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Pakistan
Statement:2012
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Date
Incidents
January - 1 
Federal Minister for Postal Services Sardar Muhammad Umar while talking to media at the National Press Club (NPC) said that the Government has fulfilled most of Balochistan’s demands according to the aspirations of Akbar Bugti and the people of the province. He said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
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Federal Minister for Postal Services Sardar Muhammad Umar while talking to media at the National Press Club (NPC) said that the Government has fulfilled most of Balochistan’s demands according to the aspirations of Akbar Bugti and the people of the province. He said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Government had given more autonomy and financial share to Balochistan under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. “The province has been provided with PKR 164 billion under the new award keeping in view its area, while the share was only PKR 52 billion in the last NFC award,” he added. Umar said that Akbar Bugti presented the charter of demands of the Baloch people, but Pevez Musharraf killed the Sardar, instead of accepting the demands.
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January - 1 
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman on January 1 said that the future relationship between Pakistan and the US should be based on mutual respect and the country’s interests should be kept supreme. Addressing a public meeting in Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fazl said Pakis
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Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman on January 1 said that the future relationship between Pakistan and the US should be based on mutual respect and the country’s interests should be kept supreme. Addressing a public meeting in Mardan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fazl said Pakistan was a sovereign country and its relationship with the international community should be based on trust and equality.
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January - 1 
Pakistan is unmatched in terms of the freedom it allows for the pursuit of jihad (holy war) and for the spread of Islam, said Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed on January 1, reported Express Tribune. Saeed said that he did not believe in modern nationalism, but no other “territory” in the worl
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Pakistan is unmatched in terms of the freedom it allows for the pursuit of jihad (holy war) and for the spread of Islam, said Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed on January 1, reported Express Tribune. Saeed said that he did not believe in modern nationalism, but no other “territory” in the world matched Pakistan and it was a great blessing from Allah, adding that the non-Muslims were conspiring against Pakistan both internally and externally. He said Pakistan was being targeted by conspirators because it had been established in the name of Islam
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January - 2 
All Jihadi (holy war) groups, in consultation with Islamic Emirate Afghanistan (shadow Taliban Government in Afghanistan), have decided to set up a committee to set aside differences in their ranks and step up support for war against western forces in Afghanistan, reports Dawn. The decision was take
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All Jihadi (holy war) groups, in consultation with Islamic Emirate Afghanistan (shadow Taliban Government in Afghanistan), have decided to set up a committee to set aside differences in their ranks and step up support for war against western forces in Afghanistan, reports Dawn. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Taliban Shura held at an unspecified place on January 2. A statement issued in the form of a pamphlet to the media in Waziristan after the meeting said that “All Mujahideen —local and foreigners —are informed that all jihadi forces, in consultation with Islamic Emirate Afghanistan, have unanimously decided to form a five-member commission. It will be known as Shura-i-Murakbah.” The committee comprises Maulvi Azmatullah, Maulvi Noor Saeed, Maulvi Saeedullah, Maulvi Sadar Hayat and Hafeez Amir Hamza. According to sources, Azmatullah (Taliban commander in Barwan) represents the Waliur Rehman group, Noor Saeed (Taliban commander in Barwan) the Hakeemullah Mehsud group, Saeedullah (from Afghanistan) the Haqqani group, Sadar Hayat (from North Waziristan) the Maulvi Gul Bahadar group and Amir Hamza (from Ahmedzai Wazir tribe) the Mulla Nazir group in Wana subdivision of South Waziristan. Spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Ehsanullah Ehsan confirmed that the meeting had been held and the statement dated December 31 was issued after approval by Taliban’s supreme leader Mullah Omar. The sources said the committee had been formed to resolve differences among various militant factions regroup them and investigate killings on spying charges and excesses, if any, committed by the Taliban against local people. “All Mujahideen, local and foreigners, are informed that they should desist from killing and kidnapping for ransom innocent people and cooperate with this committee in curbing crimes. If any Mujahid is found involved in unjustified killings, crimes and other illegal activities he will be answerable to Shura-i-Murakbah and will be punished in accordance with the Shariah law,” the statement says. The sources said the high command of TTP and Afghan Taliban had been trying for two months to reach an agreement on uniting different factions. The first meeting in this regard was held on November 27 in Azam Warsak near Wana in South Waziristan Agency. It was attended by Waliur Rehman Mehsud, Hakeemullah Mehsud, Mulla Nazir, Abu Yehya Al Libi and Abdur Rehman al Saudi of al Qaeda and Sirajuddin Haqqani of the Haqqani network. The second meeting was held on December 11 in Dattakhel area of North Waziristan Agency. It was attended by Sabiullah Mujahid, Maulvi Sangeen and Maulvi Ashfaq from Afghanistan, Yehya al Libi and Abdur Rehman al Saudi of al Qaeda, Hafiz Gul Bahadar and Maulvi Sadiq Noor from North Waziristan and Hakeemullah Mehsud, Waliur Rehman and Mulla Nazir from South Waziristan. Talking to Dawn on phone from an unspecified place, TTP spokesman Ehsanullah said the Mujahideen groups had reposed their confidence in the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar and recognised him as the leader of Afghanistan. He said the TTP would send its fighters to Afghanistan after March for waging jihad against “US-led infidel forces”.
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January - 2 
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wynne said that Pakistan's "desire" for peaceful settlement of issues must not be misconstrued as its weakness as the country has the means to give a "befitting response to any unprovoked attack of blatant aggression", adding, "Pakistan
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Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wynne said that Pakistan's "desire" for peaceful settlement of issues must not be misconstrued as its weakness as the country has the means to give a "befitting response to any unprovoked attack of blatant aggression", adding, "Pakistan is a peace-loving country. However, our desire for peaceful settlement of issues must not be misconstrued as our weakness." "Our armed forces and a vibrant Pakistani nation are fully capable to safeguard every inch of ideological and territorial sovereignty of our beloved motherland and we will give a befitting response to any unprovoked attack of blatant aggression by our adversary," he said while addressing a passing out parade at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi.
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January - 2 
NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Coalition spokesman, Brigadier General Carsten Jacobsen, on January 2 said that NATO wants to get relations with Pakistan back on track “as quickly as possible” to reopen its key supply route for foreign troops fighting in Afghanistan, reports Da
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NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Coalition spokesman, Brigadier General Carsten Jacobsen, on January 2 said that NATO wants to get relations with Pakistan back on track “as quickly as possible” to reopen its key supply route for foreign troops fighting in Afghanistan, reports Daily Times. Pakistan closed its main trading route to Afghanistan after the November 26, 2011 raid choking a major supply line for the 130,000 United States (US)-led force. “We ... have an interest for the international community and for Afghanistan that relations with Pakistan are normalising as quickly as possible,” said Carsten Jacobsen, adding, “We are aware that there are things that are not travelling to Afghanistan because they are stuck at border control points. It mainly affects the economy, wages, and work for people who are in the transport business in Pakistan and Afghanistan.” “At present, a total of 3,676 military vehicles and 1,732 containers belonging to NATO forces are at the port,” said a port official in Karachi on condition of anonymity.
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January - 3 
Al Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani militants have held a series of meetings aimed at containing what could soon be open warfare between the two most powerful Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders, reports Dawn. Hakimullah Mehsud, the head of the TTP and his deputy, Wali-ur-Rehman, were at
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Al Qaeda, the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani militants have held a series of meetings aimed at containing what could soon be open warfare between the two most powerful Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders, reports Dawn. Hakimullah Mehsud, the head of the TTP and his deputy, Wali-ur-Rehman, were at each other’s throats, the sources said. “You will soon hear that one of them has eliminated the other, though hectic efforts are going on by other commanders and common friends to resolve differences between the two,” one TTP commander under the condition of anonymity said. Any division within the TTP could hinder the Afghan Taliban and al Qaeda’s struggle in Afghanistan against the United States and its allies, making it more difficult to recruit young fighters and disrupting the alleged safe havens in Pakistan. Taliban sources said Wali-ur-Rehman had ordered his fighters to eliminate Hakimullah Mehsud because of his increasing closeness to al Qaeda and its Arab contingent. Wali-ur-Rehman also alleged that the TTP chief received money from India to kill a former Pakistan spy agency official acting as a mediator between the TTP, Afghan militants and the Pakistani Government.
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January - 4 
‘Secret talks’ between Pakistan’s Security Agencies and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who have reportedly splintered down into many different groups entered a decisive phase on January 4, reported Express Tribune. Now both sides are hoping their negotiations will culminate in a ‘lasting’ agre
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‘Secret talks’ between Pakistan’s Security Agencies and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who have reportedly splintered down into many different groups entered a decisive phase on January 4, reported Express Tribune. Now both sides are hoping their negotiations will culminate in a ‘lasting’ agreement which will restore peace in the country’s lawless tribal lands. “We have drawn the broader outlines for a possible accord. And what we’re now working on are minor details,” said an Intelligence Official, who claimed the results of the ‘year-long’ peace process would be unveiled shortly. “Unlike the past, we are trying to have something workable and implementable this time around,” said the official referring to the failure of all three agreements the security institutions had with the TTP. “These are crucial times…we have to be extremely careful. A slight miscalculation can harm us in a big way,” the official, requesting anonymity, added in reference to changes in the regional war given the eventual withdrawal of the United States (US)-led international forces by 2014. However, publicly, the military denies having any talks with the militants. Senior TTP associates also confirmed that these covert talks with the military establishment were reaching a climax and said there were several indications of things moving ahead. According to sources, earlier, the TTP leader Maulvi Waliur Rehman Mehsud had ordered to halt the training of suicide bombers at several camps in South and North Waziristan. “Now look how effective this thing alone is … it has never happened in four years that the TTP stops training its suicide bombers,” said Raqeebullah Mehsud, a young militant commander from the Ludha area of South Waziristan. Further, Raqeebullah said TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud was not aware of these talks and he, along with a core group following his hard-line positions on talks with the Government was aware of these negotiations. “He [Hakimullah] is out. At least people here think so,” Raqeebullah commented. Though it could not be confirmed, some officials said the TTP chief might have crossed into Afghanistan after sudden defections of his loyalists to pro-Pakistan militant groups who were against launching attacks in the country’s mainland.
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January - 4 
the Abdullah Azam Brigade (AAB) has threatened to target all public and private places and social and religious gatherings in Khyber Agency in retaliation of the military operation conducted in Karamna area in Landikotal on January 1. A spokesman for the militant outfit told local journalists from a
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the Abdullah Azam Brigade (AAB) has threatened to target all public and private places and social and religious gatherings in Khyber Agency in retaliation of the military operation conducted in Karamna area in Landikotal on January 1. A spokesman for the militant outfit told local journalists from an undisclosed location that they would target public and religions gatherings, including funeral and jirgas, and mosques, bazaars and public meetings, because the locals had not protested against the arrest of three women and as many children and killing of 12 militants in the Karamna operation.
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January - 4 
The United States (US) Ambassador-At-Large Daniel Benjamin, who will head the newly-established Bureau of Counterterrorism at the State Department on January 4 said that it wants to strengthen Pakistan’s civilian capacity to counter terrorism as the South Asian nation suffered more at the hands of t
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The United States (US) Ambassador-At-Large Daniel Benjamin, who will head the newly-established Bureau of Counterterrorism at the State Department on January 4 said that it wants to strengthen Pakistan’s civilian capacity to counter terrorism as the South Asian nation suffered more at the hands of terrorist violence than any other country, reports Daily Times. Ambassador Banjamin also acknowledged that “there’s no question we’re going through a difficult time in the wake of the November 26, 2011 cross-border incident and a number of other incidents that have occurred in the last year,” adding, “But let me go back to basics. We think that it is essential that we have a good counterterrorism relationship with Pakistan. We believe it’s in both of our nations’ interests”. “No country has suffered more at the hands of militancy than Pakistan,” he declared adding that the new Bureau is going to be working closely with Pakistan.
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January - 4 
Thousands people gathered at Data Darbar in Lahore on January 4 in support of the former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer’s assassin Malik Mumtaz Qadri, and called for his release, reported Express Tribune. Supporters of various religious parties that form the Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Rasalat Mahaz (TNSM) st
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Thousands people gathered at Data Darbar in Lahore on January 4 in support of the former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer’s assassin Malik Mumtaz Qadri, and called for his release, reported Express Tribune. Supporters of various religious parties that form the Tahaffuz Namoos-i-Rasalat Mahaz (TNSM) staged protests at the Lahore Press Club, Minar-e-Pakistan and other places before gathering at the Darbar. The participants, mostly Barelvi Muslims, held up portraits of Qadri and chanted slogans in his honor. They raised their arms and pledged to follow Qadri “against every blasphemer”. One speaker, Allama Muhammad Tahir Tabassum, suggested that the Government auction off the gun with which Qadri shot the Governor, “like an auction of the bats or hockey sticks of famous athletes”. It was then announced that the Sunni Ittehad Council was willing to pay PKR 100 million for the “holy gun”. Allama Muhammad Nawaz Bashir Jalalisaid that Taseer’s killing was justified by Islamic injunctions as he had committed blasphemy. He said blasphemers deserved to have their tongues cut off. He accused the media of downplaying their protests. Later, a resolution was adopted at the end of the rally asking President Asif Zardari to declare clemency for Mumtaz Qadri and punishment for Asia Bibi, the Christian woman jailed for blasphemy whose release Taseer had campaigned for. The resolution also demanded the permanent closure of NATO supply lines through Pakistan; purging of all Pakistani air bases of United States (US) personnel; the arrest of the killers of Doctor Sarfaraz Naeemi and terrorists who bombed shrines; the removal of Ahmedis from Government posts; and that “a free, fair and impartial investigation into the memo scandal be ensured and those responsible be tried under treason charges”.
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January - 5 
a detained Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Karachi chief, who was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on January 5, 2012, confessed to his involvement in the blast at the house of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister that had claimed the life of his son. Police claimed to have a
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a detained Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Karachi chief, who was arrested by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on January 5, 2012, confessed to his involvement in the blast at the house of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister that had claimed the life of his son. Police claimed to have arrested four militants, including TTP Karachi chief Abdul Qayyum Mehsud, Muhammad Sharif, Habib Mehsud and Usman. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) CID Fayyaz Khan said the arrested TTP militants were trained in Waziristan and were involved in several high profile cases.
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January - 5 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants on January 5 killed 15 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to avenge, in the words of a TTP spokesman, the death of one of their ‘commanders’ in another tribal area at
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants on January 5 killed 15 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to avenge, in the words of a TTP spokesman, the death of one of their ‘commanders’ in another tribal area at the hands of Security Forces (SFs), reports Dawn. The bullet-ridden bodies thrown on a hill in Mir Ali sub-district were spotted by tribesmen in the morning. According to an unnamed security official, “We had been trying to get them freed and we maintained contacts with their captors. Until last night the indications were positive. God knows what happened afterwards.” TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told local media in Miranshah, “We have killed these personnel”. He said the killings were in retaliation for the death of Qari Kamran, an important ‘commander’ of TTP, who was killed along with 12 others on January 1 by SFs at Alamgir Killay in the Kermina area near Landikotal in Khyber Agency. "This is revenge for the killing of our comrades in Khyber by Pakistani forces. We will soon take revenge for other operations too," Ehsan added. The 15 personnel guarding the boundary between the FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been taken hostage on December 23, 2011 in a pre-dawn attack by TTP militants on their post in Mullazai area of Tank District (KP).
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January - 5 
TTP released 17 children, who mistakenly crossed the border into Afghanistan from Bajaur Agency, after three months of captivity, reports Daily Times. Bajaur administration official Islam Zeb said, “Today TTP has released 17 of them. They have been freed unconditionally. Some 8-10 are yet in their c
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TTP released 17 children, who mistakenly crossed the border into Afghanistan from Bajaur Agency, after three months of captivity, reports Daily Times. Bajaur administration official Islam Zeb said, “Today TTP has released 17 of them. They have been freed unconditionally. Some 8-10 are yet in their custody.” Zeb said the boys had been abducted by a militant group allied with TTP ‘commander’ Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, who led local insurgents but is believed to have fled to Afghanistan in 2010. More than 30 children were abducted from Bajaur Agency during Eid holidays on September 1, 2011.
