North Waziristan Grand Jirga opposes military operations; Interior Minister says no army representative will be included in government’s negotiating committee; Taliban’s proposal for office in Peshawar not being considered; Prime Minister holds meeting to discuss peace talks with TTP; Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources says Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline to be completed 30 months after sanctions against Iran lifted; President Obama says U.S. and Pakistan have a shared commitment to combating terrorism; Finance Minister asks U.S. to expedite release of $1.6 billion in CSF money; Musharraf trial restarts; Interior Ministry believes TTP and al Qaeda are planning attacks against Musharraf; Gunmen kill ASWJ leader and injure two others in Islamabad; Gunmen kill two people in Kech district; Militants kill two policemen escorting a polio vaccination team in Dera Ismail Khan; Prime Minister says Pakistan committed to nuclear non-proliferation.
Military Operations
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On Monday, representatives of a tribal jirga in North Waziristan agency expressed their opposition to military operations in the area, adding that the government would not achieve anything from operations that would increase the suffering of civilians. Members also stated that “anti-state elements” of various militant organizations would exploit the situation if the government carried out ground operations in North Waziristan.[1]
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According to a Tuesday article in The Wall Street Journal more than 4,000 Pakistani soldiers have been killed and more than 13,000 injured in Pakistan’s battle against terrorism since 2004. Despite Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) recognition of the authority of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar, the article underscores the TTP’s ties with al Qaeda and its efforts to target both Pakistan and the United States, including the 2010 failed car bombing in New York City. Analysts and diplomats referenced in the article claim that military operations in North Waziristan are increasingly likely, given the recent spate of attacks on security officials and army targets.[2]
Peace Talks with the TTP
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According to a Tuesday article in Geo News, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated that the no one from the army will be included in the government’s new negotiating committee that will engage in direct talks with the TTP. Although members of the military will not be directly involved in the committee, Khan added that the army supports the peace process.[3]
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According to a Tuesday article in The News, the Minister of State for Interior Balighur Rehman said that the Taliban’s proposal to open an office in Peshawar is not under consideration, adding that no formal request for the office had been received.[4]
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On Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with the Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, and the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam to discuss the peace process with the TTP.[5]
Iran-Pakistan Relations
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On Monday, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khakan Abbasi claimed that Pakistan plans to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline within 30 months after sanctions against Iran are lifted.[6]
U.S.-Pakistan Relations
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On Monday, President Barack Obama stated that the U.S. and Pakistan have a shared commitment to combating terrorism and extremism, adding that both countries want a secure and stable Afghanistan to promote peace, security, and socio-economic development throughout South Asia. Obama said that strong U.S.-Pakistan relations were critical to regional and international security. [7]
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On Monday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar requested that the United States speed up its distribution of $1.6 billion promised under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF).[8]
UK-Pakistan Relations
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On Tuesday, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz travelled to the United Kingdom to meet with UK Secretary of State William Hague to discuss relations between the two countries.[9]
Musharraf Trial
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On Tuesday, the court trying former President Pervez Musharraf reconvened. Musharraf is expected to appear in court on Friday, and could be indicted the same day.[10]
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On Monday, the Interior Ministry sent a letter to the Punjab Home Secretary saying that the TTP and al Qaeda are planning attacks against former President Pervez Musharraf during his upcoming trial for treason. Musharraf’s lawyer also claimed that attacks against the judges, lawyers, and prosecutors are being planned by terrorists.[11]
Militancy
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On Monday, unknown gunmen in Islamabad fired on the car of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Rawalpindi President, Mufti Tanvir Alim, killing another ASWJ leader, Muhammad Sohail Muavia, and injuring two others.[12]
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On Tuesday, unidentified gunmen killed two people and injured three in an attack in Pedrak, Kech district, Balochistan.[13]
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On Tuesday, militants shot and killed two policemen who were escorting a polio vaccination team in the Garo Ahmed area of Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking at a meeting of the Polio Task Force at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in Islamabad, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stated that no compromise would be made on the National Emergency Action Plan for polio.[14]
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On Tuesday, a truck in Mauripur, Karachi burst into flames after an explosion, injuring two people. It is unclear whether this incident was an attack or an accident.[15]
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According to a Tuesday article in Geo News, the mother of one of the suicide bombers that carried out the attack on the district court complex in Islamabad told investigators that her son, Fidaullah, was involved in the attack.[16]
Domestic