U.S. blames Pakistan for drone strikes in FATA, Pakistan rejects accusations; Karachi police arrest 60-200 in connection with Sunday car bombing; MPA Sultan Tareen kidnapped near Quetta; Security forces kill 10 in Upper Orakzai; Targeted killings and torture kill seven in Karachi; Malik accuses Punjab government of striking deal with LeJ; Pentagon officials say shipments from Afghanistan still secure; Police defuse IED in Peshawar; Karachi ANF seize 3,186kg of Hashish; Stranded Pakistani sailors return home from India; TTP release videos threatening U.S., Britain, and India, showing footage of Waziristan attacks; Polio vaccination teams to conduct three-day campaign in FATA; U.S. ambassador reiterates support for Pakistan’s energy crisis; Police seize explosives and suicide vest in Bannu raid; JUI-S organizes rally against drone attacks; Prime Minister Ashraf to visit shrine in India.

Drone Strikes

U.S-Pakistan Relations

Domestic Politics

  • On Monday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik accused the Punjab government of making deals with major terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), when he spoke to reporters in Karachi.  Malik cited the relative peace in Punjab and the fact that LeJ has its headquarters in Punjab, as evidence.  He said the Punjab government must have struck a deal with the militants, because despite the fact that Punjab is Pakistan’s most populous region, and home to many Shias, there were still no attacks there. [6]

Al Qaeda and Taliban Public Statements

Militancy

Increased Security

Polio Vaccination

Indo-Pak Relations


[1] “Only two drone strikes in February killing nine,” The News, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-163202-Only-two-drone-strikesin-February-killing-nine
“U.S. Disavows 2 Drone Strikes Over Pakistan,” The New York Times, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/world/asia/us-disavows-2-drone-strikes-over-pakistan.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp&
“Pakistan Army rejects NYT report on drone strikes,” Dawn, March 5, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/03/05/pakistan-army-rejects-nyt-report-on-drone-strikes/
[2] “Waziristan tribesmen rally against operations, drones,” The News, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-7-163490-Waziristan-tribesmen-rally-against-operations,-drones
[3] Carlo Munoz, “DOD: Pakistan bombings will not deter Afghan withdrawal plans,” The Hill, March 5, 2013. Available at http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/operations/286023-dod-pakistan-bombings-will-not-deter-afghan-withdrawal-plans-
[4] “US-funded restoration of Tarbela Dam complete: Olson,” Dawn, March 5, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/03/05/us-announces-financial-assistance-for-tarbela-dam-restoration/
“US supports Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India pipeline,” Geo, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=90860
“Polio campaign kicks off in Fata,” The News, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-163594-Polio-campaign-kicks-off-in-Fata
[5] “Pak-Iran pipeline pact precipitates shift in foreign policy,” The News, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-163575-Pak-Iran-pipeline-pact-precipitates-shift-in-foreign-policy
[6]“Malik accuses Punjab government of striking deal with LeJ,” The News International, March 5, 2013.  http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-21370-Malik-accuses-Punjab-govt-of-striking-deal-with-LeJ
[11] “60 suspects held since last night,” The News International, March 5, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-90813-60-suspects-held-since-last-night%3a-IGP
“Karachi Rangers arrest 200 in quick operation,” Pakistan Today, March 4, 2013.  Available at http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/04/city/karachi/rangers-arrest-200-in-quick-operation/
[12] “Balochistan MPA abducted from Kuchlack,” Express Tribune, March 5, 2013.  Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/516133/balochistan-mpa-abducted-from-kuchlack/
[13] “10 militants killed in Upper Orakzai agency,” Pakistan Today,  March 5, 2013.  Available at http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/05/news/national/10-militants-killed-in-upper-orakzai-agency/
[14] “Karachi: seven more fall prey to violence,” Pakistan Today, March 5, 2013.  Available at http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/04/city/karachi/seven-more-fall-prey-to-violence/
“Five of the victims shot dead after torture,” The News International http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-163433-Five-of-the-victims-shot-dead-after-torture
[15] “ANF seizes 3,186kg of Hashish,” The News International, March 5, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-163595-ANF-seizes-3,186kg-of-Hashish
[16] “Bid to blast a remote control bomb foiled at Matni,” Geo, March 5, 2013.  Available at www.thenews.com.pk/article-90852-Bid-to-blast-a-remote-control-bomb-foiled-at-Matni
[17] “Blast at polio center in Jamrud hospital injures LHW,”  March 5, 2013.  Available at http://dawn.com/2013/03/05/blast-at-polio-center-in-jamrud-hospital-injures-lhw/
[18] “Suicide jacket, hand grenade recovered,” Pakistan Today, March 5, 2013.  Available at http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/04/news/national/suicide-jacket-hand-grenade-recovered/
[19] “Balochistan increases security,” The News, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-163577-Balochistan-increases--security
[20] “Security tightened during anti-polio drive in Peshawar,” The News, March 5, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-90847-Security-beefed-up-during-anti-polio-drive-in-Peshawar 
[21] “First arrest made in connection to the Hyderabad bombings,” Dawn, March 5, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/03/04/first-arrest-made-in-connection-to-the-hyderabad-bombings/
[22]“All 5 Pakistanis stranded at Indian port return home,” Geo, March 5, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-90823-All-5-Pakistanis-stranded-at-Indian-port-return-home
[23]“Pakistan PM Raja Pervez Ashraf to visit Indian shrine in Ajmer,” BBC, March 5, 2013.  Available at  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-21666156
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