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January - 6 
Malik Perveiz Rafique, a Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) had demanded that the Government do more to provide security to the minorities and their worship places. He had also appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to act against the clerics who were publically supporting Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the se
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Malik Perveiz Rafique, a Member of Punjab Assembly (MPA) had demanded that the Government do more to provide security to the minorities and their worship places. He had also appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to act against the clerics who were publically supporting Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed killer of former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer. Rafique regretted that Qadri was given ‘protocol’ in jail, while Aasia Bibi’s life was in the ‘barrack.’
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January - 6 
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif demanded an immediate end to military operations in Balochistan and said that an All Parties Conference will be convened soon in Islamabad to discuss the situation in the province and to find ways of resolving the crisis the seed of which had b
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Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif demanded an immediate end to military operations in Balochistan and said that an All Parties Conference will be convened soon in Islamabad to discuss the situation in the province and to find ways of resolving the crisis the seed of which had been sown by the regime of Pervez Musharraf, reported Dawn.
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January - 6 
The National Assembly was told on January 6 that about five million illegal immigrants were residing in different parts of the country due to local and regional disturbances, reported Daily Times. In a written statement, the Ministry of Interior told the National Assembly that out of the five millio
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The National Assembly was told on January 6 that about five million illegal immigrants were residing in different parts of the country due to local and regional disturbances, reported Daily Times. In a written statement, the Ministry of Interior told the National Assembly that out of the five million illegal immigrants, approximately two million were Bangladeshis, 2.5 million were Afghans, and 0.5 million other nationals, including Africans, Iranians, Iraqis and Myanmarese, who had been living in the country for more than three decades. The main reasons for these illegal immigrants was said to be partition of Pakistan in 1971, Cold War in Afghanistan in 1980’s, poor law and order situation in Iraq, and the availability of safe havens in Pakistan. The Interior Ministry said that the friendly policies and international obligations of Pakistan to accommodate Afghan refugees was another reason for illegal immigrants in the country.
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January - 6 
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Member of National Assembly (MNA) Afzal Nadeem Chan said that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI) were active in Balochistan while the civilian government had no say in the provincial affairs, reports Daily Times. Chan said that ever
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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Member of National Assembly (MNA) Afzal Nadeem Chan said that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI) were active in Balochistan while the civilian government had no say in the provincial affairs, reports Daily Times. Chan said that everyone knew it well that who was in control of the Balochistan affairs, but no one dare say it in open. “I am saying that ISI and MI are controlling the provinces and I am not afraid of paying a price for it,” Chan said.
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January - 6 
Planning and Development Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor on January 6 said that peace and order in the province could not be guaranteed if blasphemy against the Holy Prophet continued, reported Express Tribune. He said the faithful would not always wait for court orders in such cases. Ghafoor sugges
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Planning and Development Minister Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor on January 6 said that peace and order in the province could not be guaranteed if blasphemy against the Holy Prophet continued, reported Express Tribune. He said the faithful would not always wait for court orders in such cases. Ghafoor suggested that the minority members should wait until the court decided Aasia Bibi’s fate. He said, “If blasphemers continue, the society will produce another Ghazi Ilmuddin Shaheed.”
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January - 6 
the construction of 22 school buildings to replace structures destroyed by militants in Swat should be completed by the end of January, Shakeel Qadir Khan, Managing Director, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said, reports Central Asia online. The completion of the school buildings wou
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the construction of 22 school buildings to replace structures destroyed by militants in Swat should be completed by the end of January, Shakeel Qadir Khan, Managing Director, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said, reports Central Asia online. The completion of the school buildings would benefit thousands of Swat students whom militants have deprived of an education, Khan said. A total of 183 school buildings are being constructed across Swat, he said, with financial assistance provided by international donors. Most of those 183 buildings will be ready by the end of 2012, he added.
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January - 7 
The Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC) on January 7 warned of countrywide protests if the Government reopens supply routes for allied forces stationed in neighbouring Afghanistan, reports Daily Times. The DPC, which comprises the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (Fr
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The Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC) on January 7 warned of countrywide protests if the Government reopens supply routes for allied forces stationed in neighbouring Afghanistan, reports Daily Times. The DPC, which comprises the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (Frontal organisation of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan) and others, made the demand in a joint declaration adopted at a meeting between the top leadership in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by DPC Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sameeul Haq (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samee-ul-Haq, Gen (r) Hameed Gul, JI chief Syed Munwar Hassan, JuD chief Professor Saeed Ahmad, Pakistan Awami League chief Sheikh Rasheed, Pakistan Muslim League-Zia-ul-Haq leader Ijaz ul Haq, Abdul Rasheed Turabi, Jamiat Al-Hadith General Secretary Abtisam Elahi, Ghulam Mustafa Jadoon and Hafiz Abdur Rehman. Addressing a news conference, DPC leaders warned they would resist any move by the Government to reopen NATO supply routes. They added that a mass awareness campaign would be launched against the “terrorism” being “covertly sponsored” by India and the United States in the country. DPC leaders said that the meetings would be held in Rawalpindi on January 22, Multan on January 29 and Karachi on February 12.
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January - 8 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Culture Mian Iftikhar Hussain on January 8 said the US-Taliban talks could not produce any result without the participation of all stakeholders, reports The News. “Lasting peace cannot be restored in the region without taking all the stakeholders into
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Culture Mian Iftikhar Hussain on January 8 said the US-Taliban talks could not produce any result without the participation of all stakeholders, reports The News. “Lasting peace cannot be restored in the region without taking all the stakeholders into confidence. Any negotiated settlement of the ongoing conflict is impossible without overcoming the trust deficit among all the stakeholders, including the US, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Taliban,” he remarked. Mian Iftikhar said the Awami National Party-led provincial Government was ready for talks with militants if they laid down arms, accepted the writ of Government and abandoned sabotage activities.
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January - 8 
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on January 8 questioned the failure of the judiciary to take action against former President General Pervez Musharraf despite Benazir Bhutto holding the ex-military ruler responsible if she is killed, reports Indian Express. In an interview to Geo TV, the Presiden
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on January 8 questioned the failure of the judiciary to take action against former President General Pervez Musharraf despite Benazir Bhutto holding the ex-military ruler responsible if she is killed, reports Indian Express. In an interview to Geo TV, the President referred to an e-mail Benazir Bhutto sent in October 2007 to United States (US) journalist Mark Siegel, where she said that in case of her assassination Musharraf should be held responsible. "He (Pervez Musharraf) will be responsible; he is part of the FIR. Why is the judge not taking actions against him?” said President Zardari, adding, "I ask Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry what has happened to case? The courts are not under me." Zardari said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had submitted the challans with the court and asked why four judges had been changed during the course of hearing.
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January - 9 
According to the confessional statement of a naval officer, Mohammad Israrul Haq, who was sentenced to 15-year imprisonment on May 6, 2010, for planning a series of attacks on important naval installations, the National Defence University (NDU), and for taking hostages, the al Qaeda was planning to
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According to the confessional statement of a naval officer, Mohammad Israrul Haq, who was sentenced to 15-year imprisonment on May 6, 2010, for planning a series of attacks on important naval installations, the National Defence University (NDU), and for taking hostages, the al Qaeda was planning to hold hostage senior officers at the NDU and use them to negotiate the release of detained militants, besides attacking the Naval Headquarters and targeting other important buildings of the navy, reported Dawn on January 9 (today). In his statement, the accused admitted to meeting al Qaeda members in Makeen area of South Waziristan Agency and Angoor Adda, the border area of South Waziristan Agency and Afghanistan’s Paktika province, where they discussed the locations of important naval installations. He also said that Zafar Iqbal, a son of another former naval officer had introduced him to Azmy, a local al Qaeda leader who was living in Makeen. Azmy planned a series of attacks on naval offices but after he died in a drone attack, Sheikh Ahmed replaced him. The location for the meetings then shifted from Makeen to near Angoor Adda in Afghanistan.
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January - 9 
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, expressing concern over the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan, on January 9 observed that the number of missing persons in the province was increasing day by day, reported Daily Times. He said that uncertainty prevailed in th
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Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, expressing concern over the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan, on January 9 observed that the number of missing persons in the province was increasing day by day, reported Daily Times. He said that uncertainty prevailed in the province as bullet-riddled bodies were found every day. The Chief Justice observed that the personnel of the Law Enforcement Agencies were also being targeted in such incidents. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that if the authorities had closed their eyes over the situation, then the court would be compelled to interfere in the matter. The court also inquired about the arrest of those persons, who were attacking the Hazara community. The court, adjourning the hearing of the case, sought a comprehensive report from the Balochistan Chief Secretary about worsening law and order until January 16. According to an earlier report submitted by the chief secretary, 181 bodies were recovered in three years.
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January - 9 
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on January 9 voiced concern at the reports of a number of journalists facing threats in recent weeks and asked the authorities to ensure that threats to journalists end, reports Daily Times. A statement issued in Lahore District by HRCP said, “The HRCP
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The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on January 9 voiced concern at the reports of a number of journalists facing threats in recent weeks and asked the authorities to ensure that threats to journalists end, reports Daily Times. A statement issued in Lahore District by HRCP said, “The HRCP is alarmed at reports of threats received by journalists on account of their work. While it is not uncommon for journalists in Pakistan to live under a constant cloud of intimidation and violence, the perceptible increase in threats is manifested by over a dozen journalists killed in 2011, while many others have been forced to go into hiding. Many have exercised self-censorship for the sake of safety and others have suffered for airing views that are unpopular in some quarters. A number of journalists have recently gone public about the threats they have received from ‘anonymous callers’. They have also mentioned cell phone numbers of the callers but little has been done to identify or prosecute these people. A Government committed to media freedom must neither remain a spectator in the circumstances nor wait to be implored into action.” Further the report stated, “HRCP wants to remind the authorities that for two years now Pakistan has held the dubious distinction of being one of the deadliest countries for journalists. HRCP reiterates that those making threats and perpetrating violence against journalists are encouraged by the fact that out of over 70 journalists killed in Pakistan in the last decade, the perpetrators have been brought to justice in only one case.” HRCP urged all state institutions to acknowledge the dangers faced by the journalists, identify and prosecute those threatening media persons on account of their work and ensure that journalism does not remain a dangerous profession in Pakistan.
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January - 10 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on January 10 said that students are future of the country and any nation can’t compromise on its future, reports Dawn. The Chief Minister said that education was an effective weapon for defeating extremism. Investment in education is a g
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on January 10 said that students are future of the country and any nation can’t compromise on its future, reports Dawn. The Chief Minister said that education was an effective weapon for defeating extremism. Investment in education is a guarantee of stable and brighter future, he told a function in Peshawar to give away medals and cash awards to position holders of all eight boards of the province in SSC and HSSC examinations.
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January - 10 
KP Minister of Higher Education Qazi Muhammad Asad said that out of USD 200 billion, only one percent was allocated to the education sector per annum. Speaking at a parents’ day ceremony at Government High School Haripur, the minister said an educated society finds the route towards advancement, and
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KP Minister of Higher Education Qazi Muhammad Asad said that out of USD 200 billion, only one percent was allocated to the education sector per annum. Speaking at a parents’ day ceremony at Government High School Haripur, the minister said an educated society finds the route towards advancement, and ensures a brighter future for its coming generations, reports Daily Times. Asad granted PKR one million and approved extending higher secondary block of the school.
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January - 10 
Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on January 10 said that there was no proposal under consideration to link transfer of civil nuclear technology with the resumption of NATO supply, reports Daily Times. Talking to reporters after briefing the Parliamentary Committee on National Security
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on January 10 said that there was no proposal under consideration to link transfer of civil nuclear technology with the resumption of NATO supply, reports Daily Times. Talking to reporters after briefing the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) meeting, she said that Pakistan and the United States need each other and their relations were not limited to economic ties. FM said that the PCNS has adopted most of the recommendations of the Envoy’s Conference recently held in the federal capital. “The relations with the US and the NATO will be reviewed in accordance with the mandate given by the committee,” she added.
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January - 11 
a grand Jirga (council) of Utmankhel Qaumi Movement (UQM) demanded complete educational facilities for girls at Utmankhel Tapa in Bajaur, Malakand and Mohmand agencies. According to a press release, the Jirga was held at the remote Khanori village in Malakand Agency on January 10 and was attended b
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a grand Jirga (council) of Utmankhel Qaumi Movement (UQM) demanded complete educational facilities for girls at Utmankhel Tapa in Bajaur, Malakand and Mohmand agencies. According to a press release, the Jirga was held at the remote Khanori village in Malakand Agency on January 10 and was attended by 200 elders of Utmankhel Tribe from Selai Patay, Badama, Dherai, Seend Ghara and Kot Manzaray Baba villages.
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January - 11 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on January 11 constituted a task force for early implementation of matters regarding Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package (AHBP). The Interior Secretary will head the task force, while additional secretaries of concerned ministries would be its members. According to I
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Interior Minister Rehman Malik on January 11 constituted a task force for early implementation of matters regarding Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package (AHBP). The Interior Secretary will head the task force, while additional secretaries of concerned ministries would be its members. According to Interior Ministry, keeping in view the complaints from various quarters from Balochistan, a close monitoring system needed to be evolved to check day-to-day progress of the implementation by concerned ministries and departments. The Minister said that it was decided that the concerned ministries would prepare their suggestions to evolve a system for a more expeditious and result-oriented mechanism for implementation of the AHBP. Rehman Malik said that the Coast Guards and Frontier Constabulary (FCB) would not establish any check post on RCD or Bolan Highway. The minister said that the provincial police chief had been directed to constitute a force to protect Federal Areas in the province. A Special Police Force for patrolling on highways would also be established. It was also decided that all the ministries would release annual.
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January - 11 
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) Senator Mian Raza Rabbani said on January 11 that the committee had proposed 35 consensus recommendations to review relations with the United States (US), NATO and the country’s foreign policy, reported Daily Times. “The committ
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The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) Senator Mian Raza Rabbani said on January 11 that the committee had proposed 35 consensus recommendations to review relations with the United States (US), NATO and the country’s foreign policy, reported Daily Times. “The committee has proposed 16 main and 19 sub-recommendations to review overall terms of engagements with US, NATO, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the country’s foreign policy,” Rabbani said. These recommendations would now be sent to the speaker of the National Assembly, while another copy would be dispatched to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
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January - 11 
The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) is likely to hand over to the Government on January 11 (today) its report comprising recommendations on new terms of engagement with the United States (US) and NATO and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the war on terror and bro
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The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) is likely to hand over to the Government on January 11 (today) its report comprising recommendations on new terms of engagement with the United States (US) and NATO and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the war on terror and broad outlines of the country’s relations with Afghanistan and India, reported Dawn. The 17-member committee was tasked with formulating new terms of engagement with the US and NATO after the November 26, 2011 attack in the Mohmand Agency that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who represented the Foreign Office during the committee’s deliberations, told reporters that the Government was seeking the Parliament’s wisdom and would reframe its foreign policy in accordance with the mandate given by the PCNS. PCNS chairman Senator Raza Rabbani said, “We will give a broad outline for terms of engagement with the US and other countries, without going into details which was the prerogative of the Foreign Office and the Government.”
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January - 11 
the Pentagon said the US military Chief General Martin Dempsey had telephoned General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani but the United States neither sought nor received any assurance from the Pakistani military that it would not stage a coup. At a Pentagon briefing, US defence officials also said a conflict bet
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the Pentagon said the US military Chief General Martin Dempsey had telephoned General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani but the United States neither sought nor received any assurance from the Pakistani military that it would not stage a coup. At a Pentagon briefing, US defence officials also said a conflict between civilian and military establishments would not necessarily affect Pakistan’s ties with the United States.
