JUI-S leader tasked to revive peace talks with the TTP; Government officials outline plan to eliminate terrorism; Development funds wasted in South Waziristan; President Musharraf declares his term as Pakistan’s golden era;” Pakistani army resists responding to Musharraf’s statements; 11 journalists killed in Pakistan in 2013; Militants detonate explosives outside shrine in Charsadda; Police defuse a bomb near Lakki Markwat; Militants kill police inspector in Karachi’s SITE area.
Peace Negotiations
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On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sharif tasked the leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Sami (JUI-S), Maulana Samiul Haq, to initiate dialogue with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The two met today to discuss a strategy to revive peace talks with the TTP. Samiul Haq also stressed that drone strikes in the region must stop and encouraged Sharif to halt military actions against militants in North Waziristan.[1]
Domestic
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On Monday, representatives at a high-level meeting held by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif outlined a plan to harmonize laws pertaining to terrorism and create a comprehensive strategy to eliminate terrorism in Pakistan. The anti-terror laws will help prosecute individuals who attack civilians and Pakistan’s armed forces. A special committee in charge of the legislation will submit its report to the government within ten days.[2]
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According to a Tuesday article in Dawn, funds that were allocated for development in South Waziristan agency have largely been wasted. Over the last five years, South Waziristan has received Rs4 billion for development schemes in 14 sectors of the agency.[3]
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On Tuesday, former President Pervez Musharraf addressed a gathering after securing bail, where he lamented Pakistan’s current conditions and declared his term as a “golden era” for Pakistan. Musharraf also reiterated that he has the support of the army in the treason case against him. The Pakistan Army has resisted responding to former President Musharraf’s statement that he has the army’s support in his trial.[4]
Militancy
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According to a report released by the Media Monitoring Cell of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) cited in a Tuesday article in the Express Tribune, eleven journalists were killed in Pakistan in 2013.[5]
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On Tuesday, unknown militants detonated explosive materials outside of the Baba Saheb shrine in Charsadda district, damaging the wall of the shrine. There were no casualties.[6]
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On Monday, police and bomb disposal personnel defused an explosive device near Nar Shezah Killay in Lakki Marwat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).[7]
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On Tuesday, unknown gunmen killed police inspector Bahauddin Babar in Karachi’s SITE area. According to a Tuesday article in Dawn, Babar was a member of the Lyari Task Force Cell (LTFC) and was involved in the arrest of several criminals active in the Lyari gang war.[8]
Ahmad Noorani, “ISPR, army stay quiet on Musharraf’s claims,” The News, December 31, 2013. Available at: http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-223585-ISPR,-army-stay-quiet-on-Musharrafs--claims