Hope Obama gives peace a chance: Imran Khan

Pakistani politician Imran Khan hoped the US President would "give peace a chance" and stop CIA-operated drone attacks now that he had been re-elected.

Gurgaon: Describing Barack Obama as a man whose "natural instincts are against war", Pakistani politician Imran Khan Wednesday hoped the US President would "give peace a chance" and stop CIA-operated drone attacks now that he had been re-elected.

"What Pakistan would be hoping for is a de-escalation of violence in Afghanistan and the drone attacks in Pakistan`s tribal areas," the cricketer-turned politician told reporters at the World Economic Forum conference being held here. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief said Obama`s "natural instincts are against war". "Now he (Obama) is no longer under pressure to be re-elected. We hope he will give peace a chance, which we so desperately need," he said. Khan said Obama`s first term in office had been "very tough on Pakistan -- an increase in drone attacks and a surge in Afghanistan and increased militancy in Pakistan as a result." Imran said he wanted Obama to call a ceasefire in Afghanistan, saying if Americans do not "get it right, it is conceivable that they will leave it in a bigger mess than they found it." Khan has campaigned for an end to US drone strikes against suspected Taliban and al Qaeda militants in Pakistan`s tribal areas, saying they result in civilian casualties. He argues the strikes are illegal and counterproductive. In October, Khan had led thousands of supporters -- and some US peace activists -- on a march to the edge of Pakistan`s restive tribal districts to protest against drone strikes. PTI