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January - 11 
The United States (US) Embassy in Pakistan said on January 11 that it gave money to Sunni Ittehada Council (SIC), a Pakistani Muslim group that organized anti-Taliban rallies, but which later demonstrated in support of an extremist who killed a leading liberal politician, reported The Times of India
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The United States (US) Embassy in Pakistan said on January 11 that it gave money to Sunni Ittehada Council (SIC), a Pakistani Muslim group that organized anti-Taliban rallies, but which later demonstrated in support of an extremist who killed a leading liberal politician, reported The Times of India. The grant highlights the difficulties facing Washington as it seeks partners to support religious moderation in Pakistan. The US Government website (www.usaspending.gov) shows that the group received USD 36,607 from Washington in 2009. A US diplomat, on the condition of anonymity, said that the embassy had given money to the group to organize the rallies, but that it had since changed direction and leadership. He said it was a one-off grant, and wouldn't be repeated. The SIC was formed in 2009 to counter extremism. It groups politicians and clerics from Pakistan's traditionalist Barelvi Muslim movement, often referred to as theological moderates in the Pakistani context. The American money was used to organize nationwide rallies against militants and suicide bombings, the embassy official said. The demonstrations received widespread media coverage, and were some of the first against extremism in the country. In 2011, however, the council led demonstrations in support of the Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab who was killed on January 4, 2011, for his criticism of blasphemy laws used to persecute religious minorities. However, two leading members of the council denied receiving any American funds. "This propaganda is being unleashed against us because we are strongly opposed to Western democracy and American policies in the region and in the world," said Sahibzada Fazal Karim, the head of the council, adding, "We are against extremism, but we support Qadri because he did a right thing".
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January - 11 
the United States (US) State Department said that the conflict between the civil and military establishments in Pakistan was the country’s internal matter and it would not like to comment on it. At a briefing in Washington, a State Department official also said the US was not playing any role in rem
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the United States (US) State Department said that the conflict between the civil and military establishments in Pakistan was the country’s internal matter and it would not like to comment on it. At a briefing in Washington, a State Department official also said the US was not playing any role in removing differences between the civilian Government and the Pakistani military. The official, however, said that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was meeting Pakistan’s new envoy to Washington, Sherry Rehman, on January 11 evening and would reiterate the US desire to rebuild its relationship with the country.
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January - 11 
United States (US) Consul General William Martin announced USD 10 million in aid on for rehabilitation and provision of educational and health facilities in the Duregi area of Lasbela District. Martin announced the multi-million dollar aid package on behalf of the US Government, while visiting a gir
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United States (US) Consul General William Martin announced USD 10 million in aid on for rehabilitation and provision of educational and health facilities in the Duregi area of Lasbela District. Martin announced the multi-million dollar aid package on behalf of the US Government, while visiting a girl’s primary school in Duregi. “I am pleased to announce USD 10 million aid on behalf of US for the rehabilitation and provision of providing facilities to schools. I will also propose development projects for the area, specifically in the water sector,” said Martin.
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January - 12 
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdaus Ashiq Awan said on January 12 that according to the report of commission investigating the murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad, his killers could not be traced, but the Police and Law Enforcement Agencies have been directed to continue invest
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Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdaus Ashiq Awan said on January 12 that according to the report of commission investigating the murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad, his killers could not be traced, but the Police and Law Enforcement Agencies have been directed to continue investigating the case, reported Daily Times. Giving further details, information minister said that the commission has advised that the widow of Saleem Shahzad should be provided PKR 3 million, a teaching job in a Government institution near her residence, and free education to his children up to graduation level. Talking to media outside the Parliament House, Awan said the report will be made public today and would be uploaded on website of the Ministry of Information by the afternoon of January 13. The commission initiated its proceedings from June 27, 2011, till January 9, 2012, and held around 23 meetings besides probing on certain aspects in the course of inquiry. The commission was constituted by the Government on June 21, 2011, to inquire into the March 2, 2011, murder of journalist Saleem Shahzad.
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January - 12 
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said on January 12 that he is ready to talk to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for country’s security, peace and stability, reported Daily Times. He said this while talking to the head of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Grand Allian
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Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said on January 12 that he is ready to talk to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for country’s security, peace and stability, reported Daily Times. He said this while talking to the head of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Grand Alliance Malik Khan Marjan over telephone. “The forces inimical to Pakistan wanted to set us against each other, hence, I appeal to all Taliban leaders, youth and students to see through the conspiracies of the country’s enemies and take recourse of dialogue instead of resorting to violence. I ask them to hold consultations with the tribal elders, dignitaries and other God-fearing people,” he said, adding, “We want to bring a system in the country that ushers stability. The army should be in the barracks instead of being present in the tribal areas. The local Police, forces and public of the tribal areas should be responsible for peace and security in their areas. They should be autonomous in conducting their affairs.” Agreeing with the views of the MQM chief, Marjan said, “We believe in dialogue.” “Negotiations should be held with the tribal elders instead of using power against youth in the tribal areas and they need better counseling. The enemy is using us and causing damage by setting us against each other,” Marjan added. Further, the MQM chief said that the tribal people living in different parts of the world were calling MQM International Secretariat. They welcomed the demand for the creation of the Qabailistan province. Marjan thanked Hussain for expression solidarity with the people of FATA and for raising voice for the Qabailistan province on behalf of all the tribes living in FATA.
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January - 12 
the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Khyber Agency have given a two-week deadline to the Government to meet their demands. Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club in Peshawar, the tribesmen led by Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) FATA Chapter leader Mohammad Iqbal Afridi said that s
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the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Khyber Agency have given a two-week deadline to the Government to meet their demands. Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club in Peshawar, the tribesmen led by Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) FATA Chapter leader Mohammad Iqbal Afridi said that supply of food items to the IDPs had been suspended for the past nine months and despite their repeated appeals no attention had been paid to the issue so far.
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January - 12 
the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) asked the Afghan refugees residing in four camps of Lower Dir District to prepare for voluntarily repatriation to their home country by end of this year, reported Dawn. In this regard, an office of the UNHCR called Centre for Voluntary Repatr
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the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) asked the Afghan refugees residing in four camps of Lower Dir District to prepare for voluntarily repatriation to their home country by end of this year, reported Dawn. In this regard, an office of the UNHCR called Centre for Voluntary Repatriation (VCR) was inaugurated at Khiaima area of Timergara in Lower Dir. The function was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa UNHCR chief Ahmad, Commissioner Afghan refugees Zaheerul Islam, Lower Dir DCO Mahmood Aslam and Afghan Commissionerate District Administrator Biradar Jan besides elders of refugees and local notables. Speaking on the occasion, the UNHCR provincial head praised Pakistan and Sudan for hosting a large number of Afghan refugees for over 30 years. He said that the refugees had to complete repatriation to their homeland by December 2012. “After the given time the Government of Pakistan will not be responsible for them,” Ahmad said, asking the refugees to ensure preparation for their voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan in an honorable way, informing that townships had been set up in nine provinces of Afghanistan for the refugees’ settlement.
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January - 13 
the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Quetta Cantonment, strongly refuted reports about a military operation in Balochistan. An ISPR spokesman said that news stories published or aired by a section of media about a military operation in Balochistan were totally baseless and a false propaganda
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the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Quetta Cantonment, strongly refuted reports about a military operation in Balochistan. An ISPR spokesman said that news stories published or aired by a section of media about a military operation in Balochistan were totally baseless and a false propaganda against the Pakistan Army. “No military operation is being carried out in any part of Balochistan, including Dera Bugti,” he said, adding some anti-state elements had launched a false propaganda against the armed forces to meet their nefarious designs. The official also denied the reports which claimed that Paramilitary Forces had demolished houses of people of Bugti tribe in Dera Bugti District or other areas.
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January - 13 
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that the terrorist attacks against them will boost the Police and SFs’ resolve to bring about peace instead of affecting it, reports Dawn. ‘We’ll continue our struggle to eliminate the menace of terrorism and not to accept any pressure fr
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Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that the terrorist attacks against them will boost the Police and SFs’ resolve to bring about peace instead of affecting it, reports Dawn. ‘We’ll continue our struggle to eliminate the menace of terrorism and not to accept any pressure from anti-state elements,’ he told reporters after offering two policemen’s funeral prayers inside the Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines. The Chief Minister said the Government and people of the province won’t overlook sacrifices of Police and security personnel, who laid down their lives while confronting terrorists.
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January - 14 
Chief of the rightwing Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JD) Hafiz Mohammad Saeed on January 14 expressed support for the contacts between the United States (US) and Afghan Taliban and urged the Government to open a dialogue with Pakistani militants, reports Dawn. Addressing a news conference at Karachi Press Club i
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Chief of the rightwing Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JD) Hafiz Mohammad Saeed on January 14 expressed support for the contacts between the United States (US) and Afghan Taliban and urged the Government to open a dialogue with Pakistani militants, reports Dawn. Addressing a news conference at Karachi Press Club in Karachi, he said that by initiating a reconciliation process for Afghanistan the US had “in effect accepted its mistake” of invading the country.
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January - 14 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on January 14 that he was once again inviting militants for talks, but they would have to lay down their arms and renounce violence first, reported Express Tribune. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi District of Punjab province, Malik said that suicide attacks ha
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Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on January 14 that he was once again inviting militants for talks, but they would have to lay down their arms and renounce violence first, reported Express Tribune. Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi District of Punjab province, Malik said that suicide attacks had gone down because of the help given by religious scholars and the action taken against those who were planning the attacks.
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January - 15 
the TTP said Hakimullah was still alive, but their denial was far less assertive than one issued in 2010 after media reports said he had been killed in a drone strike. “There is no truth in reports about his death. However, he is a human being and can die any time. He is a holy warrior and we will w
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the TTP said Hakimullah was still alive, but their denial was far less assertive than one issued in 2010 after media reports said he had been killed in a drone strike. “There is no truth in reports about his death. However, he is a human being and can die any time. He is a holy warrior and we will wish him martyrdom,” TTP ‘spokesman’ Ehsanullah Ehsan said. “We will continue jihad if Hakimullah is alive or dead. There are so many lions in this jungle and one lion will replace another one to continue this noble mission.”
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January - 15 
The United States (US) on January 15 urged Pakistan to “really lead and conduct a dialogue that takes the Balochistan issue forward”, reported Dawn. “The US is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Balochistan, especially targeted killings, disappearances and other human rights abuses,” sai
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The United States (US) on January 15 urged Pakistan to “really lead and conduct a dialogue that takes the Balochistan issue forward”, reported Dawn. “The US is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Balochistan, especially targeted killings, disappearances and other human rights abuses,” said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland. “This is a complex issue. We strongly believe that the best way forward is for all the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue,” adding, “And we also urge them to really lead and conduct a dialogue that takes this issue forward.”
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January - 16 
As many as 14,362 people, including 150 women, have “disappeared” in Balochistan since 2001 and 370 mutilated bodies have been found in different parts of the province so far, The News reported quoting Qadeer Baloch, Vice President of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons on January 16. Sitting in a camp
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As many as 14,362 people, including 150 women, have “disappeared” in Balochistan since 2001 and 370 mutilated bodies have been found in different parts of the province so far, The News reported quoting Qadeer Baloch, Vice President of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons on January 16. Sitting in a camp in front of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, since January 1, 2012 to protest against the “disappearances” of Baloch people, Qadeer said about 250,000 people from Marri and Dera Bugti areas had migrated to other provinces and even to Afghanistan since their lives were in danger. The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons has so far organised three protest camps outside the KPC, two in Islamabad and several in Quetta. “The precarious situation in Balochistan can be gauged from the fact that along with adults, 169 children are also missing,” Qadeer said. Speaking at a News Conference on International Human Rights Day at the KPC, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Chairperson Zohra Yusuf had said the establishment saw the problem of Balochistan as a “security issue” but it would not be fair to say it wanted to get rid of Balochistan. However, she went on to say that the Government in Balochistan was ineffective. HRCP figures about “missing” people were conservative as compared to claims made by Baloch nationalists. Yusuf said Baloch nationalists claimed that 5,000-7,000 people were “missing” in Balochistan, but HRCP figures were more conservative. “It is a matter of grave alarm that 107 new cases of enforced disappearance have been reported in Balochistan in 2011, and the ‘missing persons’ are increasingly turning up dead,” she added.
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January - 16 
Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the United States talks with the Afghan Taliban won’t be result-oriented unless Pakistan and Afghanistan are included in the quest for peace. He said for lasting peace in the region the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan would require concerted efforts to ev
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Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the United States talks with the Afghan Taliban won’t be result-oriented unless Pakistan and Afghanistan are included in the quest for peace. He said for lasting peace in the region the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan would require concerted efforts to evolve a common peace strategy. He urged the three stake-holders of the Afghan imbroglio to constitute a joint high-powered dialogue committee to hold effective and consequential talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan. He said the Awami National Party-led Government in the province was ready to initiate peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
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January - 16 
Inspector General of Frontier Corps Major General Nadir Zeb on January 16 rejected having any type of contact with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and said that Security Forces (SFs) were determined to restore peace in the tribal areas, reports Dawn. Addressing the passing-out parade of the 16th ba
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Inspector General of Frontier Corps Major General Nadir Zeb on January 16 rejected having any type of contact with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and said that Security Forces (SFs) were determined to restore peace in the tribal areas, reports Dawn. Addressing the passing-out parade of the 16th batch of 155 new FC recruits at Landi Kotal Army camp, he said that SFs would require more time to uproot the menace of terrorism in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He said that they would utilise their full energies to achieve the desired goals. “It will take time to restore peace in tribal areas, like it took some time in Malakand and Dir”, he said. He added that restoration of peace was the main objective of SFs.
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January - 16 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar on January 16 said that law and order situation in the province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is far better than that of years ago, reports Dawn.
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar on January 16 said that law and order situation in the province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is far better than that of years ago, reports Dawn.
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January - 16 
Shahzain Bugti, a grandson of slain Akbar clan chieftain and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Nawab Akbar Bugti, on January 16 announced head money for former Army dictator and President Pervez Musharraf, reports Indian Express. Akbar Bugti, along with his comrades, was killed on his way from t
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Shahzain Bugti, a grandson of slain Akbar clan chieftain and former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Nawab Akbar Bugti, on January 16 announced head money for former Army dictator and President Pervez Musharraf, reports Indian Express. Akbar Bugti, along with his comrades, was killed on his way from the Bugti Hills to Marri Hills in a military operation in Kohlu District of Balochistan on August 26, 2006. The operation was allegedly ordered by Musharraf. "We will give PKR 1 million in cash and a bungalow worth 100 million rupees to anybody who kills Musharraf. And we'll also provide him full security," Shahzain Bugti said. "The gallows are ready for Musharraf. There will be serious consequences, if the government does not arrest him upon his arrival," he warned. He alleged that Musharraf was responsible for the killing of hundreds of people, adding: "He not only killed my grandfather, but also hundreds of innocent people during the Lal Mosque operation in Islamabad. Ulema have also declared him wajibul qatal (liable to be killed)."
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January - 18 
Intelligence agencies and Security Forces (SFs) on January 18 denied the custody of Mohammad Hasnain, a missing official of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Communication and Works (C&W) Department, reports Dawn. Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Iqbal Mohmand informed a Peshawar High Court bench consisting of J
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Intelligence agencies and Security Forces (SFs) on January 18 denied the custody of Mohammad Hasnain, a missing official of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Communication and Works (C&W) Department, reports Dawn. Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Iqbal Mohmand informed a Peshawar High Court bench consisting of Justice Mian Fasihul Mulk and Justice Azmatullah Malik that he had filed replies on behalf of the Interior and Defence Ministries and intelligence agencies that they had stated that Mohammad Hasnain, a road inspector in the C&W department, hadn’t been in their custody. Ghulam Nabi Khan, counsel for the missing official, accused intelligence agencies and SFs of taking away many people and said the number of missing persons was the highest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The bench was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Mohammad Hussain, father of Hasnain. The petitioner claimed that his son was taken into custody by officials of an intelligence agency from a Khyber Bazaar hotel in Peshawar on January 24, 2011.
