Pakistan Security Brief

Al Qaeda claims responsibility for Weinstein kidnapping; U.S. claims it received “go-ahead” from Pakistan prior to raid, Kayani authorizes troops to fire if U.S. or NATO forces cross into Pakistani territory; Karzai initiative seeks to relocate Taliban families; Pakistan decides to boycott Bonn Conference “in interest of national security”; Ijaz ready to appear before Supreme Court; Jahangir to represent Haqqani; Police arrest four TTP terrorists and murderer in Karachi; Afghan militants mount cross-border attack; Three police officers killed in Multan; India arrests IM terrorists, one Pakistani national; BBC reports on increase of British Asian kidnappings in Pakistan; Malik attempted to obstruct London murder case.

Weinstein Kidnapping

U.S.-Pakistan Relations

War on Terror

  • In recent months, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been pursuing an initiative to move Taliban family members to safe areas within Afghanistan. The plan seeks to foster peace talks with the Taliban free of Pakistani influence. Currently, most families of Taliban leaders live in Pakistan where they are under virtual house arrest by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). According to one Afghan official, “It is a deliberate policy of ISI, who cannot trust people to fight unless they bring their family to Pakistan.” Karzai’s initiative stalled following the assassination of Afghan peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani by a Taliban suicide bomber. However, U.S. officials have continued communicating with the Taliban and have kept details of the process secret to avoid Pakistani interference.[3]

Bonn Conference

Memogate

Karachi Violence

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Punjab

Indian Mujahideen

Kidnappings

  • BBC reports that the number of British Asians kidnapped in Pakistan has steadily increased in recent years.  Data from the Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) reveals that kidnappers targeted 22 British Asians in Pakistan last year, up from only 8 percent in 2006. SOCA officials added that the actual numbers could be much higher as many families are afraid to report kidnappings to authorities and prefer to deal with ransoms on their own.[11]

Pakistani Politics


[2] “Munter offers Condolences on Nato strike,” Dawn, December 1, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/01/munter-offers-condolences-on-nato-strike.html
“Report: Pakistan gave 'go-ahead' before NATO attack, says US,” Express Tribune, December 2, 2011. Available at
“Pakistan Says US Gave Wrong Info Before Strike,” AP, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/12/02/world/asia/AP-AS-Pakistan.html?ref=world
“After NATO Strike, Pakistan Adjusts Rules of Engagement,” Reuters, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2011/12/02/world/international-us-islamabad.html?ref=world
Kamran Yousaf, “Kayani’s bold move: ‘Pakistani troops will return fire if Nato attacks again,’” Express Tribune, December 1, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/301027/kayanis-bold-move-pakistani-troops-will-return-fire-if-nato-attacks-again/
“Troops free to hit back in future: Kayani,” Dawn, December 2, 2011. Available at
“Rallies against NATO attack continue,” Express Tribune, December 2, 2011. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/300835/rallies-against-nato-attack-continue/
[3] Jon Boone, “Karzai to Taliban: talk peace and I'll protect you from Pakistan spies,” Guardian, December 1, 2011. Available at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/01/karzai-taliban-peace-pakistan-spies
[4] “Parliament to decide on Bonn conference stance: PM,” Geo, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=27743
[5] “Mansoor Ijaz says ready to face SC,” Dawn, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/02/mansoor-ijaz-says-ready-to-face-sc.html
Richard Leiby, “Mansoor Ijaz, the man who stirred up Pakistan’s ‘Memogate’ storm,” Washington Post, December 1, 2011. Available at  http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/mansoor-ijaz-the-man-who-stirred-up-pakistans-memogate-storm/2011/11/29/gIQAsUtPIO_story.html
“Salahuddin claims he met Mansoor Ijaz on Kashmir issue: BBC,” Dawn, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/02/salahuddin-claims-he-met-mansoor-ijaz-on-kashmir-issue-bbc.html
[6] “Asma to represent Haqqani,” Dawn, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/02/asma-to-represent-haqqani.html
[7] “Four alleged terrorists arrested in Karachi,” Geo, December 1, 2011. Available at http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=27732
“Police foils another terrorist attack in Karachi, arrests four,” Dawn, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/01/police-foils-another-terrorist-attack-in-karachi-arrests-four.html
“Killer of 30 arrested from Kharadar,” Geo, December 1, 2011. Available at
“Parliamentary Committee on National Security endorses Bonn Conference boycott,” Geo, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=27808
[9] “Three killed in assault on police,” Dawn, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.dawn.com/2011/12/02/three-killed-in-assault-on-police.html
[10] “Indian police arrest 6 men, including a Pakistani, in connection with terror attacks,” AP, November 30, 2011. Available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/indian-police-arrest-6-men-including-a-pakistani-in-connection-with-terror-attacks/2011/11/30/gIQAwNfdCO_story.html
Eric Randolph, “Terror arrests 'point at Pakistan' after angry wife leads Indian police to group,” The National, December 2, 2011. Available at http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/south-asia/terror-arrests-point-at-pakistan-after-angry-wife-leads-indian-police-to-group
[11] Adrian Goldberg, “Kidnappings of British Asians rising in Pakistan,” BBC, December 1, 2011. Available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15921160
[12] Rob Crilly, “Pakistani minister 'asked British peer to block evidence in murder investigation,'” Telegraph, December 1, 2011. Available at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/8928361/Pakistani-minister-asked-British-peer-to-block-evidence-in-murder-investigation.html
View Citations
TIMELINE
Arrow down red
Dec '11
Nov '11