TTP infighting has had negative impact on peace talks; TTP says it is still serious about pursuing peace talks; Karachi judge asks police to file charges against FBI agent; U.S., Pakistan reaffirm commitment to improving bilateral relations; Pakistan’s Prime Minister meets with Iran’s Supreme Leader, President during two-day visit; Firing between Indian and Pakistani security forces across LoC takes place over two days; Intelligence officials warn that PTI protests could be target for terrorist attack; Interior Minister praises peaceful PTI protestors; Suicide bomber targeting IDPs kills five in Peshawar; IED blast injures four in Peshawar; North Waziristan administration imposes indefinite curfew; IED blast kills four security forces personnel in Mir Ali, North Waziristan; Armed clashes between local groups kills five in Bannu; IED kills one soldier in Bajaur; Gunmen set fire to NATO truck in Jamrud, Khyber; Militants throw bomb at check post in Khuzdar, Balochistan, injuring 19; Police arrest five alleged terrorists in Multan; Ishaq Dar says IMF agrees to release of $550 million loan tranche; Pakistan opposes creation of a new permanent seat on UN Security Council; Sunni Ittehad Council members protest Geo/Jang news group, support military in Karachi.
TTP Peace Talks
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According to a Monday article in The News, infighting within the TTP has had a negative impact on peace talks between TTP negotiators and the government. One unnamed government source said that members of the government-nominated negotiating committee could not visit the tribal areas in the midst of violent clashes. TTP committee member Maulana Yousuf Shah alleged that the government is intentionally delaying the second round of peace talks as it prepares for military operations in the region.[1]
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According to a Monday article in the Express Tribune, Azam Tariq Mehsud, a member of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Political Shura and the group’s chief in South Waziristan, stated that the TTP is still serious about pursuing peace talks with the government, but that the date and venue for the next round of talks will be decided only when the government and the army are “on the same page.”[2]
U.S.-Pakistan Relations
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On Saturday, a judge in Karachi asked the police to file formal charges against the FBI agent arrested at Jinnah International Airport for attempting to carry ammunition and knives onto a domestic flight. FBI agent Joel Cox was released on bail, but is expected to appear in court on May 19.[3]
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On Friday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Ambassador William Burns stated that Pakistan and the U.S. have reaffirmed their commitment to improving bilateral relations and continuing cooperation that will help ensure security and stability in the region. Ambassador Burns met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, and Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif during his visit, where they discussed the situation following the withdrawal of U.S. and allied troops and matters relating to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.[4]
Iran-Pakistan Relations
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On Monday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran, where the two leaders discussed historic relations between Iran and Pakistan. The Supreme Leader added that he had “full confidence” that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would work with Iran to enhance relations between the two countries and encourage development within the region. Prime Minister Sharif also met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during his two-day visit to Iran. On Sunday, Sharif and Rouhani agreed to continue the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project after Sharif expressed his determination to resolve all matters hindering the implementation of the project. The two leaders also restated their commitment to increasing trade between Iran and Pakistan. Lastly, Prime Minister Sharif stated that Pakistan would cooperate with Iran to eliminate Jaish al Adl, the militant group that kidnapped five Iranian soldiers in February.[5]
India-Pakistan Relations
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A Monday article in the Express Tribune reported that firing from Indian forces has continued for the second day at the Bhattal Sector of the Line of Control (LoC). On Sunday, Indian forces used small arms and mortars to fire across the border, after which Pakistani troops responded. Firing continued through the night and into Monday. The firing between Indian and Pakistani security forces is the fourth ceasefire violation in the last three weeks. Military officials within Pakistan’s army have lodged a protest with Indian authorities over the ceasefire violation.[6]
PTI Protests
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On Saturday, intelligence officials warned law enforcement agencies in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Punjab that the May 11 rally planned by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could be the possible target of a terrorist attack. According to an article in The News, some unnamed groups of the TTP allegedly planned to target the rally in Islamabad.[7]
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On Sunday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan applauded PTI protestors for demonstrating a “sense of responsibility” during the May 11 rally in Islamabad. PTI supporters held a protest against the alleged vote rigging in last year’s general elections. Khan expressed his satisfaction over security arrangements made ahead of the rally, adding that the lack of incident from either the PTI or the government demonstrated “political maturity and open-heartedness.” Two other political parties, the Awami Muslim League (AML) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), joined the PTI in the anti-government protests that took place in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The Chief of the PTI, Imran Khan, demanded the formation of a new Election Commission to review election outcomes in four constituencies.[8]
