Pakistan motorcade protesting US drones sets off

On Saturday, a statement from a Taliban faction said to be based in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province warned that militants would welcome the protesters with suicide bombings.

"We ask the brave people of Waziristan not to side with the gang of Jews and Christians — otherwise their fate will be terrible," the Punjabi Taliban said in the statement.

Khan in his televised remarks attacked the militant accusations: "We have no political aims but want to protect tribal people from drone attacks. ... They are whispering that Jews and Christians are coming. They should feel shame for this act."

Earlier in the week, Khan said that South Waziristan tribal leaders had assured him that he and his entourage would be protected there.

Still, he did allude to the possibility that entering the tribal area might not be possible, saying that the marchers would go as far as they could, and stage a major rally wherever they decided to stop.