Afghan Taliban spokesman denies reports Mullah Omar distributed pamphlets encouraging feuding TTP factions to resolve their differences; Spokesman for Commander Sheheryar faction of the TTP accuses Khan Said Sajna of power grab in South Waziristan; Documentary claims U.S. Air Force has participated in CIA drone strikes in Pakistan; Orakzai Freedom Movement claims to release all but 10 people kidnapped from Tirah Valley; IED targeting security forces vehicle on way to Miram Shah injures one; Gas pipelines blown up in Sindh and Balochistan; Finance Minister Ishaq Dar seeks “national consensus” on what to do regarding TTP if peace talks fail; 6.7$ billion IMF loan to be repaid through increased tax collection.
TTP Infighting
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A Monday article in Dawn reported that a pamphlet written on Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s letterhead had been distributed in parts of North Waziristan, which confirmed “serious differences” between rival factions of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and appealed to local tribesmen to help resolve the conflict. The TTP has denied the extent of the internal rift, stating that any issues had been resolved and were not a “big problem” anymore.[1]
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On Tuesday, the spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, denied reports that the Afghan Taliban had distributed pamphlets calling on the TTP to seek the guidance of the Holy Quran to resolve the differences between the Khan Said Sajna- and Commander Sheheryar Mehsud-led factions of the TTP. Mujahid stated that the pamphlets had no association with the Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, and that they had been distributed by local groups.[2]
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On Monday, the spokesman for the TTP faction led by Commander Sheheryar Mehsud, Haji Daud, accused Khan Said Sajna of wanting to take control of South Waziristan. Daud also expressed his confidence in TTP chief Mullah Fazlullah, adding that he would accept Fazlullah’s appointment of the next TTP chief of South Waziristan.[3]
U.S. Drone Strikes
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A documentary released on Tuesday claims that the Central Intelligence Agency’ (CIA) Pakistan drone program has been piloted by the U.S. Air Force’s 17th squadron from a remote location in Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. This contradicts previous claims that the drones were piloted by directly by the CIA.[4]
Militancy
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On Monday, the Orakzai Freedom Movement claimed that 10 people kidnapped from Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency remained in the group’s custody, while the others had been released. According to the group’s spokesman, Hafiz Saeed Tauheedi, the Orakzai Freedom Movement kidnapped people who were involved in “un-Islamic practices.” The political administration in Orakzai agency said seven people were still in the militant group’s custody.[5]
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A Tuesday article in Dawn reported that one soldier was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) blast targeting a security forces’ convoy en route to Miram Shah, North Waziristan.[6]
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On Monday, a hand grenade attack on the house of a politician in in Khuzdar district, Balochistan injured one person. The politician, who belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was unharmed in the attack.[7]
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On Tuesday, unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline in Karundi, Khairpur district, Sindh.[8]
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On Tuesday, unidentified militants blew up a gas pipeline in Pirkoh, Dera Bugti district, Balochistan.[9]
Domestic
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On Monday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the federal government will “seek a national consensus” on the next steps to take against the TTP if peace talks fail. Dar described the impact of terrorism on the national economy as a “matter of national importance” that required the input of all institutions and political parties. Speaking to the economy, Dar assured representatives at economic meetings in Washington, D.C. that the $6.7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year would be repaid through increased tax collection, adding that neither the defense budget, nor the salaries and pensions of government employees could be reduced to help finance the debt. Dar also stated that the World Bank is likely to approve $700 million for the Dasu hydel project and other irrigation projects in Sindh.[10]
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According to a Tuesday article in the Express Tribune, projections released by the IMF’s Fiscal Monitor show that Pakistan’s gross debt to national output ratio will remain at 63.4% during the current fiscal year. If true, Pakistan would violate the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation (FRDL) Act of 2006, which stipulates that Pakistan must reduce its total debt to less than 60% of GDP by the end of the current fiscal year.[11]