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January - 18 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on January 18 informed the Upper House that former President Pervez Musharraf would be arrested upon his return to Pakistan in the September 2006 Akbar Bugti murder case, reports Daily Times. The Minister said the former President was also a proclaimed offender in the
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Interior Minister Rehman Malik on January 18 informed the Upper House that former President Pervez Musharraf would be arrested upon his return to Pakistan in the September 2006 Akbar Bugti murder case, reports Daily Times. The Minister said the former President was also a proclaimed offender in the November 27, 2007 Benazir Bhutto murder case, and that the Government was in contact with British authorities for his extradition. He told senators that the Government would take action against the former general in accordance with the law. However, he told the House that a complainant was needed to make the Federal Government register a case against Musharraf under Article 6 of the Constitution. The Interior Minister asked the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to come forward as it was affected the most by the October 12, 1999, coup. He urged the party to lodge a complaint with the Federal Government so as to proceed further in this regard. Senators Zahid Khan and Abdur Rahim Mandokhel said the generals and politicians who supported Musharraf in the coup should also be tried under Article 6.
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January - 18 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on January 18 claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior tribal reporter, Mukarram Khan Atif, correspondent for Washington-based Pashto language Deewa Radio and a reporter for a private TV channel, in Shabqadar area of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on January 18 claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior tribal reporter, Mukarram Khan Atif, correspondent for Washington-based Pashto language Deewa Radio and a reporter for a private TV channel, in Shabqadar area of Charsadda District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 17 reports IRNA. TTP's spokesmen Ehsanullah Ehsan and Mukarram Khurasani told reporters that the group killed Mukarram Khan Atif because he 'broadcast anti-Taliban' reports and they said they will kill other American radio journalists. A tribal journalist from North Waziristan Agency (FATA), Rasool Dawar, says that Ehsanullah Ehsan phoned him to 'accept responsibility' for killing Mukarram Khan. f
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January - 19 
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar warned Washington against pushing Islamabad to go after terrorist groups or bringing them to the Afghan peace process. “Now that the re-evaluation process is underway as we speak, so till the time that that re-evaluation process is not completed, we cannot start th
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Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar warned Washington against pushing Islamabad to go after terrorist groups or bringing them to the Afghan peace process. “Now that the re-evaluation process is underway as we speak, so till the time that that re-evaluation process is not completed, we cannot start the reengagement,” Minister Khar said in an interview with Reuters. Yet Khar struck a positive note stressing the long alliance was vital for the two countries. “I think this will also give us the ability, if we play it right, to strengthen the partnership and to make it much, much more effective,” she said. “Let me categorically say that we consider our relations and our relationship with the US to be an extremely important one.” Khar said proposals for the tenor and rules for relations with the US could be out within days.
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January - 19 
Frontier Corps (FC) Inspector General (IG) Ubaidullah Khan Khattak said that incidents of abductions in Balochistan had increased at an alarming rate and had become a source of generating funds for militants, reports Daily Times. Addressing reporters at FC headquarters in Quetta, Ubaidullah Khan sai
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Frontier Corps (FC) Inspector General (IG) Ubaidullah Khan Khattak said that incidents of abductions in Balochistan had increased at an alarming rate and had become a source of generating funds for militants, reports Daily Times. Addressing reporters at FC headquarters in Quetta, Ubaidullah Khan said that Balochistan witnessed a decline in attacks on economic installations like rocket attacks and bomb blasts particularly targeting gas pipelines, power pylons, and railway tracks. However, incidents of abductions and small arms attacks had increased. He said the militants were using kidnappings as source of generating funds. He said that they target foreigners with the intention to be paid ransom money in dollars. Responding to a query about the links between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch militants, he said there is no link between the two. He said foreign elements were involved in destabilising Balochistan in order to advance their vested interests using local people as tools. “The foreign groups are providing financial support, equipment, training and advice to militants in Balochistan. The foreign interest is comparatively increasing in this particular region,” he said without mentioning name of any country.
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January - 19 
Pakistan expects to reopen supply routes to NATO forces in Afghanistan, halted after a NATO cross-border air attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November 26, 2011, but will impose tariffs, a senior security official under the condition of anonymity told Reuters on January 19. The official said th
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Pakistan expects to reopen supply routes to NATO forces in Afghanistan, halted after a NATO cross-border air attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November 26, 2011, but will impose tariffs, a senior security official under the condition of anonymity told Reuters on January 19. The official said the fees were designed to both express continued anger over the November 26 attack and raise funds for the state to fight homegrown Taliban. “The tariffs will cover everything from the port to security to roads,” the official told Reuters. No date was given for reopening the supply routes. The trade ministry was working out details of the tariffs, the official said.
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January - 19 
Peace talks between Government and al Qaeda-linked Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants have made little progress, a Senior Security Official told Reuters on January 19, reports Daily Times. The official said the group, seen as the biggest security threat to the strategic United States (US) al
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Peace talks between Government and al Qaeda-linked Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants have made little progress, a Senior Security Official told Reuters on January 19, reports Daily Times. The official said the group, seen as the biggest security threat to the strategic United States (US) ally, had flatly rejected a demand that it works through tribal elders to reach a deal whereby fighters approach authorities and lay down their arms. “They felt it would be humiliating,” the official said.
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January - 19 
Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan said on January 19 that the cases of missing persons was a major issue of fundamental rights and because of their efforts around 700 such persons had been shifted to internment centres so far, reports Dawn. The Chief Justice said that they were h
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Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan said on January 19 that the cases of missing persons was a major issue of fundamental rights and because of their efforts around 700 such persons had been shifted to internment centres so far, reports Dawn. The Chief Justice said that they were here to defend the Constitution of Pakistan and fundamental rights of individuals and would not allow any of the state agencies to violate those rights. The chief justice said that the high court had drafted a law to set up mobile courts in the province and the same would now be submitted to the provincial Government for legislation. The establishment of mobile courts is aimed at providing speedy justice to people at their doorstep.
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January - 19 
The Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JuD) on January 19 said that the cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan will attend its Difa-e-Pakistan (Defence of Pakistan) rally to be held in Multan District of Punjab Province on January 29, 2012, reported Indian Express. JuD leaders said the Difa-e-Pakistan gathering would
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The Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JuD) on January 19 said that the cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan will attend its Difa-e-Pakistan (Defence of Pakistan) rally to be held in Multan District of Punjab Province on January 29, 2012, reported Indian Express. JuD leaders said the Difa-e-Pakistan gathering would also be attended by Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) chief Munawar Hassan and Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and leaders of other religious and political parties. There was no word from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party on the development. Khan has not attended other ‘Defence of Pakistan’ meetings organised by the JuD but a message from him was read out at a rally held in Lahore on December 18, 2011. The movement was launched shortly after a cross-border November 26, 2011, NATO air strike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. During rallies and meetings organised as part of the movement, leaders of the JuD and other extremist groups have mainly targeted the United States (US) and India.
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January - 19 
the militant outfit Muhajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) is expected to come into a coalition with any political or religious party in the next general election. Chairman MQM-H Afaq Ahmed stated this while talking to journalists after a meeting with former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza.
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the militant outfit Muhajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) is expected to come into a coalition with any political or religious party in the next general election. Chairman MQM-H Afaq Ahmed stated this while talking to journalists after a meeting with former Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza.
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January - 19 
the Pentagon says the US is paying six times more than before to send war supplies to troops in Afghanistan through alternate routes since Pakistan’s punitive decision in November, 2011 to close border crossings to NATO convoys. Pentagon figures provided to the Associated Press show it now costs abo
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the Pentagon says the US is paying six times more than before to send war supplies to troops in Afghanistan through alternate routes since Pakistan’s punitive decision in November, 2011 to close border crossings to NATO convoys. Pentagon figures provided to the Associated Press show it now costs about USD 104 million per month to move the supplies through a longer northern route, USD 87 million more a month than when the cargo moved through Pakistan.
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January - 19 
US President Barack Obama wants the United States and Pakistan to continue to work together for achieving their common goals of defeating terrorism and building a stable and peaceful Pakistan, says the White House, reports Dawn. A brief statement, issued by the White House on January 19, said Obama
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US President Barack Obama wants the United States and Pakistan to continue to work together for achieving their common goals of defeating terrorism and building a stable and peaceful Pakistan, says the White House, reports Dawn. A brief statement, issued by the White House on January 19, said Obama conveyed this message to Pakistan’s new Ambassador Sherry Rehman. “The president welcomed Ambassador Rehman to Washington and expressed his desire that our two governments continue to work closely together towards our shared objectives of defeating al Qaeda, combating violent extremism, and supporting a stable and peaceful Pakistan, Afghanistan and wider region,’ the statement said.
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January - 21 
Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, expressing concern over the worsening law and order situation in the province, on January 21 said that it was the responsibility of the provincial Government to improve security to the satisfaction of the people, reports Daily Times. Talking to reporter
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Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, expressing concern over the worsening law and order situation in the province, on January 21 said that it was the responsibility of the provincial Government to improve security to the satisfaction of the people, reports Daily Times. Talking to reporters after the 10th Convocation of the Balochistan University, the Governor said, “I have been saying this from the very first day that law and order is very poor in the province. It makes no difference whether I am satisfied or not, but this question should be asked from the people.” He said: “As a governor I believe that the elected members of provincial parliament are responsible for this worsening law and order situation since they are not playing a positive role in retaining durable peace. Merely expressing helplessness or inability is not a solution,” Magsi added. He said that the sincerity and honesty of the provincial ministers could be judged by the fact that only one out of over 50 ministers turned up to attend the convocation of this premier institution of Balochistan. It would be appropriate if the Chief Minister had been asked the relevant questions about the performance of his cabinet members and interest of his cabinet colleagues on this subject, he added further.
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January - 21 
Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on January 21 warned that he would not tolerate any violation of the orders of the apex court, reports The Express Tribune. “Any violation of the orders of Supreme Court would be taken seriously and would entail strict action.” Taking notice of th
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Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on January 21 warned that he would not tolerate any violation of the orders of the apex court, reports The Express Tribune. “Any violation of the orders of Supreme Court would be taken seriously and would entail strict action.” Taking notice of the killings of lawyers and other citizens in Sindh, CJ Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry assured the people of Karachi and Sindh that the judiciary would not leave them alone and would monitor the actions of the State apparatus. Addressing members of the bar and bench after administering oath to the newly elected office bearers of the Karachi Bar Association here on Saturday, the Chief Justice especially referred to the target killing of lawyers in Karachi and said this was “really very frustrating.” He asked the chief justice of the Sindh High Court to summon the Chief Secretary, Sindh Inspector General (IG), Rangers Director General (DG) and other officials in his chambers in the presence of members of the bar and look into the issue.
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January - 21 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on January 21 released a video showing them killing 15 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel who were abducted in a raid on December 23 in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Dawn. 15 soldiers stood blindfolded, handcuffed to each other on a barren hil
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on January 21 released a video showing them killing 15 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel who were abducted in a raid on December 23 in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Dawn. 15 soldiers stood blindfolded, handcuffed to each other on a barren hilltop as one of their bearded TTP captors held an AK-47 rifle and spoke with fury about revenge. TTP militants on January 5 killed 15 FC personnel in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan Agency in FATA. 15 personnel guarding the boundary between the FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been taken hostage on December 23, 2011 in a pre-dawn attack by TTP militants on their post in Mullazai area of Tank District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Now they have released a video as a warning to the Army. “Twelve of our comrades were besieged and mercilessly martyred in the Khyber Agency (area),” said the militant. “Our pious women were also targeted. To avenge those comrades, we will kill these men. We warn the government of Pakistan that if the killing of our friends is not halted, this will be the fate of you all.”
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January - 22 
a donors’ conference will be held next month to raise the required USD 200 million funds for quick rehabilitation of internally displaced persons of FATA. A handout issued here on January 22 said that during a presentation on FATA Disaster Management Authority, held at Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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a donors’ conference will be held next month to raise the required USD 200 million funds for quick rehabilitation of internally displaced persons of FATA. A handout issued here on January 22 said that during a presentation on FATA Disaster Management Authority, held at Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar was told that so far 145,338 displaced families out of total 298,715 had been sent back to their permanent dwellings. The whole process cost PKR 7391.260 million including onetime cash grant of PKR 25,000 per family and PKR 15,000 for provision of six-month ration to each returning household. The repatriated families belonged to Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Kurram and South Waziristan agencies.
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January - 22 
The leaders of the Pakistan Defense Council (PDC), comprising of 44 politico-religious parties of the country gathered at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi on January 22 in a rally against what they called the anti-Pakistan forces, reported Express Tribune. “Al-Jihad, Al-Jihad” (the holy war, the holy war)
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The leaders of the Pakistan Defense Council (PDC), comprising of 44 politico-religious parties of the country gathered at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi on January 22 in a rally against what they called the anti-Pakistan forces, reported Express Tribune. “Al-Jihad, Al-Jihad” (the holy war, the holy war) slogans rose from the crowd in response to every fiery claim by orators who warned against the ‘grand conspiracies’ being hatched by the ‘enemies of Pakistan’. A majority of the participants in the rally were holding Jama’at-ud Dawa (JuD) flags, led by Hafiz Saeed, whose 17-minute speech, consistently referring to Indian-American aggression against Muslims, resonated with the crowd of over 50,000. “The current standoff between state institutions is the result of a sin that we committed 10 years ago by allowing our territory to be used against Afghan Muslims, and until we repent for that grave mistake, we will never be able to overcome these issues,” Saeed said, adding, “This is America’s war and we only want to fight Pakistan’s war.” The PDC urged the Government to get rid of the US war on terrorism. The leaders demanded Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to make a timeframe to leave the war and formulate independent policies by keeping the national interests supreme. Saeed said that India is a greater threat to Pakistan than the United States (US). “The current Government is conspiring with the US to give in to Indian supremacy in the region. Granting Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status is part of that plan. We must practically oppose this,” Saeed added. Activists of the participating religious outfits freely distributed hate material, including jihadi pamphlets, books, CDs and posters inciting sectarian hatred and urging jihad.
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January - 23 
Federal Law Minister Mir Maula Bakhsh Chandio on January 23 claimed that the political and other crises in the country are man-made and artificial, reported Daily Times. Talking to reporters, he recalled the misrule of military dictators, saying that pro-establishment forces had never created any cr
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Federal Law Minister Mir Maula Bakhsh Chandio on January 23 claimed that the political and other crises in the country are man-made and artificial, reported Daily Times. Talking to reporters, he recalled the misrule of military dictators, saying that pro-establishment forces had never created any crisis to embarrass any military dictator, nor did those Governments face artificial problems “created for vested interests”. Referring to Mansoor Ijaz, Chandio said he is a United States (US) national and was committed to defending American interests. “The memo scandal has no roots, and it will soon deflate.” “The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Government has the capability to face and overcome all crises, as it is enjoying the support of the people of Pakistan,” he said. Commenting on Balochistan, Chandio said violence was not a solution to any problem. “The PPP leadership apologized and wants to bring the Baloch people into the mainstream. The Government is ready to hold talks and negotiations with the Baloch leadership. However, violence from either side has remained a hindrance in addressing their grievances,” he added
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January - 23 
Pakistan’s fledgling democratic Government, under increasing pressure from the military, appeased extremist groups, ignored army abuses, and failed to hold those responsible for serious abuses accountable in 2011, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2012, on January 23, reports Daily T
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Pakistan’s fledgling democratic Government, under increasing pressure from the military, appeased extremist groups, ignored army abuses, and failed to hold those responsible for serious abuses accountable in 2011, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2012, on January 23, reports Daily Times. Targeted killings and other attacks on civilians by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and sectarian and ethnic militant groups, as well as killings of journalists, were commonplace during the year, it said. The Rights group said security deteriorated dramatically throughout the country as the result of suicide bombings by the TTP and affiliated groups, which targeted civilians and public spaces, including marketplaces and religious processions. There was a dramatic increase in targeted killings in Balochistan, while 800 people were killed in often politically motivated violence in Karachi, the report added. Relations between Pakistan and the United States (US) deteriorated markedly in 2011. Factors fuelling the diplomatic crisis included the killing of two men by a Central Investigation Agency (CIA) contractor at a Lahore traffic junction; the withholding of USD 800 million in military aid to Pakistan; Pakistan’s alleged support for militants from the “Haqqani Network”; the alleged harbouring by Pakistan of Osama bin Laden and his killing by the US; and the November 26, 2011 Mohmand Agency strike by NATO that killed 24 Pakistani troops. The US carried out about 75 aerial drone strikes during 2011 on suspected al Qaeda and TTP members. These strikes resulted in claims of large numbers of civilian casualties, but lack of access to the conflict areas has prevented independent verification.
