Pakistan Security Brief - August 14, 2009

Pakistan Security Brief - August 14, 2009

Pakistani President Ali Zardari announced legal reforms that will allow for political party activity in the FATA in hopes of loosening the monopoly held by local clerics and Islamist groups in the region; militants in Upper Dir agreed to surrender to Pakistani forces following a local jirga; Pakistani security forces claim to have cleared a section of Lower Dir of Taliban militants and encourage displaced families to return to the area.

• In a statement issued Friday, Pakistani Prime Minister Ali Zardari announced a slate of reforms designed to bring about the partial integration of the Federally Administered Tribal Regions (FATA) with the rest of Pakistan. The new laws will allow national political parties to move into the area, and are hoped to help break the grip on power of local clerics and Islamist groups.[1]
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• Militants in various parts of Upper Dir agreed on Friday to surrender to government forces following the conclusion of a local tribal jirga meeting. Under the conditions of the deal, the properties and families of the former militants will not be harmed.[2]
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• Military authorities claimed Friday to have completely cleared Maidan tehsil, Lower Dir, of Taliban, reporting that they have thus far killed five hundred and seventy militants. "They can no more offer resistance to the army," announced one high-ranking official, who also assured reporters that it is safe for displaced families to return to the area.[3]