ISLAMABAD, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces Sunday stopped thousands of anti-U.S. drone strikes marchers from entering the restive South Waziristan tribal region over security concerns.
The marchers planned a big demonstration in Kotki area of South Waziristan against the American strikes but army officials after consultations with the organizers convinced them to drop the plan in view of security situation in the area.
The marchers returned to Tank, a main city near South Waziristan, where cricketer-turned politician, Imarn Khan, who led the marchers, will deliver address at the conclusion of the two- day Peace March.
"We have achieved in our objectives to convey our message to the world that U.S. drones kill innocent people," he told the marchers on the way to Waziristan.
Khan, Chief of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf or Justice Movement, said he had announced not to clash with the authorities if they stopped the march.
The march started from the capital Islamabad on Saturday and after a night stay in Dera Ismail Khan, they started their journey towards South Waziristan Sunday morning.
But when the marchers reached at the entry point of the tribal region, the security forces stopped the marchers at a check post, which followed negotiations between the organizers and army officials.
The army officials told the organizers that the march would not be allowed in view of threats to the participants.
A Pakistani Taliban group Saturday threatened bomb attacks on the participants of the march saying that 'Jews and Christians' from the U.S. are participating in the march.
The Interior Ministry had warned that Taliban could attack foreigners and the PTI leadership in the march, advising the party to give up the plan.
A group of American campaigners against the drone strikes is also participating in the march. Dozens of foreign journalists are covering the event, the first ever march to Waziristan tribal area against the drone strikes.
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