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January - 23 
the elders of Dallokhel area in Lakki Marwat District and local leaders of Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) said that they would continue to cooperate with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) and Security Forces (SFs) for restoration of durable peace in the area, reported Dawn. “Joint and collective ef
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the elders of Dallokhel area in Lakki Marwat District and local leaders of Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) said that they would continue to cooperate with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) and Security Forces (SFs) for restoration of durable peace in the area, reported Dawn. “Joint and collective efforts by area people and LEA can help eradicate the menace of militancy and restore peace in the district,” they said, adding, that they would not allow anyone to disturb peace of the District. They added that all out assistance would be provided to security forces to eliminate saboteurs from the area. “The credit for maintaining sustainable peace and protecting lives and properties of people goes to SFs,” the speakers said. They called upon security forces to take elders into confidence before launching search operation in an area as it would help to tighten noose around miscreants and reduce hardships of local people.
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January - 23 
The Senate on January 23 passed a unanimous resolution asking the Government to arrest former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on his return from abroad and try him for committing treason, reports Dawn. Senator Mian Raza Rabbani moved the resolution towards the end of the proceedings on beh
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The Senate on January 23 passed a unanimous resolution asking the Government to arrest former President General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on his return from abroad and try him for committing treason, reports Dawn. Senator Mian Raza Rabbani moved the resolution towards the end of the proceedings on behalf of seven other senators. The resolution was virtually a charge-sheet against the former military ruler who had announced his return to Pakistan by the end this month. The Senate, through the resolution, said that General Musharraf held the Constitution in abeyance twice and brought the judiciary into disrepute. It said that General Musharraf removed, ridiculed and arrested judges of the superior judiciary. The resolution also stated that the former president aided, and was allegedly an accomplice, in the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Nawab Akbar Bugti. The senators said the former Army Chief had committed acts of criminal nature against the people of Pakistan and that his policies and the use of state force in Balochistan had led to loss of innocent lives and “sponsored disappearance” of people.
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January - 23 
the US Defense Department said that the November 26 NATO air strikes were not ‘unprovoked’, rejecting a Pakistani report which said NATO and ISAF had attacked its troops without provocation. At a briefing in Washington, a Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby also said he stood by a US military rep
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the US Defense Department said that the November 26 NATO air strikes were not ‘unprovoked’, rejecting a Pakistani report which said NATO and ISAF had attacked its troops without provocation. At a briefing in Washington, a Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby also said he stood by a US military report, released last month, which said that both countries committed mistakes, which led to the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers in the raids. Pentagon Press Secretary George Little also rejected the Pakistani claim and insisted that the NATO attack was “not unprovoked (and) we have said this many, many times”.
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January - 24 
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on January 24 expressed alarm at reports that another person, identified as Abdul Saboor’s, who had been detained for suspected involvement in the 2009 General Head Quarter (GHQ) attack was found dead in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhw
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Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on January 24 expressed alarm at reports that another person, identified as Abdul Saboor’s, who had been detained for suspected involvement in the 2009 General Head Quarter (GHQ) attack was found dead in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported Daily Times. The Commission said, “HRCP shows its serious concern that with the recovery of Abdul Saboor’s body in Peshawar, four of the 11 persons held on charges of involvement in the GHQ attack have now turned up dead. Their families had earlier spoken of the detained men being tortured and apprehended that they would be killed. The plight of the families of the four men killed and the seven who are believed to be alive, at least for now, is similar to hundreds of others who have been devastated by enforced disappearances by agents of the state across the country.” HRCP stressed that charges of involvement in acts of terrorism, do not deprive those accused of their due process rights.
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January - 24 
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's media adviser Farahnaz Ispahani on January 24 alleged that she ran away from the country over fears that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) might abduct her to force her husband, former Ambassador to the United States (US) Husain Haqqani, to sign a confession
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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's media adviser Farahnaz Ispahani on January 24 alleged that she ran away from the country over fears that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) might abduct her to force her husband, former Ambassador to the United States (US) Husain Haqqani, to sign a confession and implicate the President in the Memo Gate scandal, reported Indian Express. "What we're seeing is the systematic killing or silencing of anyone who stands up to the institutionalization of a militarized Islamist state, who advocates positive relations with the West or stands up for tolerance," stated The News quoting Ispahani, as saying. "I'm scared; the Government can't even protect itself". Isphani said this while talking to a British journalist, Christina Lamb, who claimed in her The Sunday Times article that Pakistan’s military is "steadily silencing opponents" and conducting a soft coup. Lamb, a foreign correspondent for The Sunday Times, who filed story on Pakistan from Washington, is banned from entering Pakistan after being deported from the country in 2001. She wrote that Haqqani's life was in danger and his wife Ispahani had fled to Washington amid fears that "ISI might kidnap her to force her husband to sign a confession and implicate the President."
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January - 24 
Police accused militants for the abduction of a German aid worker and his Italian colleague at gunpoint on January 19 from Multan District, and a Kenyan aid worker abducted on January 22, from Khairpur District of Sindh. “The kidnappers have made no contact so far,” Azhar Akram, the head of the Poli
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Police accused militants for the abduction of a German aid worker and his Italian colleague at gunpoint on January 19 from Multan District, and a Kenyan aid worker abducted on January 22, from Khairpur District of Sindh. “The kidnappers have made no contact so far,” Azhar Akram, the head of the Police investigation team said in Multan. A member of the Police team confirmed that suspicion was falling on extremists. “The gunmen are believed to have taken them to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.
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January - 24 
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will continue its support for economic and social development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Dawn. This assurance was given by Andrew Sisson, the USAID’s Mission Director in Pakistan, while
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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will continue its support for economic and social development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports Dawn. This assurance was given by Andrew Sisson, the USAID’s Mission Director in Pakistan, while speaking at a ceremony at Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). He said that the agency had spent USD 500 million on development and economic growth in the KP and FATA during the past few years. “We are making a major investment in the KP and FATA,” said Mr Sisson, adding that his organisation in collaboration with the Government, FATA authorities and business community was making efforts to achieve development of the two areas.
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January - 25 
The United States (US) has termed as "untrue" sentiments inside Pakistan that it was being sidelined by the Barrack Obama Administration in peace talks with the Afghan Taliban, reports Indian Express. "Absolutely untrue", State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, when asked there was a fee
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The United States (US) has termed as "untrue" sentiments inside Pakistan that it was being sidelined by the Barrack Obama Administration in peace talks with the Afghan Taliban, reports Indian Express. "Absolutely untrue", State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, when asked there was a feeling inside Pakistan that they are being sidelined in these talks with Afghan Taliban. "We have at every opportunity been clear that we think that Pakistan has a very important role to play in supporting this reconciliation process. The Secretary (Hillary Clinton) talked about it quite extensively when she was there," she said. Despite the killings of Osama bin Laden and radical US-Yemeni cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, al Qaeda remains a “real threat to the United States” US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said in a TV interview late on January 25. CBS News released excerpts of an interview with Panetta scheduled to run on January 29, in which Pentagon discusses US strategy to disband al Qaeda’s global networks. “We’re going after al Qaeda, wherever they’re at,” Panetta told CBS in the interview excerpt. “And clearly, we’re confronting al Qaeda in Pakistan. We’re confronting the nodes of al Qaeda in Yemen, in Somalia, in North Africa. ... And obviously whatever al Qaeda links are involved in Afghanistan,” he said.
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January - 26 
Even if the militants do not lay their weapons, they should accept the writ of the Government, said Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan during a party address on January 26, reports The Express Tribune. “It is considered humiliating in the Pashtun culture to ask someone to surre
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Even if the militants do not lay their weapons, they should accept the writ of the Government, said Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali Khan during a party address on January 26, reports The Express Tribune. “It is considered humiliating in the Pashtun culture to ask someone to surrender their arms,” Asfandyar added while speaking on the occasion of the death anniversary of his father Wali Khan and grandfather Bacha Khan. Asfandyar also remarked that the people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) will choose out of their own will whether they want to join Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or form a separate province.
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January - 26 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has said that peace will be maintained in Kurram Agency at all costs. He urged the tribesmen, relevant authorities and parties to the peace agreement to watch the situation for a quick response to any eventuality. Chairing a meeting of Kurram Agenc
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has said that peace will be maintained in Kurram Agency at all costs. He urged the tribesmen, relevant authorities and parties to the peace agreement to watch the situation for a quick response to any eventuality. Chairing a meeting of Kurram Agency Peace Jirga at Governor’s House in Peshawar, Kausar said that the directives he issued and announcements made during his recent visit to the tribal region for resolution of peoples’ problems and maintaining peace in the area would be implemented.
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January - 26 
On January 26, Daily Times reported that after two months into Pakistan's blockade of NATO supplies crossing into Afghanistan, thousands of trucks are crowding the port in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, where drivers, fed up with waiting, are starting to desert. For a month, Directors of
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On January 26, Daily Times reported that after two months into Pakistan's blockade of NATO supplies crossing into Afghanistan, thousands of trucks are crowding the port in Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh, where drivers, fed up with waiting, are starting to desert. For a month, Directors of transport companies, drivers and their helpers hung around patiently, buoyed by rumors of an imminent reopening of the border, shut after United States (US) air strikes on November 26, 2011 that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan is still reviewing the relationship and no one knows when the border will reopen, through which passes 25 percent of the supplies needed by the 130,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan. Fed up, running out of money and missing their families, many of the drivers have since abandoned their trucks and returned to their homes. "They had no more money in the end so they left one helper with their vehicle for security and care, and went back to their families," All Pakistan Oil Tankers Association Vice Chairman Muhammad Saleh Afridi said, adding, that more than a thousand trucks were stranded in Karachi. There are about 5,000 containers and military vehicles, according to a count provided by the authorities in early January this year. Since then, more have arrived by boat, while hundreds of oil tankers are filling huge car parks by the sea. "Most of the tankers are loaded with fuel, so helpers have to look after them to avoid looting," Afridi said.
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January - 26 
senior journalists during a conference held at the Quetta press club expressed that Balochistan is the second most dangerous place after Afghanistan for journalists as they are under serious threats to their lives. “Balochistan is a conflict zone and journalists are most vulnerable here. Intolerance
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senior journalists during a conference held at the Quetta press club expressed that Balochistan is the second most dangerous place after Afghanistan for journalists as they are under serious threats to their lives. “Balochistan is a conflict zone and journalists are most vulnerable here. Intolerance prevails among political parties, armed groups and Government institutions, as everyone wants extensive and exclusive coverage. They pressurize reporters and editors and sometimes send threats,” opined one of the speakers.
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January - 27 
A huge crowd comprising mostly of youngsters with majority of them in a uniform dress code from different seminaries across Sindh gathered at the first major show of political prowess of the Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Fazlur Rahman (JUI-F) at Bagh-e-Quaid on M.A Jinnah Road in Karachi on January 27, repo
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A huge crowd comprising mostly of youngsters with majority of them in a uniform dress code from different seminaries across Sindh gathered at the first major show of political prowess of the Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Fazlur Rahman (JUI-F) at Bagh-e-Quaid on M.A Jinnah Road in Karachi on January 27, reported Dawn. Rahman said that an unjust economic system and getting the country involved in an American-led war had fostered extremism. The gathering rejected subservience to any external force and cautioned the rulers against mortgaging national sovereignty for their narrow vested interests. The Maulana warned that people were getting disappointed with democracy because of interventions and if complete transparency was not maintained, from preparing electoral lists to announcement of results, the consequences could be disastrous. He said that instead of an Islamic welfare state, the country had been turned into a security state by the establishment which was gobbling up 60 per cent of resources. Maulana said his party believed that an economic revolution required that the poor be made real masters of resources. He urged people to reject those who were responsible for the economic imbalance. He said even those who raised the slogan of ‘roti, kapra aur makan’ had failed to improve the life of the poor. Holding black and white party flags, the supporters had a variety of slogans but common thoughts to share. “We don’t want any secular and liberal party to rule Pakistan,” said Haseebullah, a second-year student of Dars-i-Nizami, who accompanied his more than 500 seminary students from Korangi town at the rally. “People have witnessed those who are allied with the United States,” said Shiraz Khan, in his mid-20s, and enrolled with a Clifton seminary. “As the slogan of this rally [Islam Zindabad Conference] reflects the emotion motivating this huge crowd, it also shows people’s loyalty to religious parties and we are hopeful about positive poll results even in Karachi if they are held in a transparent manner.” “If the MMA (Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal) is revived and the Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) gives up its stance of a solo flight, the power of the religious parties will be felt across the country as well as Karachi,” said Mohammad Shamshad, a Baldia town resident.
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January - 27 
Former President General Pervez Musharraf will definitely be arrested if he returns to the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on January 27, reports Daily Times. “In fact, there had been murder charges against him, and there had even been some very grave charges against him, and the Su
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Former President General Pervez Musharraf will definitely be arrested if he returns to the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on January 27, reports Daily Times. “In fact, there had been murder charges against him, and there had even been some very grave charges against him, and the Supreme Court had already given a verdict against him,” Gilani was quoted as saying at the Global Economic Forum in Davos. “Certainly when he’ll come back, he has to face those charges and certainly be arrested,” the Prime Minister said.
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January - 27 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed a decline in the number of bomb blasts in 2011 compared to 2010, The Express Tribune reported quoting Peshawar City Police study. Yet this is hardly a cause to rejoice, as the death toll from the attacks was actually higher than the previous year. According to a comparat
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed a decline in the number of bomb blasts in 2011 compared to 2010, The Express Tribune reported quoting Peshawar City Police study. Yet this is hardly a cause to rejoice, as the death toll from the attacks was actually higher than the previous year. According to a comparative study by the capital city police, a total of 34 bomb blasts took place in the province in 2011, killing 400 civilians and 134 police officials, while 37 blasts were witnessed in 2010 which killed 411 civilians and 99 security personnel. However, the capital city showed a marked decline compared to 2010, thanks to the efforts of law enforcement agencies and the cooperation of locals.
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January - 28 
Pakistan's Ambassador in Washington Sherry Rehman on January 28 reached out to Pakistani-Americans to seek their support towards better Pakistan-United States (US) relations, which she underscored, must be based on "mutual respect, interests and shared values”, reports Daily Times. "This embassy is
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Pakistan's Ambassador in Washington Sherry Rehman on January 28 reached out to Pakistani-Americans to seek their support towards better Pakistan-United States (US) relations, which she underscored, must be based on "mutual respect, interests and shared values”, reports Daily Times. "This embassy is not going to work alone in Washington. It is going to work with many ambassadors, who are there to attempt to change the way this important bilateral relationship works," Sherry Rehman said.
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January - 28 
United States (US) Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on January 28 acknowledged publicly for the first time that a Pakistani doctor provided key information to the US in advance of the Navy SEAL’s assault on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad on May 1, 2011, reported Daily Times. Panetta acknowle
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United States (US) Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on January 28 acknowledged publicly for the first time that a Pakistani doctor provided key information to the US in advance of the Navy SEAL’s assault on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad on May 1, 2011, reported Daily Times. Panetta acknowledged that Dr Shakeel Afridi had in fact been working for the US intelligence, collecting DNA to verify the 9/11 mastermind’s presence. The doctor has now been arrested and charged with treason by the Pakistani Government, he said.
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January - 29 
Afghanistan Ambassador in Islamabad, Omar Daudza on January 29 said that Pakistan Foreign Minister (FM) Hina Rabbani Khar will visit Kabul and call on Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and will also hold talks with her Afghanistan counterpart Doctor Zalmay Rassoul to pave the way for the restoratio
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Afghanistan Ambassador in Islamabad, Omar Daudza on January 29 said that Pakistan Foreign Minister (FM) Hina Rabbani Khar will visit Kabul and call on Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and will also hold talks with her Afghanistan counterpart Doctor Zalmay Rassoul to pave the way for the restoration of joint peace and reconciliation efforts, reports Express Tribune. Islamabad seeks the revival of the Pak-Afghan joint peace commission during FM Hina Rabbani Khar’s visits to Kabul on February 1, 2012. The relations between the two neighbors were severely strained following the September 20, 2011 assassination of former Afghan President, and Chairman of Afghan High Peace Council, Burhanuddin Rabbani. Afghan officials alleged that Pakistani intelligence was involved in the plot. However, Islamabad had dismissed the charges as malicious.