Militancy
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A Friday article in the Long War Journal highlighted the presence of foreign fighters from Pakistan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Russia who have been killed or captured during security operations in Yemen.[9]
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On Sunday, an armed militant wearing a suicide vest fired on crowds in Peshawar’s Shahibagh stadium. After security forces responded with retaliatory fire, the bomber detonated his explosives inside the stadium, killing at least five and injuring 14. The blast also destroyed part of a nearby mosque. According to an article in the Express Tribune, the bomber targeted a registration camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Khyber agency’s Tirah Valley.[10]
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On Saturday, an improvised explosive device (IED) outside a local trader’s house injured four people in the Kohati Gate area of Peshawar. A similar article in The News reported that the blast injured six.[11]
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On Friday, an IED exploded at the Khyber Super Market near Qayyum Stadium in Peshawar Cantonment. However, the blast did not cause any casualties or damage.[12]
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On Saturday, administration officials in North Waziristan imposed an indefinite curfew following an IED attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy that killed nine FC personnel.[13]
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On Sunday, an IED blast injured at least four security forces personnel near the Khajuri check post in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.[14]
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On Monday, unknown militants threw a hand grenade outside a medical college in Dera Ismail Khan, killing a security guard.[15]
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On Sunday, an armed clash between two local groups killed five people and injured one in the Soorangi area of Bannu.[16]
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On Sunday, an IED blast killed one paramilitary soldier and injured four others in the Katkot area of Bajaur agency, near the Afghan border.[17]
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On Saturday, gunmen set on fire a truck carrying NATO supplies in the Jamrud area of Khyber agency. The gunmen intercepted a convoy of trucks that were en route to Afghanistan.[18]
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On Friday, an IED blast planted near the Arbab Complex injured one person in Khuzdar district, Balochistan.[19]
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On Sunday, armed militants reportedly threw a hand-held bomb at a police check post in Khuzdar district, Balochistan, injuring at least 19.[20]
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On Sunday, unknown gunmen fired on a Levies check post in Khuzdar district, Balochistan, killing two.[21]
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On Monday, members of a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) defused three bombs found near a Frontier Corps (FC) checkpost in Chaman, Balochistan.[22]
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On Monday, unknown gunmen killed Navy officer Ghulam Akbar, from Jhang district in Punjab, in Karachi’s Karsaz area. Police sources said the attack appeared to be “sectarian motivated,” whereas media sources said the killing was possibly the result of a failed robbery.[23]
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On Saturday, members of a Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) defused a 100-kilogram IED found outside a police training center in Baldia Town, Karachi.[24]
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On Saturday, police arrested five alleged terrorists for recording a video of the central jail in Multan, Punjab, along with engaging in other “suspicious activities.” According to the police officer, the terrorists were part of a group led by Qari Imran, who is part of the TTP in North Waziristan.[25]
Domestic
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On Saturday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved the release of the fourth tranche of $550 million under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Jeffrey Franks, the IMF’s mission chief for Pakistan, added that although Pakistan’s economic reform program is on track, Pakistan should be wary of rising inflation. Representatives also agreed to a budget framework for the following year, which will reduce the fiscal deficit to 4.8% of gross domestic product (GDP), down from 5.8% from this year’s GDP.[26]
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According to a Friday article in the Express Tribune, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Masoon Khan stated at the United Nations Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council Reform that Pakistan “opposes the creation [of a] new permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).”[27]
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On Friday, members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) held a demonstration in support of the army in front of the New Memon mosque in Karachi. Participants protested against the Jang media group and allegations made by the family of journalist Hamid Mir that the ISI was responsible for the assassination attempt on Mir. Members of the Mohajir Quami Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) also protested in front of Jang’s office.[28]