participate in the rally.