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January - 29 
During a public meeting at Multan Sports Ground in Multan District the leaders of the Pakistan Defense Council (PDC) on January 29 warned the Government against reopening of the NATO supply routes, threatening strikes and sit-ins if the rulers compromised on the issue, reported Daily Times. The lead
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During a public meeting at Multan Sports Ground in Multan District the leaders of the Pakistan Defense Council (PDC) on January 29 warned the Government against reopening of the NATO supply routes, threatening strikes and sit-ins if the rulers compromised on the issue, reported Daily Times. The leaders said that they strongly opposed any compromise over the blood of Pakistan Army and tribal brothers in return for dollars. They warned that if NATO supply lines were restored, people from Karachi to Khyber would take to roads and stop the containers forcibly.
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January - 29 
The Afghanistan and Pakistan Governments are seeking peace talks with the Afghan Taliban in Saudi Arabia separate from United States (US)-brokered talks with the militants in Qatar, officials said on January 29, reported Daily Times. Taliban negotiators have begun holding preliminary talks with US o
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The Afghanistan and Pakistan Governments are seeking peace talks with the Afghan Taliban in Saudi Arabia separate from United States (US)-brokered talks with the militants in Qatar, officials said on January 29, reported Daily Times. Taliban negotiators have begun holding preliminary talks with US officials in the Gulf state on plans for peace talks aimed at ending the decade-long war in Afghanistan, a former Taliban official said. But Afghan and Taliban officials indicated in response to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report about plans for talks in Saudi Arabia that both Kabul and Islamabad were looking for their own talks with the militants. Asked for his response to the BBC report, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai said, “Of course we support any steps towards the Afghan peace process.” He refused to comment further. But senior Afghan Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We will always pursue all roads towards peace in Afghanistan, including contacts with the Taliban that are not limited to the Qatar office.”
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January - 29 
The proscribed Sunni Tehreek, known as a religious organisation, announced on January 29 that it was converting itself into a political party to be called Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST), reported Dawn. The announcement was made by the head of the Tehreek, Maulana Sarwat Ejaz Quaderi, who was addressin
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The proscribed Sunni Tehreek, known as a religious organisation, announced on January 29 that it was converting itself into a political party to be called Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST), reported Dawn. The announcement was made by the head of the Tehreek, Maulana Sarwat Ejaz Quaderi, who was addressing the “Pakistan Bachao Janisaran-e-Mustafa Conference”, held at Nishtar Park in Soldier Bazaar of Karachi, the provincial capital of Sindh. Mr Quaderi said the PST would launch its political campaign on March 23, 2012 with a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore District and unveil its manifesto and programme which would aim at ushering in a ‘Mustafvi Revolution’ to eliminate injustices and terrorism. He said the party would strive for the supremacy of law, adding that student wings of the party had already been set up in colleges and universities under the name of Pakistan Islamic Student Federation (PISF). He said the PST would field its candidates throughout Pakistan.
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January - 29 
the tribesmen extended full support to SFs during operation against militants in Mohmand Agency, said Brigadier Aftab Ahmad. Addressing a jirga (tribal council) at Ghalanai, he said that a quota will be specified for Mohmand tribe to encourage youth of the area to join Army. He said that a cadet co
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the tribesmen extended full support to SFs during operation against militants in Mohmand Agency, said Brigadier Aftab Ahmad. Addressing a jirga (tribal council) at Ghalanai, he said that a quota will be specified for Mohmand tribe to encourage youth of the area to join Army. He said that a cadet college would be established in the area. “We will not disturb your tribal customs and jirga system,” he told the tribesmen. Brigadier Aftab said that some anti-state elements were still present in the area and they didn’t want stability in the region. “These are the enemies of our country,” he added. He urged tribesmen to play their role in restoration of peace in their respective areas and help SFs.
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January - 30 
The Government of Pakistan should redouble efforts to find the killers of journalist Saleem Shahzad following the failure of the judicial inquiry commission to identify those responsible, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on January 30, reported Dawn. The Commission concluded in its J
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The Government of Pakistan should redouble efforts to find the killers of journalist Saleem Shahzad following the failure of the judicial inquiry commission to identify those responsible, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on January 30, reported Dawn. The Commission concluded in its January 10, 2012 report to the Government that the Police had failed to question Pakistan’s military intelligence officials in its criminal investigation. “The Commission’s failure to get to the bottom of the Shahzad killing illustrates the ability of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) to remain beyond the reach of Pakistan’s criminal justice system,” said Brad Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, adding, “The Government still has the responsibility to identify those responsible for Shahzad’s death and hold them accountable, no matter where the evidence leads.” The ISI, the HRW said, had a long and well-documented history of abductions, torture, and extrajudicial killings of critics of the military and others. Those abducted are routinely beaten and threatened, their relatives told not to worry or complain as release was imminent, and then released with the threat of further abuse if the ordeal is made public. The HRW says Pakistani and international human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, have extensively documented the ISI’s intimidation, torture, enforced disappearances, and killings, including of many journalists.
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January - 30 
the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet expressed confidence in the Federal Government over the Afghan refugees’ repatriation issue, asking it to involve the Provincial Government in the future tripartite dialogue on the matter. The Provincial Government had decided to ask centre to involve Khyber Pakhtunkhw
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the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet expressed confidence in the Federal Government over the Afghan refugees’ repatriation issue, asking it to involve the Provincial Government in the future tripartite dialogue on the matter. The Provincial Government had decided to ask centre to involve Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the course of the future tripartite dialogue for the repatriation of Afghan refugees, Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain said. Hussain said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had experienced a negative impact owing to presence of Afghan refugees. Hence, it should be involved for taking decisions in future regarding the return of refugees to their homeland, he added. Hussain further said that Home Secretary Azam Khan briefed the cabinet about the Afghan refugees, informing it that as per the decision of the tripartite dialogue, involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as parties, Afghan refugees had been set a cutoff date of December 31, 2011 for their repatriation. However, the move could not be implemented and the date had now been extended to December 30, 2012, he added. He said the cabinet was informed that the province had 1.6 million Afghan refugees of which some 400,000 were unregistered. The provincial cabinet, said the minister, expressed the hope that the province would be taken into confidence prior to any decision by the Federal Government in that regard.
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January - 30 
The News reports that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet was told that Kohat Central Jail and Lakki Marwat sub-jail had been handed over to Pakistan Army for conversion into detention centers where under-trail terrorists could be interrogated. Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that aft
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The News reports that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet was told that Kohat Central Jail and Lakki Marwat sub-jail had been handed over to Pakistan Army for conversion into detention centers where under-trail terrorists could be interrogated. Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that after proper identification and classification of the detainees arrested on terrorism charges and the under-trail prisoners would be shifted to detention centers in Kohat and Lakki Marwat Districts. “A list of hardcore militants has been handed over to Special Branch,” Hussain said, adding that some 107 prisoners had been shifted from Central Jail Peshawar to other jails of the province. The Minister said the Provincial Government had requested the Federal Government and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi (Punjab) to obtain permission for installing jammers to block the use of mobile phones at the Central Prison Peshawar. Mian Iftikhar said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had arrested 6,236 terrorists and some 24,122 proclaimed offenders during 2011. He said that some 96 cases of kidnapping for ransom took place in 2011 while 242 kidnapping cases were reported in 2010.
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January - 30 
The Times quoted the report as saying the Afghan Taliban’s “strength, motivation, funding and tactical proficiency remains intact” despite setbacks in 2011. “Many Afghans are already bracing themselves for an eventual return of the Afghan Taliban,” it said, adding, “Once (NATO forces) International
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The Times quoted the report as saying the Afghan Taliban’s “strength, motivation, funding and tactical proficiency remains intact” despite setbacks in 2011. “Many Afghans are already bracing themselves for an eventual return of the Afghan Taliban,” it said, adding, “Once (NATO forces) International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is no longer a factor, Afghan Taliban consider their victory inevitable
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January - 30 
The United States (US) Department of Defence said it could not comment on the report but set out its fears about Pakistan and its influence in Afghanistan. “We have not seen the report, and therefore cannot offer comment on it specifically,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said. “We have long been
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The United States (US) Department of Defence said it could not comment on the report but set out its fears about Pakistan and its influence in Afghanistan. “We have not seen the report, and therefore cannot offer comment on it specifically,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said. “We have long been concerned about ties between elements of the ISI and some extremist networks.” US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said. In its conclusion, the report said there had been unprecedented interest in joining the Afghan Taliban cause in 2011, even from members of the Afghanistan Government. “Afghan civilians frequently prefer Taliban governance over the Afghanistan Government, usually as a result of Government corruption,” it was reported as saying.
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January - 30 
United States (US) President Barack Obama on January 30 officially acknowledged and confirmed that the US drone aircraft have struck Taliban and al Qaeda targets within Pakistan, reported Dawn. When asked about the use of drones by his administration in a chat with web users on Google+ and YouTube,
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United States (US) President Barack Obama on January 30 officially acknowledged and confirmed that the US drone aircraft have struck Taliban and al Qaeda targets within Pakistan, reported Dawn. When asked about the use of drones by his administration in a chat with web users on Google+ and YouTube, Obama said, “A lot of these strikes have been in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). For the most part, they’ve been very precise precision strikes against al Qaeda and their affiliates, and we’re very careful in terms of how it’s been applied.” “This is a targeted focused effort at people who are on a list of active terrorists, who are trying to go in and harm Americans, hit American facilities, American bases, and so on,” he added. Explaining that many strikes were carried out “on Al-Qaeda operatives in places where the capacities of that military in that country may not be able to get them,” Obama confirmed that Pakistan’s lawless tribal zone was a target. “So, obviously, a lot of these strikes have been in the FATA, and going after Al Qaeda suspects who are up in very tough terrain along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” he said, adding, “For us to be able to get them in another way would involve probably a lot more intrusive military action than the ones we’re already engaging in.”
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January - 31 
A militant outfit has plans to carry out a rocket attack on the Pakistan capital, similar to the one at Abbottabad on January 27, 2012, said Islamabad Police Chief Bin Yamin Khan on January 31, reports The Times of India. Yamin Khan said that comprehensive security measures had been put in place to
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A militant outfit has plans to carry out a rocket attack on the Pakistan capital, similar to the one at Abbottabad on January 27, 2012, said Islamabad Police Chief Bin Yamin Khan on January 31, reports The Times of India. Yamin Khan said that comprehensive security measures had been put in place to counter such an assault
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January - 31 
Meanwhile, Pakistan reminded the United States about the illegality of the drone war in tribal areas and emphasised that Islamabad was very sensitive about violation of sovereignty. “Drone attacks are unlawful, counter-productive and hence unacceptable. We cannot condone violation of our sovereignty
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Meanwhile, Pakistan reminded the United States about the illegality of the drone war in tribal areas and emphasised that Islamabad was very sensitive about violation of sovereignty. “Drone attacks are unlawful, counter-productive and hence unacceptable. We cannot condone violation of our sovereignty,” Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said. He was reacting to a statement by US President Barack Obama in which he defended the drone campaign against targets in Pakistan during a live web interview.
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January - 31 
Pakistan has one united policy towards the United States (US), which has the support of all Government institutions, said Ambassador Sherry Rehman on January 31 emphasizing the need to dispel the impression that Pakistani institutions are divided over the country’s relationship with Washington, repo
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Pakistan has one united policy towards the United States (US), which has the support of all Government institutions, said Ambassador Sherry Rehman on January 31 emphasizing the need to dispel the impression that Pakistani institutions are divided over the country’s relationship with Washington, reported Dawn. “Pakistan speaks today as one united Government, and we will have one united policy towards the US,” she said, adding, “The elected Government will stand firm in its resolve to protect our military when our soldiers are martyred in the line of duty, as they were on border post of Salala, and the military stands committed to defend our borders from any incursion to the last man.” She noted that the Pakistani military was also strongly committed to defending the current democratic set-up in the country and there’s no threat to the Government from any quarters.
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January - 31 
The United States (US) Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper said on January 31 that continued pressure from the US and its allies will likely reduce al Qaeda’s core leadership in Pakistan to “largely symbolic importance” over the next two to three years as the terrorist organisation f
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The United States (US) Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper said on January 31 that continued pressure from the US and its allies will likely reduce al Qaeda’s core leadership in Pakistan to “largely symbolic importance” over the next two to three years as the terrorist organisation fragments into more regionally focused groups and homegrown extremists, reported Indian Express. “With fragmentation, core al Qaeda will likely be of largely symbolic importance to the movement,” Clapper said, adding, “Regional groups, and to a lesser extent small cells and individuals, will drive the global jihad agenda both within the US and abroad.”
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January - 31 
Reacting to United Sates (US) President Barack Obama’s admission of drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas, elders from North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on January 31 announced a long march from the tribal belt to the Parliament House in Islamabad on February 2
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Reacting to United Sates (US) President Barack Obama’s admission of drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas, elders from North Waziristan Agency of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on January 31 announced a long march from the tribal belt to the Parliament House in Islamabad on February 25. Addressing a joint press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, elders from different tribes of North Waziristan Agency condemned President Barack Obama’s drone programme. They termed the strikes as a “massacre of the innocent,” and announced their plan to stage a sit in before the Parliament House
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February - 1 
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on February 1 said that peace in Afghanistan was critical for the peace and security in Pakistan, and said that it does not want any political settlement in Afghanistan that would destabilise Pakistan, reports The Express Tribune. Talking to Afghan Senate delegation
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Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on February 1 said that peace in Afghanistan was critical for the peace and security in Pakistan, and said that it does not want any political settlement in Afghanistan that would destabilise Pakistan, reports The Express Tribune. Talking to Afghan Senate delegation, Gilani reiterated that Pakistan would continue to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process that would not cause instability in Pakistan. The Prime Minister said that both Afghanistan and Pakistan are victims of terrorism and they should get united to fight against the common enemy.
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February - 1 
A couple of Ministers from Southern Punjab during the Cabinet Meeting on February 1 raised the issue of former leader of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Malik Ishaq’s free movement in Punjab and said that it appeared that Ishaq got patronage from the Provincial Government, reported Dawn. Malik Ishaq had a
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A couple of Ministers from Southern Punjab during the Cabinet Meeting on February 1 raised the issue of former leader of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Malik Ishaq’s free movement in Punjab and said that it appeared that Ishaq got patronage from the Provincial Government, reported Dawn. Malik Ishaq had attended a rally organised by the Difa-e-Pakistan Council in Multan District on January 30, 2011.
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February - 1 
Central Investigation Agency (CIA) Director David Petraeus said that Pakistan is not putting enough pressure on the Afghan Taliban to make them seek a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. “Obviously, there’s been insufficient pressure on the Haqqani Network, on some of the other elements — again, t
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Central Investigation Agency (CIA) Director David Petraeus said that Pakistan is not putting enough pressure on the Afghan Taliban to make them seek a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. “Obviously, there’s been insufficient pressure on the Haqqani Network, on some of the other elements — again, the allies of al Qaeda such as the Commander Nazir group, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and then some others. And then needless to say, the Afghan Taliban has not been pressured sufficiently in the sanctuaries that it enjoys in Balochistan and in other areas as well,” David Petraeus told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. “The Taliban’s senior leaders continued to enjoy safe haven in Pakistan,” said Director of National Intelligence General James Clapper. The US-led “International Security Assistance Force and the support of Afghanistan’s neighbours, notably and particularly Pakistan, will remain essential to sustain the gains that have been achieved”.
