Khan Leads Drone Protest in Pakistan

Posted October 6th, 2012 at 2:45 am (UTC-5)
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Pakistani cricket star turned politician Imran Khan has launched a so-called motorcade march against U.S. drone strikes.

Khan and his Movement for Justice Party, along with Western and local activists, began the drive Saturday in Islamabad. The convoy is headed to the South Waziristan tribal district along the Afghan border, the target of frequent U.S. drone attacks.

Khan has dismissed concerns that the convoy could be attacked by the Taliban and other Islamist militants.

A Pakistan Taliban spokesman said Friday it will not provide security for the motorcade and labeled Khan a Westernized and secular man.

Drone strikes are a contentious issue between the U.S. and Pakistan. Islamabad says the strikes violate its sovereignty. The U.S. believes they are a key tool in the effort to defeat al-Qaida.