Khan’s party protests over KP drone strikes, vows to escalate if attacks continue

On the call of its founding chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched a protest from the provincial capital against what it claims are a series of alleged drone strikes carried out over the past few months in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

During the demonstration, party leaders and participants strongly condemned not only the reported drone attacks but also the recent surge in terror-related incidents across the province. Protesters urged state institutions to ensure that no further drone operations are carried out in the region, calling such actions a violation of provincial sovereignty.

‘Drones are unacceptable’

Addressing the protest in Peshawar, former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser reiterated the party’s longstanding opposition to drone strikes. He recalled how Imran Khan had previously led a sit-in against US drone operations and had blocked NATO supply lines.

“Drone strikes can never be justified, especially when innocent children are killed,” Qaiser said. “We will oppose such attacks and take every possible step to prevent them. We cannot allow drone strikes to happen in KP again.”

PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar also expressed deep concern over the alleged drone strikes in districts such as Bannu and Waziristan, claiming that innocent civilians were being targeted and killed.

“Has anyone thought about the anguish of a mother who’s lost her children in these attacks?” she asked. “The cycle of oppression against the people of KP, particularly the Pashtuns, continues unchecked. But now, everyone will have to rise up and take a stand—there is no other way forward.”

Demanding justice—but from whom?

While PTI has ruled KP for the past 11 years and has repeatedly vowed not to permit any military operations or drone strikes in the province, questions are now being raised about the effectiveness of these commitments.

The PTI-led government had also pledged to investigate an alleged drone strike in Mardan on March 29, which reportedly claimed the lives of nine civilians.

When asked by Nukta why PTI was protesting in Peshawar despite being the ruling party in the province, KP minister Meena Khan Afridi said drone strikes fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, not the provincial administration.

“These attacks are not within the province’s control. It is the federal government’s responsibility to stop them,” he said.

PTI workers stage a protest in Peshawar on Monday, May 26, 2025.Nukta

Afridi reaffirmed PTI’s stance, stating that the party does not support any form of drone operation—whether domestic or foreign. “The chief minister has raised the issue with the federal government and relevant institutions. If the strikes continue, we will raise our voice at every possible platform,” he added.

Abdul Karim Tordher, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister, told Nukta that those responsible for the strikes were trying to turn KP into “another Gaza.”

He said PTI had now launched a full-scale movement against these attacks and warned that if they continued, the party would escalate its protest to Islamabad and stage a sit-in there.

March to Islamabad postponed

On May 19, four children were reportedly killed in an alleged drone strike in North Waziristan, triggering a strong reaction from locals. The victims’ families refused to bury the bodies and launched a sit-in protest.

The demonstrators demanded a thorough investigation and punishment for those responsible. Amid rising tensions, they also announced plans to march towards Islamabad if their demands were not met.

However, following negotiations with the district administration and security officials, the protesters agreed to postpone the long march and proceeded with the burials.

The Deputy Commissioner’s Office confirmed the development to Nukta, stating: “The demands of the protesters have been accepted, and further dialogue will continue to ensure lasting peace in the region.”

The May 19 incident marks the fifth alleged drone strike in KP in the past two months, raising concerns about their growing frequency. Previous incidents were reported in Tank on May 15, Bannu on May 13, North Waziristan on May 8, and Mardan on March 29.