U.S. freezes $700 million in aid to Pakistan; Pakistani officials consider taxing NATO oil tankers; U.S. suspends drone campaign in Pakistan; Washington Post chronicles political emergence of Zardari’s son; Meeting of key Pakistani ambassadors continues for second day; Khan postpones PTI press conference due to party clash; 50 students freed from abuse in Karachi madrassa; Militants kill six in Shalobar; IDPs protest ongoing military operation in Khyber agency; Three mutilated bodies found in Khuzdar; KP Chief Minister charges U.S. and NATO with harboring militants; Militants and security forces clash in Hangu district.

U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Pakistani Politics

  • The Washington Post profiled Bilawar Bhutto Zardari, son of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.  The younger Zardari has been thrust into the political spotlight following his father’s transient ischemic attack (TIA) and subsequent convalescence in Dubai. Pakistani analysts have suggested that Bilwar’s emergence on the political scene represents an attempt by Zardari to signal that, in his absence, the political future of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) can be entrusted to his son.[4]

  • Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar met with fifteen Pakistani ambassadors from “key world capitals” on the second day of the Envoys Conference to review Pakistan’s foreign policy in the wake of the November 26 NATO raid that resulted in the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers.  Khar said that Pakistan would “retaliate against all future [U.S. or NATO] attacks.” Khar also announced that foreign policy recommendations from the ambassadors delivered at the conclusion of the meeting would be delivered to Parliament. 

  • Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was forced to postpone a “scheduled press conference” on Monday following a “clash” between two PTI factions.  The groups reportedly threw “eggs, chairs, and other office equipment at each other.” No injuries were reported.[5]

Torture Madrassa

FATA

Balochistan

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa


[1] “U.S. Lawmakers Freeze $700 Million to Pakistan, Ties Strained,” New York Times, December 13, 2011. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/12/13/world/asia/news-us-pakistan-usa-aid.html
“US freeze on Pakistan aid unwise: Salim Saifullah,” Express Tribune, December 13, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/305969/us-freeze-on-pakistan-aid-unwise-salim-saifullah/
[2] “Pakistan considers taxing Nato Afghanistan trucks,” BBC, December 12, 2011. Available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16145380
[3] “US drone strikes 'on hold' in Pakistan: US official,” Geo, December 13, 2011. Available at http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=28519
Faisal Aziz, “U.S. leaving drone base won't have big impact on air war,” Reuters, December 12, 2011. Available at http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/12/us-pakistan-usa-base-idUSTRE7BB0DV20111212
“Pakistan crucial for US to win Afghan war: Leon Panetta,” Dawn, December 13, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/13/pakistan-crucial-for-us-to-win-afghan-war-leon-panetta.html
[4] Simon Denyer, “Pakistan’s ailing president plays his trump card: His son,” Washington Post, December 12, 2011. Available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistans-ailing-president-plays-his-trump-card-his-son/2011/12/12/gIQADDGbpO_story.html
[5] “Imran postpones press conference after groups clash,” Dawn, December 13, 2011. Available at
[6] “Pakistan: Karachi police free chained students,” BBC, December, 13, 2011. Available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16157177
“Karachi seminary: Cases registered against five people,” Express Tribune, December 13, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/305962/karachi-seminary-cases-registered-against-five-people/
[7] “Militants kill five villagers in Khyber: officials,” Dawn, December 13, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/13/militants-kill-five-villagers-in-khyber-officials.html
[8] “Protesting IDPs seek end to Bara operation,” Dawn, December 13, 2011. Available at
[9] “BNP activists killed: Three more people found dead in Balochistan,” Express Tribune, December 13, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/305815/bnp-activists-killed-three-more-people-found-dead-in-balochistan/
[10] “Hoti says Nato forces harbouring militants,” Dawn, December 13, 2011. Available at
[11] “Hangu district: Five dead in clash between security forces and militants,” Express Tribune, December 13, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/305819/hangu-district-five-dead-in-clash-between-security-forces-and-militants/
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