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February - 1 
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Pakistan had no hidden agenda in Afghanistan and would back a peace process with Afghan Taliban as long as it was driven by Afghans and not other figures on the international stage. Khar also dismissed a leaked US military report claiming Pakistan support
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Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Pakistan had no hidden agenda in Afghanistan and would back a peace process with Afghan Taliban as long as it was driven by Afghans and not other figures on the international stage. Khar also dismissed a leaked US military report claiming Pakistan supported Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, saying it can be “disregarded”. “We can disregard this as a potentially strategic leak. This is old wine in an even older bottle,” she told reporters during an official visit to Kabul. Khar, whose visit was the first high-level meeting in months between officials from both countries, added that the neighbours should stop blaming each other for strained cross-border ties. “We must start engaging in the end of blame games,” she said. Khar visited Kabul to mend relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan that broke down last year when a former Afghan president who was trying to broker peace was assassinated
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February - 1 
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on February 4 released the photographs of three personnel of Frontier Corps (FC) and claimed that its men seized the security personnel on February 1 during clashes Margat coalmines in Mach area of Bolan District which claimed the lives of 35 soldiers. Frontier Corps
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The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on February 4 released the photographs of three personnel of Frontier Corps (FC) and claimed that its men seized the security personnel on February 1 during clashes Margat coalmines in Mach area of Bolan District which claimed the lives of 35 soldiers. Frontier Corps officials confirmed that three of their personnel were abdcuted after the clash. Meerak Baloch, the BLA spokesman, sent newspaper offices three photographs showing handcuffed FC personnel along with their weapons, ammunition and communication gadgets. He called the journalists and claimed that the three personnel were captured after the BLA attack on four FC checkposts. He claimed that 35 FC personnel were killed and scores of others injured in the fighting. However, the official sources claimed that 15 FC personnel were killed and 12 others were injured
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February - 1 
The United States (US) on February 1 said it has "long standing concerns" over Inter-Services Intelligence's (ISI) links with the Afghan Taliban and wants Pakistan to "cut-off" those ties, hours after a NATO report blew the lid off the ISI's "manipulation" of Afghan Taliban's senior leadership, repo
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The United States (US) on February 1 said it has "long standing concerns" over Inter-Services Intelligence's (ISI) links with the Afghan Taliban and wants Pakistan to "cut-off" those ties, hours after a NATO report blew the lid off the ISI's "manipulation" of Afghan Taliban's senior leadership, reports Times of India. Pentagon spokesperson Captain John Kirby told reporters during an off-camera briefing that the facts laid bare by the damning report were "not a new notion" and these concerns have been raised earlier as well. "This is not a new notion, we made those concerns clear and the Secretary has been very clear about the ongoing problem of safe havens inside Pakistan for these groups," Kirby said referring to a new NATO report on Taliban which says that the ISI continues to help the extremist group, which wants to come back to power in Afghanistan. "We have made it clear already that Pakistan needs to act against safe heavens. We would like ties between some elements of ISI and Taliban to be cut-off," he said
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February - 1 
Special Branch official said that the decision was taken anticipating that Ishaq’s entry to the District may cause disruption of peace and sectarian tensions. He said District Police Officer (DPO) Rao Munir Zia had sent a letter on January 31 to District Coordination Officer (DCO) Tahir Khursheed su
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Special Branch official said that the decision was taken anticipating that Ishaq’s entry to the District may cause disruption of peace and sectarian tensions. He said District Police Officer (DPO) Rao Munir Zia had sent a letter on January 31 to District Coordination Officer (DCO) Tahir Khursheed suggesting the ban. Both departments, he said, agreed on the proposal and the DCO issued the orders under Section-5 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance 1960. Under the MPO, the Home Department can detain a person for up to three months if they suspect that the person could create a law and order situation.
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February - 1 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the permission for the rallies held in Lahore and Multan by the Difa-e-Pakistan Council recently had been granted by the District Coordination Officers (DCOs) concerned. Since the DCOs fell under the administrative control of the Chief Minister, the Federal G
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Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the permission for the rallies held in Lahore and Multan by the Difa-e-Pakistan Council recently had been granted by the District Coordination Officers (DCOs) concerned. Since the DCOs fell under the administrative control of the Chief Minister, the Federal Government at best could seek an explanation from the Punjab Government, he added. The cabinet decided to formally take up the issue with the Provincial Government, ensuring that the Difa-e-Pakistan Council should stay away from individuals like Malik Ishaq in future.
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February - 1 
Meanwhile, a jirga (tribal council) of Safi Masood tribe in Mohmand Agency decided that tribesmen would not accept any pressure to form peace committees. The jirga, attended by about 300 tribesmen, was addressed by Haji Gul Nabi, Hussain Ahmad, Saeed Khan, Malak Mohammad Jan, Jangrez Khan and others
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Meanwhile, a jirga (tribal council) of Safi Masood tribe in Mohmand Agency decided that tribesmen would not accept any pressure to form peace committees. The jirga, attended by about 300 tribesmen, was addressed by Haji Gul Nabi, Hussain Ahmad, Saeed Khan, Malak Mohammad Jan, Jangrez Khan and others. “We are not ready to form peace committees in our areas forcefully,” they said. They also lashed out at political administration for raiding their houses and arresting innocent people. The speakers said that administration called sniffer dogs to trace culprits in their area. “It is against our tribal system and also insult of our houses,” they told the jirga.
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February - 2 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Syed Masood Kausar said that a swift change is taking place in FATA as restoration of peace has ushered in an era of development. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the newly constructed 110 kilometres Tank-Jandola-Makin Road in South Waziristan Agency, he said that dev
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Syed Masood Kausar said that a swift change is taking place in FATA as restoration of peace has ushered in an era of development. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the newly constructed 110 kilometres Tank-Jandola-Makin Road in South Waziristan Agency, he said that development activities in FATA would pick momentum in the days to come and peace would be maintained at all costs to facilitate an uninterrupted uplift process across the tribal areas. “The colonial era is over as it is the reign of people and their representative in Fata,” he said
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February - 2 
Pakistan is willing to do whatever the Afghanistan want to help facilitate an end to 10 years of war with the Afghan Taliban, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on February 2, reports The Express Tribune. Speaking a day after talks with President Hamid Karzai in Kabul billed as a fence-mending
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Pakistan is willing to do whatever the Afghanistan want to help facilitate an end to 10 years of war with the Afghan Taliban, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on February 2, reports The Express Tribune. Speaking a day after talks with President Hamid Karzai in Kabul billed as a fence-mending visit designed to ease frosty ties, Khar sought to refute perceptions that Islamabad was an obstacle to peace. Further, Hina Rabbani Khar said that Pakistan would be willing to push the Afghan militant groups like the Haqqani network and the Afghan Taliban to make peace if asked to do so by the Afghan Government, an action seen as key to the reconciliation process. Pakistan’s role is vital because Taliban leaders are thought to be based in the country. But there are also limits to what Islamabad can accomplish since the Afghan Taliban have been difficult to control and are wary of Pakistani influence.
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February - 2 
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, on February 2, said Pakistan wanted the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with honour and called upon the international community for assistance in this regard, reports Daily Times. Talking to UN High Commissioner for Afghan Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Gute
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Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, on February 2, said Pakistan wanted the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with honour and called upon the international community for assistance in this regard, reports Daily Times. Talking to UN High Commissioner for Afghan Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres at the PM’s House, the Prime Minister said it seemed that the international community had forgotten Afghan refugees. The Prime Minister said Pakistan would support any reconciliation process, which was Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and added that its culmination would not destabilise Pakistan. The Prime Minister emphasised that the return of the Afghan refugees was important because the crossing of borders by 30,000 to 40,000 Afghan’s on a daily basis made it impossible to distinguish between a "tourist and a terrorist". He reiterated that the democratic government had the resolve and capacity to defeat the forces of terrorism and added that the safe return of Afghan refugees to their homeland would help in this pursuit. The UNHCR has thanked Pakistan for its hospitality towards Afghan refugees while praising its continued commitment to finding lasting solutions to the situation
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February - 2 
The United Sates (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on February 2 said that there is nothing new in the new classified report of NATO on Taliban, leaked portions of which says that the Pakistan continues to have links with the extremist organisation, reports Indian Express. "I think that there
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The United Sates (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on February 2 said that there is nothing new in the new classified report of NATO on Taliban, leaked portions of which says that the Pakistan continues to have links with the extremist organisation, reports Indian Express. "I think that there have already been comments that there's nothing new in what has been released, but I'm not going to go into it in any depth," Clinton told reporters at a joint media availability with the visiting Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam. As such, the US sought to downplay the report, which was dismissed by the Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar as "old wine in even older bottles".
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February - 3 
Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 3 stressed the need for improving law to control activities of banned organisations, reported Daily Times. Malik told the National Assembly that the delay in approval of an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act was the main reason behind banned ou
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Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 3 stressed the need for improving law to control activities of banned organisations, reported Daily Times. Malik told the National Assembly that the delay in approval of an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act was the main reason behind banned outfits’ holding rallies across the country. Malik said that revamping of laws was the solution but an amendment bill had been lying with the Senate standing committee for the past two years. Further, Malik apprised the Senate that the January 31, 2011 murder was a conspiracy against the country, reported Dawn. Replying to various points of order, Malik said it was not an ordinary incident and the conspirators would not be spared. “Whenever we head towards positive development in Balochistan such things start happening,” he said and added that it was an attempt to disrupt peace in the province.
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February - 3 
Central Investigation Agency (CIA) Director General David Petraeus on February 3 told a congressional committee that he believes Afghanistan forces should not enter Pakistan to destroy the sanctuaries that the Afghan Taliban leaders allegedly enjoyed in that country, reports Dawn. “With respect shou
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Central Investigation Agency (CIA) Director General David Petraeus on February 3 told a congressional committee that he believes Afghanistan forces should not enter Pakistan to destroy the sanctuaries that the Afghan Taliban leaders allegedly enjoyed in that country, reports Dawn. “With respect should the Afghan forces be allowed to go, well, I think that’s obviously a question for Afghanistan, but I think they probably have sufficient fights on their hands without invading the soil of another country, even as significant as is the threat that is posed by some of these safe havens across the border,” he said
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February - 4 
Kashmir Committee Chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman on February 4 said that a briefing should be held for Kashmiri leaders to apprise them of the pros and cons of Pakistan’s plan to grant the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to India, reported Dawn. Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House aft
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Kashmir Committee Chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman on February 4 said that a briefing should be held for Kashmiri leaders to apprise them of the pros and cons of Pakistan’s plan to grant the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status to India, reported Dawn. Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House after a meeting with the Kashmiri leaders, he said the committee would request the Government to direct the commerce and foreign ministries to brief the Kashmiri leaders on the issue in order to address their apprehensions about enhancing trade relations with India. Rehman said the Kashmiri leaders were of the view that the new policy on trade ties with India would be so devised that the interests of Kashmiris and Pakistan were not hurt, adding the MFN status to India should be granted only after removing reservations of Kashmiri people.
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February - 4 
Parliamentary Kashmir Committee reiterated that it would continue to support the people of Kashmir in their struggle for their right to self-determination. The committee said that Pakistanis and Kashmiris were united on one platform to achieve this objective. “Pakistan will continue its support for
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Parliamentary Kashmir Committee reiterated that it would continue to support the people of Kashmir in their struggle for their right to self-determination. The committee said that Pakistanis and Kashmiris were united on one platform to achieve this objective. “Pakistan will continue its support for their Kashmiri brethren, who are struggling for their right to self-determination,” the chairman and members of the committee said.
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February - 5 
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 5 said that the issue of November 26, 2011 NATO attack was referred to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), which comprised the chosen representatives and had the backing of the people of Pakistan, reports Dawn. The Committee has fina
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Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 5 said that the issue of November 26, 2011 NATO attack was referred to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS), which comprised the chosen representatives and had the backing of the people of Pakistan, reports Dawn. The Committee has finalized its recommendations and now the Joint Sitting of the Parliament would debate on the issue and would make a decision, the decision to be made by chosen representatives would be reflective of the aspirations of the masses, he said. “Gone are the days, when the foreign policy was made by individuals. Now, the policies would be made by the chosen representatives and through the Parliament,” Gilani added. The Prime Minister said the Parliament would debate on all issues and policies including Kashmir policy, nuclear policy, new terms of engagement with United States (US), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), adding, these policies would have the backing of 180 million people, as they would know that these policies were finalized by their representatives.
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February - 6 
Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 6 demanded the Punjab Government to take to task its officials who allegedly let two firebrand leaders of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) sneak into Islamabad on February 3, 2012 to make provocative speeches, reports Dawn. Police sources here said
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Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 6 demanded the Punjab Government to take to task its officials who allegedly let two firebrand leaders of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) sneak into Islamabad on February 3, 2012 to make provocative speeches, reports Dawn. Police sources here said the Interior Ministry had demanded the Punjab Home Department take action against the administration and Police officers of Kamalia and Khanewal who failed to prevent Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Ludhianvi and Maulana Mohammad Khalid Dhillon from leaving their hometowns in violation of restrictions imposed on the leaders of SSP under Section 11 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The two sneaky leaders made provocative speeches and displayed hate material and banners at a religious ceremony in Islamabad. According to the sources, the ceremony had been a long tradition and the Margalla Police came to know about the presence of the leaders only because it was there to provide security. It was considered prudent not to incite religious frenzy by arresting them. However, the event was noted in the police station’s daily diary and the senior officers were informed same night about the unexpected presence of the SSP leaders.
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February - 6 
Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the chief of Jama’at-ud Dawa (JuD), on February 6 confessed for the first time about his meeting with al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden and said he studied under the same scholar, named Sheikh bin Baz, who taught Bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri.
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Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the chief of Jama’at-ud Dawa (JuD), on February 6 confessed for the first time about his meeting with al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden and said he studied under the same scholar, named Sheikh bin Baz, who taught Bin Laden and Ayman Al-Zawahiri.
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February - 6 
Minister of State for Health Sheikh Waqas Akram of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) rubbished the Government’s anti-terrorism efforts “a drama.” He said he knew that a Paighumber-e-Islam Conference planned in Karachi was in fact meant to provide a stage for religious militants to spread venom. I
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Minister of State for Health Sheikh Waqas Akram of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) rubbished the Government’s anti-terrorism efforts “a drama.” He said he knew that a Paighumber-e-Islam Conference planned in Karachi was in fact meant to provide a stage for religious militants to spread venom. In addition, Sahibzada Fazal Karim of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) joined the criticism of the freedom extremists groups enjoyed in the country.
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February - 6 
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on February 6 described Kashmir as a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, but called for a need to resolve the dispute "through diplomacy and dialogue" as his country "cannot afford wars in the 21st century'', reports Times of India. Gilani was addressing a gat
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Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on February 6 described Kashmir as a cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, but called for a need to resolve the dispute "through diplomacy and dialogue" as his country "cannot afford wars in the 21st century'', reports Times of India. Gilani was addressing a gathering in Islamabad to mark Pakistan's Kashmir Solidarity Day that has been observed since 1990 to keep the issue in public discourse and call for implementation of United Nations (UN) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and a plebiscite in the region. "Four wars have already been fought over the issue of Kashmir and the region remains a flashpoint. However, in the 21st century, we cannot afford any more wars," Gilani said. He also said that Pakistan wants to resolve the matter through "dialogue, diplomacy, prudent policy and national consensus". But he maintained that Pakistan remains "committed to continue moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir''."The whole nation, including all the political parties, is united on the cause of Kashmir,'' he said. Gilani referred to his meeting with PM Manmohan Singh in Maldives in November 2011 and said the two sides had agreed to discuss all core issues, including Kashmir.
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February - 6 
The Army on February 6 claimed to have made major progress in Operation Azmari Ghero launched in November 2011 in Kurram Agency of Federally Administered tribal Areas (FATA) after clearing the snow-covered Jogi Mountains and severing a vital supply route to militants in North Waziristan Agency, repo
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The Army on February 6 claimed to have made major progress in Operation Azmari Ghero launched in November 2011 in Kurram Agency of Federally Administered tribal Areas (FATA) after clearing the snow-covered Jogi Mountains and severing a vital supply route to militants in North Waziristan Agency, reported Dawn. “Jogi Mountains, which were being used by militants as their hideout, have been captured and the area is well defended,” an Army Officer said after Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani visited troops in Kurram Agency. This was one of the most intensely carried out recent operations in which 69 troops, including five officers, and about 160 militants, including foreigners, were killed. “The terrorists fought pitched battles because it was one of their important lairs and served as an important link between Tirah valley in Khyber Agency and North Waziristan,” the officer said, adding, that North Waziristan had now been cut off from three sides.
