President Zardari receives medical treatment in Dubai; Pakistan continues to block NATO supply routes; Obama administration defends aid to Pakistan; Pakistan-based militant group claims responsibility for Tuesday Kabul attack; Malik thanks Taliban and security forces for role in Ashura peace; Pakistan’s “militant violence” in decline; Washington Post reports on security situation in Kashmir; Peace militias clash with militants in Khyber agency, killing three.

U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Ashura Attacks

Militant Activity

  • The Associated Press reports that Pakistan’s “militant violence” has declined over the past year, pointing to “a combination of military operations against the Pakistani Taliban…U.S. drone attacks…and better law enforcement in Pakistan’s main cities,” as well as a rumored peace agreement between the Pakistani military and Pakistani Taliban, as possible explanations for the decline. Nonetheless, AP reports that Pakistanis remain fearful of “terrorist” and “insurgent” attacks, which have claimed the lives of over 1,700 Pakistanis already this year.[6]

Kashmir Violence

FATA


[1] Augustine Anthony and Qasim Nauman, “Pakistan president in Dubai for heart treatment,” Reuters, December 7, 2011. Available at http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/07/us-pakistan-president-idUSTRE7B60DG20111207
Rob Crilly, “Asif Ali Zardari has heart attack but aides insist he will not resign,” Telegraph, December 7, 2011. Available at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8939875/Asif-Ali-Zardari-has-heart-attack-but-aides-insist-he-will-not-resign.html
[2] “Nato blockade enters 12th day, US reroutes supplies,” Geo, December 7, 2011. Available at http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=28065
Pauline Jelinek, “AP source: US rerouting some Afghan war supplies,” AP, December 7, 2011. Available at
“Pentagon wants restoration of Pak posts on Afghan border,” Geo, December 7, 2011. Available at
[3] “U.S. State Department Defends Aid To Pakistan,” Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, December 7, 2011. Available at http://www.rferl.org/content/us_state_department_defends_aid_to_pakistan/24414222.html
[4] Jon Boone and Saeed Shah, “At least 55 dead in Kabul suicide attack on Shia pilgrims,” Guardian, December 6, 2011. Available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/06/55-dead-kabul-suicide-shia
Ernesto Londoño, “Pakistan-based group claims role in deadly blast in Kabul,” Washington Post, December 6, 2011. Available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/rare-attack-in-kabul-targets-shiite-mosque/2011/12/06/gIQAVnEkYO_story.html?tid=pm_pop
“Karzai blames Lashkar-e-Jhangvi for Kabul blast,” AFP, December 7, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/303076/kabul-shrine-bomber-was-pakistani-affiliated-with-lej-afghan-official/
“Roundup: Afghan suicide attacks raise sectarian fears,” CNN, December 6, 2011. Available at http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/06/roundup-afghan-suicide-attacks-raise-sectarian-fears/
[5] “Rehman Malik thanks Taliban for maintaining Muharram peace,” Express Tribune, December 6, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/302997/rehman-malik-thanks-taliban-for-maintaining-muharram-peace/
“Rehman Malik meets Cameron Munter,” Dawn, December 7, 2011. Available at
[6] “Pakistan: Militant Violence Down, but Fear Remains,” Associated Press, December 7, 2011. Available at
[7] Simon Denyer, “Violence wanes in Kashmir, but India maintains tight military grip,” Washington Post, December 6, 2011. Available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/violence-wanes-in-kashmir-but-india-maintains-tight-military-grip/2011/11/29/gIQAlqS0YO_story.html
[8] “Three militants killed in Khyber Agency,” Geo, December 7, 2011. Available at
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