The leaders of the combined opposition was on way to Damadola to offer Fateha on the death of the innocent people and expressed solidarity with the people of Bajaur Agency.
The convoy of the vehicles of the combined opposition in the National Assembly was comprised of MMA central president, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, leader of opposition, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chairman PPP-Parliamentarian Makhdoom Amin Fahim, chairman, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, parliamentary leader of PML-N, Chaudry Nisar Ali Khan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Khawaja Saad Rafiq. On route to tribal belt, the convoy of the opposition leaders was accorded warm welcome from the people. The leaders also addressed the people gathered on both sides of the road for them.
The opposition leaders were barred to enter the tribal belt at Yakaghunda Check Post entry point to Mohmand Agency. Khaar, the headquarters of the Bajaur Agency is 96-kilometer away from the venue.
The entry gate to the tribal belt was blocked through parking trucks and other heavy vehicles while a heavy contingent of the traditional Khasadar Force was deployed. The officials of the political administration along with the pro-government tribal elders and members of the agency council were standing in the middle of the road to block the entry of the convoy.
When this scribe asked one of the political officials, he on condition of anonymity said that the federal government has directed them that the political leaders should not be allowed to enter into the tribal territory.
Similar was the answer of Malik Dilawar, a former senator, who was also standing behind a bambino, said that as Political Act has not extended to the Fata, therefore, he justified the disallowing of the top political leaders of the country to the tribal belt.
On the refusal of entry to tribal area, the procession comprised of the activists of different political parties converted into a public meeting which was addressed by opposition leader in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Chaudry Nisar Ali Khan, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Pir Abdurahim Naqashbani.
Addressing on the occasion, Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed the disallowing of entry into tribal area a discriminatory treatment with the political leadership of the country. He said that the disallowing to offer Fateha on the death of the people is against both Islam and Pukhtoon culture.
He announced that the struggle of the combined opposition parties would remain continue till making the country rid of the US hegemony. He alleged that due to the presence of military a number of villages have been destroyed. "Tribesmen are migrating from their native areas and a large number of them have even started arriving in Peshawar," he castigated.
Criticising the military government, he said that they have never exhibited bravery saying that on one hand they are using force against the innocent people of then Bengal and now Waziristan, however, it become silent spectator to US aggression on Pakistani territory.
He said that government has failed in the security of the country therefore, he demanded of the President Musharraf to stand down and tender resignation and the United States to tender apology to the people of Pakistan and also pay compensation to the relatives of the victims of the attack.
The opposition leader called to severe diplomatic relations with United States and urged the government to recall Pakistani ambassador immediately from that country and called upon the government to raise the matter in the United Nations' Security Council.
He also criticised the deployment of military in tribal belt and termed it the violation of the Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR). He said that the deployment of military in the tribal area has abolished the FCR. He said that the whole nation as well as Pukhtoons was united and would stand by their tribal brethren at this critical juncture.
Chairman PPP-Parliamentarian and Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that country was passing through difficult time as a foreign power had attacked us and we will not tolerate the bad eyes of any one on our country. No doubt, he said the aggressor should be either United States or any other super power, we will not tolerate it.
He said that government should have at least lodged a strong protest with United States and if they are not in position then they have no justification to remain stick to the government and should tender resignation. He said that the people should not be worried, but have to join hands and waged a united struggle to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in future.