Abbottabad Commission to re-examine Bin Laden  raid; report finds  increasing  “Talibanization”  of Balochistan; clause protecting Pakistan sovereignty included in U.S.-Pak trade deal; Zardari and Ahmadinejad discuss strengthening ties; “liberal” India-Pak visa policy to be signed this year; Pakistan seeks to increase trade with Australia; PM Ashraf and CJCSC discuss security and preparedness of military.

Osama Bin Laden Raid

Balochistan

  • Balochistan province has seen growing  “Talibanization” in many  areas, and Quetta seems to be becoming a militant safe haven , according to a report issued by a recent fact-finding mission of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday. The mission found that this  Talibanization is being bred locally by new madrasas and training camps in addition to  being imported to the area, . The Frontier Corps, intelligence agencies, and local authorities are all thought to either be totally ignoring the problem or  collaborating with these militants.[2]

International Relations

  • The Pakistan Army’s Strategic Planning Division (SPD) is concerned that the new U.S.-Pakistan bilateral investment treaty (BIT) will pose a threat to the security of Pakistan’s nuclear and defense sectors, though the Chairman of the Board of Investment Saleem Mandviwalla has said that the agreement won’t pose any problems. Due to the SPD’s concerns, treaty negotiators have included a clause allowing Pakistan to veto investment through “non-conforming measures,” though these  have yet to be finalized . Additionally, Mandviwalla has insisted that foreign nationals hired for  top managerial positions obtain clearances from Pakistani security agencies.[3]

  • On the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Tehran, President Asif Ali Zardari met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to discuss further strengthening the commercial relationship between the two countries,  which are already involved in several joint mega projects. The two leaders discussed  expanding trade,  the progress  of  joint projects, including the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and several roadwork initiatives; greater cooperation in addressing cross-border crime and drug trafficking; opening new border posts at Mand-Pishin and Gabd-Rimdan;  increasing air traffic across the border; and the need for a sustainable peace in Afghanistan.[4]

  • India and Pakistan are likely to sign a “liberal visa policy” this year following a four-day bilateral conference held earlier this month. Former High Commissioner of Pakistan in India Shahid Malik confirmed that the two countries have already drafted the policy and will sign it in the coming months. He stated that the policy will be very helpful in bolstering trade and peaceful relations between the two countries, adding that once the “hurdles” between Indian and Pakistani businesses have been removed, their commercial relationship will  flourish and permit a “new era” of cordial relations.[5]

  • At a meeting today with an Australian delegation, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf  expressed enthusiasm about  the further development of commercial and trade relations with Australia.  Ashraf encouraged the Australian delegation to consider investment opportunities in Pakistan’s coal and power industries.[6]

Domestic Politics

  • Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), met at the Prime Minister’s House  Thursday to  discuss the country’s security situation  and the status of the armed forces. The Prime Minister reportedly “expressed confidence in the leadership of the armed forces and said that the people of Pakistan were proud of their defense forces.”[7]  

 


[1] “Abbottabad raid: Uncertainty hits report’s release amid fresh claims,” Express Tribune, August 31, 2012. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/428941/abbottabad-raid-uncertainty-hits-reports-release-amid-fresh-claims/
[2] Peer Muhammad, “Human Rights Commission of Pakistan: Fact-Finding mission finds Balochistan worse off,” Express Tribune, August 31, 2012. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/428885/human-rights-commission-of-pakistan-fact-finding-mission-finds-balochistan-worse-off/
[3] Shahbaz Rana, “Allaying concerns: ‘Nuclear programme not at risk from foreign investment,” Express Tribune, August 31, 2012. Available at: http://tribune.com.pk/story/428932/allaying-concerns-nuclear-programme-not-at-risk-from-foreign-investment/
[4] “Pakistan, Iran vow to expeditiously pursue joint mega projects,” APP, August 30, 2012. Available at: http://dawn.com/2012/08/30/pakistan-iran-vow-to-expeditiously-pursue-joint-mega-projects/.
[5] “Liberal visa policy with India likely this year,” The News International, August 31, 2012. Available at: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-129206-Liberal-visa-policy-with-India-likely-this-year
[6] “Pakistan keen to promote ties with Australia: PM,” APP, August 31, 2012. Available at: http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=65696
[7] “PM, CJCSC discuss army’s professional preparedness,” The News International, August 31, 2012. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-17167-PM,-CJCSC-discuss-armys-professional-preparedness
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