Pakistan Security Brief

Convoy of JUI-F chief attacked, eleven killed; Tipoff by CIA led to Umar Patek arrest; Indonesian authorities set to travel to Pakistan; Eight militants killed in Kurram; JI leader condemns extra-judicial killings; World Bank approves$125 million loan to Pakistan.

JUI-F chief attacked in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

• The convoy of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehmanwas attacked on Thursday, resulting in eleven deaths, including three policemen. A JUI-F leader, Abdul Jalil Jan, reported that, “The bomb exploded just when Maulana (cleric) Fazl-ur-Rehman's vehicle passed that area. He was on his way to attend a public meeting. He is safe and sound." The attack on Rehman is the second in as many days, following a suicide attack outside of a JUI meeting in Swabi on Wednesday. JUI-F secretary general Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hairdri has placed the blame for the attack on the CIA and the ANP-led coalition government in the province. The JUI-F leader said that, “the Swabi suicide attack was an attempt to kill Maulana Fazl because he was exposing the American designs against the country.” He then asked the government to stop U.S. drone attacks and the operations of the CIA and Blackwater in Pakistan.[i]

CIA Assistance in Umar Patek Arrest

• Dawn reports that a tipoff from the CIA led to the arrest of Umar Patek, wanted in connection to the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings. Two unidentified Pakistani officials said that the CIA had tipped off the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency that Patek may be traveling in the country. A government official alleged that he may have joined in fighting with the Pakistani Taliban. Authorities from Indonesia are set to travel to Pakistan immediately, pending approval from Pakistani officials. However, the Jarkarta Post reports that Indonesian officials may not be able to bring him back to Indonesia. According to National Police chief detective Comr. Gen. Ito Sumardi, “The report said he had been arrested for crimes he committed in Pakistan. It is likely he will face charges there.” During his arrest, Patek was allegedly involved and injured in a firefight, according to Sutanto, the head of Indonesia’s intelligence agency.[ii]

FATA

• Eight militants were killed in Kurram Agency on Thursday following an operation by security forces. Six militants were also injured and two militant hideouts destroyed. A Turi-Bangash tribal jirga has pleaded with the army to assist in maintaining peace in the agency following the recent attacks and kidnappings. Elders representing the jirga stated that it was the responsibility of the government to protect the lives and properties of the tribesmen and protect the road that runs from Hangu to Kurram. [iii]

Balochistan

• Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Secretary General Liaquat Baloch on Wednesday condemned the recent extra-judicial killings and illegal arrests of political workers in Balochistan. In a speech to the Balochistan Bar Association, Baloch stated that the government was responsible for the security situation in the province and needed to implement reforms in Balochistan. In addition, he accused the government of corruption and looting resources.[iv]

World Bank Loan

• The World Bank has approved a $125 million (Rs 10.8 billion) loan to Pakistan to assist in paying for aid to victims of the 2010 floods. However, the Express Tribune states that, “it remains unclear why the government has sought a loan from the World Bank when it has cash on hand already allocated towards flood relief.” $81 million (Rs 6.9 billion) in donations remain in the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.[v]