Peshawar: Thousands of people protesting against US drone strikes blocked a road in northwest Pakistan on Saturday used to truck NATO troop supplies and equipment in and out of Afghanistan, the latest sign of rising tension caused by the attacks.
The protest, led by Pakistani politician and former cricket star Imran Khan, had more symbolic value than practical impact as there is normally little NATO supply traffic on the road on Saturdays.
The blocked route in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province leads to one of two border crossings used to send supplies overland from Pakistan to neighbouring Afghanistan.
Khan, whose Tehreek-e-Insaf party runs the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, called on federal officials to take a firmer stance to force the US to end drone attacks and block NATO supplies across the country.
"We will put pressure on America, if drone attacks are not stopped our protest will continue all over Pakistan," Khan told protesters.
Around 10,000 people participated in Saturday's protest.
The protesters included members of Khan's party and two other parties that are coalition partners in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
They shouted anti-US slogans, such as "Down with America" and "Stop drone attacks."
The demonstrators dispersed after Khan's speech, but his party put out a statement saying they will begin stopping trucks from carrying NATO supplies through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa indefinitely beginning on Sunday night.
