Karzai reiterates amnesty for Taliban, expresses hope for Doha office; British Parliament calls for Pakistani tax reform before more aid; India and Pakistan could avoid complete escalation Militants attack Kurram check post; Police arrest LeJ leader in Karachi; Militants open fire on shop in Karachi, kill five; Police kill TTP member; Militants gun down ANP activist; Kayani expresses support for open elections; New government will pose problem for U.S. drone strikes.

Peace Talks                                                                                              

U.K-Pakistan Relations

Indo-Pak Relations

  • On Wednesday, the Nuclear Threat Initiative published a report saying that the Pakistan Army’s Strategic Plans Division spokesman believes that in a potential conflict between India and Pakistan, both actors could “prevent a catastrophic acceleration in violence.” The report estimated that both countries have roughly 100 nuclear warheads; and warned that the nature of their conflicts means that tensions could escalate to crisis even if neither country desires escalation. However, despite the threat of undesired escalation, both countries have provisions in place to delay violence and give incremental opportunities for dialogue, even after fighting has started.  [3]

Militancy

Domestic Politics

Drone Strikes

  • According to a Washington Times article on Wednesday, the upcoming Pakistani election could threaten the U.S. drone program in Pakistan because the “major candidates” for the prime minister’s position all oppose the use of drone.  Karl Inderfurth, a defense expert on South Asian affairs, said that any new government will demand greater respect for Pakistani sovereignty and will adamantly oppose drones. [12]


[1] “Taliban Doha office could help Afghan peace: Karzai,” Dawn, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/03/taliban-doha-office-could-help-afghan-peace-karzai/
[2] “Pakistan re-coup taxes before increased aid: MP’s,” The Guardian, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2013/apr/04/pakistan-recoup-taxes-aid-mps
[3] “Pakistani military sanguine about avoiding nuclear calamity,” NTI, April 3 2013.  Available at http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/pakistani-military-sanguine-about-avoiding-nuclear-calamity/
[4] “Four militants killed in attack on Kurram check post,” Dawn, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/04/four-militants-killed-in-attack-on-kurram-checkpost/
[5] “CID arrests LeJ Karachi chief, his associate,” The News, April 4, 2013.  Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-169196-CID-arrests-LeJ-Karachi-chief,-his-associate
“Political worker among 5 injured in Karachi firing,” The News, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-95270-Political-worker-among-5-injured-in-Karachi-firing
“Former UC Nazim house attacked with cracker,” The News, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-95214-Former-UC-Nazim-house-attacked-with-cracker
[6] “TTP militant killed in encounter,” The News, April 4, 2013. Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-169216-TTP-militant-killed-in-encounter
“Boy killed in crossfire,” The News, April 4, 2013.  Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-169203-Boy-killed-in-crossfire
“ANP worker killed,” The News, April 4, 2013.  Available at www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-169197-ANP-worker-killed
[7] “Kidnapped engineer killed in Lahore,” Geo, April 4, 2013. Available at http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=95283
[8] “Gunmen kill two, injure three in Balochistan’s Dalbandin area,” Dawn, April 4, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/04/04/gunmen-kill-two-injure-three-in-balochistans-dalbandin-area/
[9] “Five injured in Charsadda blasts,” The News, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-169346-Five-injured-in-Charsadda-blasts
[10] “Soldier hurt in Bara attack,” The News, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-169363-Soldier-hurt-in-Bara-attack
[11] “Army for an all inclusive election: Kayani,” Express Tribune, April 4, 2013.  Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/531076/army-for-an-all-inclusive-election-kayani/
[12] “Pakistan elections pose threat to U.S. drone program,” Washington Times, April 3, 2013. Available at http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/3/pakistan-elections-pose-threat-us-drone-program/
View Citations