Thousands of Pakistanis Protest U.S. Presence in the Region

Violence has increased in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region due to the heavily added U.S. presence and drone attacks. U.S. drone attacks have killed thousands and Pakistan is frustrated.

On Sunday, thousands of Pakistanis protested the United States interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan and the constant U.S. drone attacks within Pakistan and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have killed thousands of innocent civilians. Many protestors believe that all the violence, terrorist activities and many other problems faction the nation of Pakistan is due to the U.S. meddling in the affairs of the Pakistani government. The U.S. is playing with fire and is taking away the territorial integrity of Pakistan’s sovereignty. In Karachi on Sunday, thousands of protestors chanted, “Go America Go” and waved signs of American dissent. Pakistan has not shown this much U.S. hatred since the 2008 United States Presidential Primaries when then Senator Barack Obama issued statements saying that he would invade Pakistan if there are high-valued terrorist targets if then President Musharraf does not act. “There are terrorists holed up in those mountains who murdered 3,000 Americans. They are plotting to strike again . . . If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will.” Spokeswoman for the Pakistan Foreign Ministry Tasnim Aslam responded, “These are serious matters and should not be used for point-scoring. Political candidates and commentators should show responsibility.” Those sentiments from Mr. Obama seem to appear to this day. Since President Obama’s inauguration in January, at least eighteen drone attacks have gone into Pakistan and killed hundreds of unknown civilians. Just three days into his presidency, Mr. Obama ordered a U.S. drone attack, which killed at least fifteen people. The latest drone attack was on June 23rd, which killed at least sixty people. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told Washington’s top security advisor James Jones that the U.S. must cease their drone attacks on Pakistan’s soil after June 23rd’s attacks. In a statement made from Mr. Gilani’s office, “…stopping the drone attacks in order to ensure success of Pakistan's strategy for isolating the militants from the tribes.” Others in the Pakistan government are concerned regarding the U.S.-led efforts in the region, foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said last Thursday, “the drone attacks were unacceptable and must be stopped.” Attacks in the region will not be stopped, Pres. Obama’s declaration that the efforts will be increased in Afghanistan by doubling the size of the military. Right now, 45,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan. Commanders are calling for an additional 30,000 troops. According to Reuters, more troops are expected to be on their way in mid-July.