Pakistan Security Brief
Washington Post reports that Pakistan secretly cooperates with American drone program, former Prime Minister disputes report; Prime Minister meets with American President, discusses Kashmir, terrorism, economic ties, TTP talks; U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue to continue in 2014; Pakistan says India is responsible for Kashmir escalation; India shells 27 Pakistani border posts in Punjab; Pakistan trying to isolate TTP splinter groups before negotiations; IED kills one in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa; Three killed in Karachi violence; Two policemen killed in Karachi; Treason case against Musharraf moves ahead; Pakistan bans three militant groups at China’s urging; Russian President wants better ties with Pakistan.
U.S. Drone Program
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According a Wednesday report in The Washington Post, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Pakistani memos reveal that Pakistan has secretly endorsed the American drone program in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) over the years. The United States has also shared top-secret information on drone strikes with Pakistan, and that Pakistan occasionally chose the targets of the strikes. The article also contains reports of mutual distrust. Records show American officials accusing Pakistan of clandestine support for certain terrorist groups, while a communication between Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy in Washington D.C. laid out a strategy for actively undermining the CIA. Both the CIA and the Foreign Ministry spokesman declined to comment. Former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani denied on Thursday that he had tacitly approved strikes while in office.[1]
U.S.-Pakistan Relations
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On Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with American President Barack Obama in Washington D.C. After their meeting, the two leaders spoke to the press about their discussions, which included Afghanistan, Kashmir, security concerns, and economic ties. Sharif said that he brought up Pakistan’s opposition to drone strikes. Obama said that he believes Sharif “is taking a very wise path” in seeking to improve ties with India. Sharif reiterated his commitment to negotiate with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and urged the United States to support Pakistan on the issue.[2]
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In a joint statement released Wednesday, American President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced the resumption of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries. The next Strategic Dialogue will take place in Washington D.C. in March of next year, and will be hosted by American Secretary of State John Kerry.[3]
India-Pakistan Relations
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On Wednesday, a Pakistani military spokesman accused India of having escalating violence along the Working Boundary between Pakistani Punjab and Indian-Administered Kashmir. In the last week, there have been numerous incidents and accusations from both sides of unprovoked attacks. He also said that the approximately 50 attacks on Indian positions on Tuesday and Wednesday by Pakistan were a “response” to Indian attacks.[4]
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Over the last few days, Indian forces have allegedly ramped up shelling across the Working Boundary in Sialkot district, shelling and firing at 27 Pakistani border posts.[5]
Talks with the TTP
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According to a Thursday report in The News, Pakistan is trying to isolate TTP splinter groups before negotiating with the main organization. According to the report, Some in Pakistan are concerned that, even if a deal with the TTP is reached, some of the splinter groups may continue to carry out terrorist attacks. On Sunday, The News reportedly received a call from TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid in which he said that the government has not initiated talks, and that he is unaware of any attempt to communicate with the TTP through backchannels.[6]
Militancy
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An improvised explosive device (IED) killed a man in Doaba, Hangu district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday.[7]
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Three people were killed in a gunfight in the Lyari area of Karachi on Thursday. The clash was allegedly between two Lyari gangs. One of the dead was identified as the Resident Medical Officer of Lyari General Hospital, a claim which has been denied by the hospital and police.[8]
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Two policemen were killed by unidentified gunmen in the SITE area of Karachi on Wednesday. One of the gunmen was killed by police during the attack.[9]
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On Thursday, Rangers and Karachi police arrested over 50 people throughout Karachi as part of the ongoing targeted operations in the city.[10]
Domestic
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After his meeting with American President Obama on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called a meeting for October 26, to brief his cabinet on his trip to the United States and his discussions with Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and others.[11]
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On Thursday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) approved opening corruption references against former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in several cases involving the misuse of authority in granting contracts in exchange for financial benefits when he was Minister for Water and Power.[12]
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On Wednesday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Javed Hashmi claimed that the real purpose of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s trip to Washington D.C. is to show the U.S. his loyalty and to agree to stop the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline for a price. He also said that the next government in Afghanistan will be Taliban-led, and that it will be the most stable government in Kabul in two decades.[13]
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According to a Thursday report in The News, a Federal Investigation Committee will finish its investigation into a possible treason charge against former President Prevez Musharraf for his actions during the 2007 State of Emergency by the end of November after fast tracking the probe. At that point, the government will make a decision on whether to charge Musharraf.[14]
Pakistan-China Relations
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On Wednesday, at the request of China, Pakistan banned three groups– the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), and the Islamic Jihad Union (IJU)– reportedly involved in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang. The groups are active in North Waziristan.[15]
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According to a Thursday report in The Frontier Post, Chinese officials offered to export 3,200 megawatts of electricity to Pakistan during a meeting in Urumqi, China with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.[16]
Pakistan-Russia Relations
