SHAWAL - Taliban have threatened to kill cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan if he holds a planned march to their tribal stronghold in Fata to protest US drone attacks, reported Telegraph, quoting an American news agency.

Although the Pakistani Taliban also oppose the strikes, which have killed many of their fighters, Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said they would target Khan because he calls himself a ‘liberal’ – a term they associate with a lack of religious belief.
He also warned they would attack anyone who participates in forthcoming elections.  “If he comes, our suicide bombers will target him,” Ahsan told the American news agency in an interview in South Waziristan. “We will kill him.”
The threat could come as a surprise to many in Pakistan who have criticised Khan for not being tough enough on the Taliban and instead focusing most of his criticism on the government’s alliance with the US.
Ahsan, the Taliban spokesman, said the militants did not want Khan’s help in opposing drone attacks. Khan has said he is planning to lead thousands of people in a march to Waziristan in September to demonstrate against the strikes.
“We will not accept help or sympathy from any infidel,” said Ahsan. “We can fight on our own with the help of God,” he said, as drones buzzed overhead.
Ahsan said the Taliban consider anyone who participates in elections, even religious parties, as infidels and will target them.
The spokesman for Khan’s party could not be immediately reached for comment.