Pakistan Security Brief

U.S. spokeswoman warns Pakistan of sanctions over Iran pipeline; Interior Minister Rehman Malik reports 2,181 terror attacks since 2008; EU observers invited to monitor election; Supreme Court stays LNG contract; ATC grants a four-day restraint on suspects in Joseph Colony riots; Suicide bomber kills two in Bannu; District Election Commissioner for Quetta killed; Rangers arrest 31 in Karachi; Several killed in various violent incidents; Japan sends millions in support of polio campaign.

Iran-Pakistan Pipeline

Terrorism

  • In a written statement submitted to the Senate on Thursday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that 2,139 people lost their lives in 2,181 terror incidents across Pakistan (excluding Punjab) in the last five years.  Malik then broke down specific numbers for each region, citing the number of attacks, deaths, injuries, total compensation money paid, and the cost of fighting or rebuilding after terrorism.[2]

Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal

  • The Ottawa Citizen published a report on Sunday which states that Pakistan is believed to possess 90 to 110 nuclear weapons. The report states that while Pakistan’s reasons for expanding its nuclear arsenal are unclear, it considers a “minimum credible deterrent” necessary to dissuade potential Indian military action against it. According the report, India currently has between 60 to 80 nuclear warheads.[3] 

Christian Community Riots

  • On Monday, police officials asked the Anti-Terrorism Court to grant a 14 day physical restraint for 14 suspects in the Joseph Colony riots in which thousands of rioters burned at least 150 houses of a Christian community. The ATC granted police officials a four-day restraint to produce an investigation report.[4]

Karachi Operation

  • On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Sindh Rangers said during a press briefing that the Rangers personnel have apprehended at least 460 suspects in connection with targeted killings over the last three months in Karachi. Sindh Rangers launched targeted operations in response to an explosion which killed 2 people in Landhi on Monday and arrested 31 suspects as well as recovered several weapons and ammunition.[5]

Militancy

Elections

LNG Contract

Anti-polio Campaign


[1] Ben German, “U.S. offers fresh sanctions warning to Pakistan over Iranian gas pipeline,” The Hill, March 11, 2013.  Available at http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/287383-us-offers-fresh-sanctions-warning-to-pakistan-over-iranian-gas-pipeline   
“President inaugurates historic gas pipeline,” Express Tribune, March 11, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/519089/president-inaugurates-historic-gas-pipeline/
[2] “Five year performance: on average, one person died in each terror attack,” Express Tribune, March 12, 2013.  Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/519587/five-year-performance-on-average-one-person-died-in-each-terror-attack/
[3] “Back to Global Security Newswire Home About Global Security Newswire Contact Us
Pakistan Holds 90-110 Nukes: Report,” Global Security Newswire, March 12, 2013. Available at http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/pakistan-holds-90-110-nukes-report/
[4] “14 attack accused remanded,” The News, March 12, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-164857-14-attack-accused-remanded
[5] “31 suspects nabbed during targeted op in Landhi,” The News, March 12, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-91853-Rangers-arrest-31-suspects-in-Landhi-op--
[6] “Three killed in Bannu suicide attack,” The News, March 12, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-91869-Three-killed,-18-injured-in-Bannu-suicide-blast--
[7] “Gunmen kill district election commissioner in Quetta,” Dawn, March 12, 2013. Available at http://dawn.com/2013/03/12/gunmen-kill-district-election-commissioner-in-quetta/
[8] “Man shot dead in Khuzdar,” The News, March 12, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-164873-Man-shot-dead-in-Khuzdar
[9] “Six killed, 11 injured in Larkana incidents,” The News, March 12, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-164860-Six-killed,-11-injured-in-Larkana-incidents
[10] “Five militants held in Kurram,” The News, March 12, 2013. Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-164871-Five-militants-held-in-Kurram
[11] “Bomb near Iftikhar Hussain's house wounds six: Police,” Express Tribune, March 12, 2013. Available at http://tribune.com.pk/story/519569/bomb-near-iftikhar-hussains-house-wounds-six-police/
[12] “Pakistan welcomes EU observers for May polls,” The News International, March 12, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-21540-Pakistan-welcomes-EU-observers-for-May-polls
[13] “SC stays award of Rs4,600 billion LNG contract,” The News International, March 12, 2013.  Available at http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-21532-SC-stays-award-of-Rs4,600-billion-LNG-contract
[14] “Japan grants 2.62m for polio eradication in Pakistan,” Pakistan Today, March 12, 2013.  Available at http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/03/12/city/islamabad/japan-grants-2-62m-for-polio-eradication-in-pakistan/
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