India investigates bombing in Hyderabad, Pakistan offers condolences; Zardari addresses U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says drones counterproductive; General Allen says Pakistani tribal areas greatest threat; U.S. Army plans to build drug combating centers in Karachi, Islamabad; Khar expresses satisfaction with trajectory of U.S.-Pakistan relations; LeJ leader Malik Ishaq arrested over Quetta bombings; FC raid kills militants in Quetta; IED in Quetta injures security guards; Karachi police arrest wanted gangster Rashid Rekha; Raids in Karachi capture ten, including TTP fundraiser; Three killed in Karachi targeted killings; Nuland warns Pakistan of signing agreement with Tehran; Afghan officials refuse extradition of Maulvi Faqir Muhammad; Foreign office spokesperson states Pakistan is committed to bringing peace to Afghanistan; General Asim Bajwa denies allegations of involvement with LeJ.

India Bombing

U.S.-Pakistan Relations

Militancy

Afghan-Pakistan Relations

  • On Thursday, officials from the Afghan government refused Pakistan’s request for the extradition of arrested TTP commander, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad. Officials from the Afghan foreign ministry stated the there is no agreement concerning extradition between the two countries. An article by the Express Tribune, states that Afghan foreign ministry spokesperson, Janan Musazai, said that Pakistan had refused to return Taliban prisoners to Afghanistan, because it said no extradition agreement existed, during a trilateral conference held earlier last week, and that the Afghan rejection could be a tit-for-tat response.[18]

  • Foreign Office Spokesperson, Moazzam Ahmed Khan, stated on Thursday that Pakistan is committed to bringing permanent peace in Afghanistan. Khan also mentioned that the U.S. and Pakistan have been working together to develop a strategy ensuring a stable passage for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.[19]

Terrorism

  • On Thursday, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) General Asim Bajwa said that the Pakistani army was not in contact with any militant organizations to include LeJ in response to recent allegations by human rights organizations claiming that the army has been negotiating with LeJ.[20]

  • On Thursday, the leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, said that a delegation of tribal elders will meet with government officials during an All Parties Conference scheduled for February 28. Rehman said the meeting will be held to discuss a strategy for peace negotiations between the government and militants.[21]

  • Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan stated on Thursday that the recent terrorist attacks on the Hazara community indicate a failure of Pakistani security forces and intelligence agencies. Khan said the country is facing many challenges because of the political differences between Pakistani leaders and suggested that all the parties should put aside political differences to defeat terrorism and ensure the survival of Pakistan.[22]

Reserves fall


[1] “India to investigate Hyderabad bomb blasts, eyes the Indian Mujahideen... again,” The Christian Science Monitor, February 22, 2013. Available at http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2013/0221/India-to-investigate-Hyderabad-bomb-blasts-eyes-the-Indian-Mujahideen-again-video
“Twin bombings kill 12, wound more in south India,” Yahoo, February 22, 2013. Available at http://news.yahoo.com/twin-bombings-kill-12-wound-more-south-india-002702862.html
“Pakistan condemns India bomb attacks,” Dawn, February 22, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/02/22/pakistan-condemns-india-bomb-attacks/
[2] “Pakistan seeks alternative to drone attacks,” Express Tribune, February 22, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/510675/khar-satisfied-with-current-direction-of-pakistan-us-relationship/
“Blame game not to help defeat terrorists, Zardari tells US senators,” The News, February 22, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-161424-Blame-game-not-to-help-defeat-terrorists,-Zardari-tells-US-senators  
[3] Dion Nissenbaum, “Gen. Allen: Pakistan’s tribal areas top threat,” Wall Street Journal, February 21, 2013.  Available at  http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/02/21/gen-allen-pakistans-tribal-areas-top-threat/
[4] Spencer Ackerman, “Cash-Strapped Army Still Plans on Helping Pakistan Fight Narcotics,” Wired, February 21, 2013.  Available at http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/02/pakistan-drugs/
[5] “Pakistan seeks alternative to drone attacks,” Express Tribune, February 22, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/510675/khar-satisfied-with-current-direction-of-pakistan-us-relationship/
[6] “US urges Pakistan not to sign deal with Iran,” Geo, February 22, 2013. Available at www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=89113
[7] Munir Ahmed, “Pakistan arrests former head of banned Sunni group,” Associated Press, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-arrests-former-head-banned-sunni-group-140729131.html
[8] “FC kills two suspects in Quetta operation,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-89124-FC-kills-two-suspects-in-Quetta-operation--
[9] “Three injured in Quetta bomb attack,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-161425-Three-injured-in-Quetta-bomb-attack
[10] “200 arrested in Bara search operation,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-161423-200-arrested-in-Bara-search-operation
[11] “200 arrested in Bara search operation,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-161423-200-arrested-in-Bara-search-operation
[12] “Two shot dead in Mansehra,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-161399-Two-shot-dead-in-Mansehra
[13] “Six killed in Sukkur incidents,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-21120-Six-killed-in-Sukkur-incidents
[14] “Once a wanted gangster, Lyaris Rasheed Rekha killed,” Express Tribune, February 22, 2013.  Available at  http://tribune.com.pk/story/510924/once-a-wanted-gangster-lyaris-rasheed-rekha-killed/
[15] “Two gunned down, one injured in Karachi,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-89207-Two-gunned-down,-one-injured-in-Karachi
[16] “10 held in Karachi targeted operation,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-89130-10-held-in-Karachi-targeted-operation-
“TTP activist among five held in Karachi: CID,” The News International, February 21, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-89090-CID-Karachi-cops-5-militants-including-TTP-man
[17] “Two women abducted in Moro,” The News International, February 22, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-89129-Two-women-abducted-in-Moro
“India says warned of bombs that killed 16 in IT hub Hyderabad,” Reuters, February 22, 2013. Available at http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/22/us-india-bomb-idUSBRE91L05Z20130222
[18] “Afghanistan refuses to hand over Maulvi Faqir,” Express Tribune, February 22, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/510971/afghanistan-refuses-to-hand-over-maulvi-faqir/
[19] “Pakistan wants permanent peace in Afghanistan: FO,” Dawn, February 22, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/02/21/pakistan-wants-permanent-peace-in-afghanistan-fo/
[20] “Army says it has no links with LJ,” Dawn¸ February 22, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/02/22/army-says-it-has-no-links-with-lj/
[21] “Strategy for Taliban talks during Feb 28 APC: Fazl,” The News, February 22, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-89077-Strategy-for-Taliban-talks-to-be-finalized-in-Feb-28-APC:-Fazl
[22] “Terror acts failure of security forces, agencies....PHC CJ says the nation became directionless after Quaid-i-Azam,” The News, February 22, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-161383-Terror-acts-failure-of-security-forces,-agencies  
[23] “Pakistan forex reserves fall to $13.058 billion,” Dawn, February 22, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/02/21/pakistan-forex-reserves-fall-to-13-058-billion
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