U.S. drone strike targets Haqqani Network militants; Summit in Istanbul results in Istanbul Protocol; Senators comment on future of U.S.-Pakistan relations; Some Pakistanis hesitant to acknowledge India’s MFN status; Tribal elder targeted in Khyber agency; LI kidnaps tribal elder and family in Khyber; Militants bomb Frontier Corps convoy, killing 2; Balochistan government given control of FC; Police discover 7 bodies throughout Balochistan; Foreign prisoners stuck in Pakistani jails; Police diffuse explosive in KP; Rangers arrest 26 in Karachi; Defense Ministry discovers corruption in armed forces.

Drone Strike

  • A U.S. drone strike outside of Miram Shah, North Waziristan on Thursday killed three Haqqani Network militants, according to Pakistani security officials.  The drone targeted a militant compound and killed Janbaz Zadran, a man that U.S. officials said “played a central role in helping the Haqqani Network attack U.S. and coalition targets in Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan.”[1]

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations

U.S.-Pakistan Relations

  • Upon returning from a trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Senators Mark Udall (D) and Jack Reed (D) commented on the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations, suggesting a need for the strengthening of relations between the two countries. Udall noted that Pakistan had historically played “both the role of fireman and arsonist in Afghanistan,” while Reed articulated that Pakistan’s actions in the coming weeks would illustrate whether Pakistan could “be a reliable [U.S.] ally against extremists.”[3] 

Pakistan-India Relations

FATA

Balochistan

Punjab

  • On Wednesday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice issued a directive to the Foreign Ministry requesting the repatriation of foreign prisoners incarcerated in Pakistani prisons despite the completion of their prison sentences.  According to a report by the Punjab Home Department, there are currently 74 foreign nationals in Punjabi prisons, including two Indian prisoners who have completed their terms but remain imprisoned. A Foreign Ministry spokesman claimed that the Indian prisoners could not be released until the ministry received proof of their identification.[10]

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Karachi Violence

Corruption

  • A Defense Ministry report has revealed corruption within Pakistan’s armed forces, exposing 88 Pakistan Army officials and employees for involvement in embezzlement, fraud, illegal smuggling, and a variety of other corruption-related offences.[13]


[1] “US drones kill three Haqqani militants in North Waziristan,” Dawn, November 3, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/03/us-drones-kill-three-haqqani-militants-in-north-waziristan.html
[2] Sebnam Arsu, “Afghanistan Consults Neighbors on Security,” New York Times, November 3, 2011. Available at
Graeme Smith, “Hands off Afghanistan, nations agree in security pact,” The Globe and Mail, November 3, 2011. Available at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/hands-off-afghanistan-neighbours-agree-in-security-pact/article2223134/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2223134
“Islamabad, Kabul to put biometrics at border this month,” Express Tribune, November 3, 2011. Available at
[3] Next weeks key to US-Pakistan ties: Senators,” Dawn, November 3, 2011.  Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/03/next-weeks-key-to-us-pakistan-ties-senators.html
[4] Mubarak Zeb Khan, “Confusion over MFN status for India,” Dawn, November 3, 2011. Available at
“Pakistan grants India ‘most favored nation’ trade status,” Washington Post, November 3, 2011. Available at
[5] “12 injured as bomb targets tribal elder in Jamrud,” Dawn, November 3, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/03/12-injured-as-bomb-targets-tribal-elder-in-jamrud.html
“Explosion in Peshawar marketplace, 11 injured,” Express Tribune, November 2, 2011. Available at
[6] “LI militants kidnap 5 relatives of tribal elder,” The News, November 3, 2011. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=75868&Cat=7
[7] Shehzad Baloch “Two FC personnel killed in Turbat blast,” Express Tribune, November 2, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/286568/two-fc-personnel-killed-in-turbat-blast/
[8] “FC placed under Balochistan govt’s control,” Dawn, November 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/03/fc-placed-under-balochistan-govts-control.html
“Paramilitary protection for tycoon,” Dawn, November 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/02/paramilitary-protection-for-tycoon.html
[9] “Police recovers 7 bodies from Balochistan,” Express Tribune, November 3, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/287002/police-recovers-7-bodies-from-balochistan/
[10] “Foreigners in Punjab jails: Foreign ministry told to expedite repatriation,” Dawn,  November 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/03/foreigners-in-punjab-jails-foreign-ministry-told-to-expedite-repatriation.html
[11] “12 injured as bomb targets tribal elder in Jamrud,” Dawn, November 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/11/03/12-injured-as-bomb-targets-tribal-elder-in-jamrud.html
[12] “Rangers apprehend 26 accused, recover arms,” Geo, November 3, 2011. Available at http://geo.tv/11-3-2011/88446.htm
[13] “Dodgy dealings: Corruption taints 88 armed forces officials,” Express Tribune, November 3, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/286939/dodgy-dealings-corruption-taints-88-armed-forces-officials/
 
View Citations