October 29, 2011

Islamabad : Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has condemned what he called the "criminal silence" of non-government organisations (NGOs) that claim to be champions of human rights, over the killings of civilians in US drone attacks in the country’s tribal areas.

The cricketer-turned-politician made these comments while addressing a protest rally in front of Parliament House in Islamabad.

Pak pres candidate Imarn Khan speaks out gainst drone attacks.

He said that civilian casualties due to drones were increasing with each passing day, and asked the government to quit if it could not take action in this regard.

Imran categorically rebutted the US opinion that no civilian casualties were taking place as a result of targeted strikes against high profile terrorists in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), the Dawn reports.

He demanded the implementation of the resolution adopted in recently held All Parties Conference (APC).

Human rights campaigner and Director of REPRIVE, a non- profit organisation, Clive Stafford Smith, also addressed the protest rally.

"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," Smith said.

"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 that what they are doing is wrong," he added. (ANI)

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