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February - 7 
Defense Minister Ahmad Mukhtar said on February 7 that Pakistan should reopen its Afghan border crossings to NATO supplies after negotiating a better deal with the coalition, reported Daily Times. Pakistan closed the crossings over two months ago in response to November 26, 2011 American air strikes
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Defense Minister Ahmad Mukhtar said on February 7 that Pakistan should reopen its Afghan border crossings to NATO supplies after negotiating a better deal with the coalition, reported Daily Times. Pakistan closed the crossings over two months ago in response to November 26, 2011 American air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at two border posts. The closure has forced the United States (US) to spend six times the money to send supplies to Afghanistan through alternative routes. The Defense Minister said that the Government should negotiate new “terms and conditions” with NATO, then reopen the border.
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February - 7 
Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 7 announced to set up a separate investigation elite unit and prosecution wing in Islamabad Police for speedy probe into cases and trial of criminals through collection of strong evidences against them, reports Daily Times. He made this announce
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Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 7 announced to set up a separate investigation elite unit and prosecution wing in Islamabad Police for speedy probe into cases and trial of criminals through collection of strong evidences against them, reports Daily Times. He made this announcement in Islamabad while addressing a passing-out parade of 15th lower course batch of Islamabad Police. Islamabad.
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February - 7 
Lawmaker Ejaz Virk on February 7 claimed that two Member of Parliament (MPs) entered the Parliament House in Islamabad carrying weapons, prompting Interior Minister Rehman Malik to order a probe into the matter.
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Lawmaker Ejaz Virk on February 7 claimed that two Member of Parliament (MPs) entered the Parliament House in Islamabad carrying weapons, prompting Interior Minister Rehman Malik to order a probe into the matter.
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February - 7 
Shahrah-e-Faisal Police officials said that some unidentified armed men opened aerial firing in front of Rabia City, where heavy contingents of Police rushed and concocted search operation. They detained seven suspects and recovered weapons from their possession. In addition, Pakistan Rangers Si
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Shahrah-e-Faisal Police officials said that some unidentified armed men opened aerial firing in front of Rabia City, where heavy contingents of Police rushed and concocted search operation. They detained seven suspects and recovered weapons from their possession. In addition, Pakistan Rangers Sindh in a press release said that they, in coordination with Police, conducted targeted operations and snap checking in different areas of Karachi, including Memon Goth, Gadap, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Bin Qasim Town and Sukhia Goth and arrested 11 suspects while six weapons and large quantity of ammunition were seized.
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February - 7 
The elders of Mathra village in Peshawar expressed grave concern over reports about a possible operation against suspected persons in the area and warned that the local people will strongly react if they are not taken into confidence in this regard. Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press C
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The elders of Mathra village in Peshawar expressed grave concern over reports about a possible operation against suspected persons in the area and warned that the local people will strongly react if they are not taken into confidence in this regard. Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, several elders, led by Arbab Shehryar, said that Mathra was a neglected area and successive Governments had never paid attention to its development. Flanked by Haji Sarwar Din, Juma Dad and Gulfam Khan, Shehryar claimed that the government had planned to launch operation in Frontier Region, Peshawar, and Mathra area, but the people of Mathra would create hurdles if the idea was not dropped. He said that the people of Mathra were peaceful and wanted solution to their problems.
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February - 7 
The United States (US) on February 7 briefed Pakistan on its initial contacts with the Afghan Taliban in a move which signals the easing of months-long tensions between the two allies, reported Express Tribune. The important briefing was given through Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman, w
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The United States (US) on February 7 briefed Pakistan on its initial contacts with the Afghan Taliban in a move which signals the easing of months-long tensions between the two allies, reported Express Tribune. The important briefing was given through Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman, who met key Obama administration officials recently, a Senior Government Official familiar with the development told the press. The move signifies that, despite apparent strains in their relationship, the two countries have managed to cover considerable ground to narrow down their differences, including the way forward for the Afghan endgame. The official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the subject, has confirmed that Islamabad was taken on board by Washington on its ‘exploratory talks’ with the Afghan Taliban in Qatar. However, he attempted to play down the hype, saying it was premature to suggest that the US was now willing to ‘show its cards’ on the Afghan reconciliation.
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February - 7 
While talking to Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar on February 7 at the Amiri Diwan (Emir’s Office) in the State of Qatar, Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Islamabad is in favor of a peaceful outcome of the situation in Afghanistan, but any initiative on t
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While talking to Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar on February 7 at the Amiri Diwan (Emir’s Office) in the State of Qatar, Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Islamabad is in favor of a peaceful outcome of the situation in Afghanistan, but any initiative on the neighboring country must not affect our country, reports Daily Times. The PM proposed for addressing the issues of unemployment and illiteracy in Afghanistan, which he said would help control extremism and terrorism in the long run. He said the solution to ‘the Afghan problem’ must be left with its people to decide. He said that Pakistan had paid a huge price in the war against terrorism, which incurred losses to both lives and the economy.
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February - 8 
During a public meeting to observe the 37th death anniversary of former Governor Hayat Mohammad Khan in Charsadda District on February 8, Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said that he would launch a movement to restore peace in the region, reported Dawn. H
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During a public meeting to observe the 37th death anniversary of former Governor Hayat Mohammad Khan in Charsadda District on February 8, Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao (PPP-S) Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said that he would launch a movement to restore peace in the region, reported Dawn. He said that they would take concrete steps from the platform of Qaumi Ulasi Tehreek (National People’s Movement) to ensure peace. He said that they would try to turn the war-like situation in the region into an opportunity for prosperity and development. He alleged that Federal Government meted out discriminatory treatment to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while the provincial Government was involved in the ‘wholesale’ of jobs. He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was replete with natural resources but the Government deprived its people of their due rights.
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February - 8 
Human Rights Watch (HRW), keeping a watch on gross human rights violations in Balochistan, on February 8 asked the United States (US) to take action against the crimes taking place in the province, reports Daily Times. The crimes include extra-judicial killings, torture, illegal detention, disappear
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Human Rights Watch (HRW), keeping a watch on gross human rights violations in Balochistan, on February 8 asked the United States (US) to take action against the crimes taking place in the province, reports Daily Times. The crimes include extra-judicial killings, torture, illegal detention, disappearances and forced displacement. In a detailed report compiled by HRW Pakistan Director Ali Dayan Hasan, it has been recommended that the US Government press Pakistan to take all necessary measures to end the violations and fully investigate and prosecute all those responsible for the crimes
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February - 8 
Special Investigation Unit (SIU) claimed to have arrested two suspects, identified as Arif Rahim Sajid and Amir Rasheed, in a raid conducted near Safoora Chowrangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar areas. According to SIU chief Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shahjahan Khan, the suspects confessed to have ki
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Special Investigation Unit (SIU) claimed to have arrested two suspects, identified as Arif Rahim Sajid and Amir Rasheed, in a raid conducted near Safoora Chowrangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar areas. According to SIU chief Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shahjahan Khan, the suspects confessed to have killed two men on sectarian grounds on the instructions of absconding accomplices, Haroon and Baba, in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area in July 2011. He said that the arrested men had no affiliation with any political or religious organisation and that they were paid killers.
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February - 8 
The number of Shaluber families displaced from Khyber Agency due to military operation against militants is expected to cross the 8,000 mark shortly putting relief agencies under pressure, reports Dawn. The relevant officials told the media that the influx of Shaluber displaced families had made the
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The number of Shaluber families displaced from Khyber Agency due to military operation against militants is expected to cross the 8,000 mark shortly putting relief agencies under pressure, reports Dawn. The relevant officials told the media that the influx of Shaluber displaced families had made the Jalozai camp’s administration to let the newly-registered Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) stay outside the premises if they wished. “A total of 6,179 Shaluber families have so far been registered at the Jalozai camp and around 2,000 more are expected to seek IDP status in the days to come,” said Adnan Khan, a spokesman for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). According to an official, PDMA had initially been asked by the Khyber Agency administration for making arrangements at the camp for 3,000 to 5,000 Shaluber families.
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February - 9 
Accusing Pakistan of using brutal force in Balochistan, US lawmakers on February 9 expressed serious concern over the human rights violations in the restive province, reports The Times of India. "Balochistan deserves our attention because it is a turbulent land marked by human rights violations com
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Accusing Pakistan of using brutal force in Balochistan, US lawmakers on February 9 expressed serious concern over the human rights violations in the restive province, reports The Times of India. "Balochistan deserves our attention because it is a turbulent land marked by human rights violations committed by regimes that are hostile to America's interests and values," said Congressman and Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Dana Rohrabacher. Stating that Islamabad has refused to concede any legitimacy to Baloch nationalism or to engage the Baloch leadership in serious negotiations, Rohrabacher said, "Its response has been based on brute force, including extra-judicial killings." Another Congressman Ted Poe from Texas said that the current situation in Baluchistan fits into the category of self-determination. "I'm a great believer in self-determination for people who believe in it as well. Balochistan, I think, fits that category", he said
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February - 9 
Foreign Office looked satisfied with the US State Department’s clarification on the Congressional hearing on Balochistan even as legislators protested on the issue in the Senate. “The US State Department understands our position,” Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said.
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Foreign Office looked satisfied with the US State Department’s clarification on the Congressional hearing on Balochistan even as legislators protested on the issue in the Senate. “The US State Department understands our position,” Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said.
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February - 9 
President Asif Ali Zardari on February 9 said that war on drugs trafficking was a major missing element in the war on terror, reported Express Tribune. While commenting on the fight against militancy he said that defeat was not an option and that we (Pakistan) had no other option except to fight and
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President Asif Ali Zardari on February 9 said that war on drugs trafficking was a major missing element in the war on terror, reported Express Tribune. While commenting on the fight against militancy he said that defeat was not an option and that we (Pakistan) had no other option except to fight and defeat this mind-set so as to leave a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pakistan for our coming generations. He said that during meetings with foreign delegations, it had been pointed out that drug trafficking was the major missing element in the war on terror which he said was a great source of funding for the militants. He said that drug trafficking, as the source of militancy funding, was one of the major issues in the region and needed to be curbed.
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February - 9 
The Afghan-Pakistan jihad (holy war) is attracting fewer foreign fighters following the death of Osama bin Laden, the growing threat posed by United States (US) drones, and lack of funds, Western security officials said on February 9, reports Express Tribune. While no precise figure is available, it
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The Afghan-Pakistan jihad (holy war) is attracting fewer foreign fighters following the death of Osama bin Laden, the growing threat posed by United States (US) drones, and lack of funds, Western security officials said on February 9, reports Express Tribune. While no precise figure is available, it would appear that the number of would-be jihadists from abroad has been drying up, according to one security official who declined to be named. However, more Pakistanis are willing to take up the fight and make up the numbers, he also warned.
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February - 9 
The Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said on February 9 that Pakistan will host a two-day summit on counter-terrorism on February 16-17, 2012 involving leaders of Afghanistan and Iran, reports Express Tribune. Basit said that it will be attended by Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Irania
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The Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said on February 9 that Pakistan will host a two-day summit on counter-terrorism on February 16-17, 2012 involving leaders of Afghanistan and Iran, reports Express Tribune. Basit said that it will be attended by Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. “The trilateral summit is important for the leaders to get together and discuss important regional issues pertaining to counter-terrorism and organised crimes including drug trafficking,” Basit added.
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February - 9 
The United States (US) drones hitting targets on Pakistani territory is illegal, and reports of alleged involvement of Inter-States Intelligence (ISI) with the Taliban are not even worthy of comment, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on February 9, reports Daily Times. “Attacks by US drones on
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The United States (US) drones hitting targets on Pakistani territory is illegal, and reports of alleged involvement of Inter-States Intelligence (ISI) with the Taliban are not even worthy of comment, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on February 9, reports Daily Times. “Attacks by US drones on Pakistani territory are illegal and cannot be tolerated,” Khar said in an interview to a Russian english news channel, RT. She said the US attacks promote extremist moods in the region. “Drones are not only completely illegal and unlawful and have no authorisation to be used within the domains of international law but even more importantly, they are counter-productive to the objective of getting this region rid of militancy, terrorism and extremism,” Khar said. “Because if one strike leads to getting you target number one or target number three today, you are creating five more targets or 10 more targets in the militancy that it breeds in the fodder that it gives to the militants to attract more people to join their ranks,” the Foreign Minister said.
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February - 9 
United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter on February 9 while speaking with reporters at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts in Islamabad, revealed that supply to NATO in Afghanistan is continuing by using Pakistani air space, reports Daily Times. He said that both Pakistan and
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United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter on February 9 while speaking with reporters at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts in Islamabad, revealed that supply to NATO in Afghanistan is continuing by using Pakistani air space, reports Daily Times. He said that both Pakistan and US have to work together to improve their relations and resolve the issues. To a question about reports that the US was mulling apology for the NATO attack on November 26, the ambassador said that his country’s officials have said this was a tragic accident and it happened unintentionally. “We must work together to avoid Salala like incidents,” he said. He said that enhanced consultation among NATO, Afghanistan and Pakistan was essential for coordination along bordering areas.
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February - 10 
Dissatisfied with Rehman Malik’s statement the opposition senators, including those from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) walked out from the House against the Government’s decision of allowing NATO supplies through Pakistani air
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Dissatisfied with Rehman Malik’s statement the opposition senators, including those from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jama’at-e-Islami (JeI) walked out from the House against the Government’s decision of allowing NATO supplies through Pakistani airspace, reported Daily Times. PML-N Senator Zafar Ali Shah said that the Parliament and the nation collectively decided to halt all kind of supplies from Pakistan after the Salala border post attack. This is a matter of shame for the Government, which continued NATO supplies secretly
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February - 10 
Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 10 categorically refuted the February 9, 2012 claim by United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, that Pakistani airspace is being used to send in supplies to NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, reports Express Tribune. “NATO su
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Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on February 10 categorically refuted the February 9, 2012 claim by United States (US) Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, that Pakistani airspace is being used to send in supplies to NATO forces stationed in Afghanistan, reports Express Tribune. “NATO supplies have not been restored and no airport or airbase in Pakistan has been allowed for use to resume supply to Western forces,” Malik told the Senate.
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February - 10 
Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mufti Kifayatullah denied his involvement in a murder committed in Mansehra and described it an attempt to drive him out of politics.
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Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mufti Kifayatullah denied his involvement in a murder committed in Mansehra and described it an attempt to drive him out of politics.
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February - 10 
Rehman Malik said that PKR 14.59 billion were spent in 2011 on personnel of Frontier Corps (FC) and Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) deployed in insurgency-hit Balochistan, reports Express Tribune. He said that 48,928 FC men and 2,057 PCG personnel have been deployed in the province. Talking about the Ba
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Rehman Malik said that PKR 14.59 billion were spent in 2011 on personnel of Frontier Corps (FC) and Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) deployed in insurgency-hit Balochistan, reports Express Tribune. He said that 48,928 FC men and 2,057 PCG personnel have been deployed in the province. Talking about the Balochistan Package, he said that 85% of the package had been implemented. Absolving the army and paramilitary forces of the charges of abducting and killing people in Balochistan, Rehman Malik held a third force responsible for the volatile situation in the province, adds Dawn. “Not the Army or the FC, but a third force is disturbing law and order situation in Balochistan,” Malik siad.
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February - 10 
Speaking at a monthly crime meeting Mansehra, District Police Officer Ijaz Ahmad Khan said that a committee of Ulema would be formed soon to work for maintaining sectarian harmony in the Mansehra District.
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Speaking at a monthly crime meeting Mansehra, District Police Officer Ijaz Ahmad Khan said that a committee of Ulema would be formed soon to work for maintaining sectarian harmony in the Mansehra District.
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February - 10 
Two Afghan officials on February 10 said that Pakistan had arrested two suspects from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, in connection with the September 20, 2011 assassination of former Afghan President and head of the Government-appointed Peace Council, Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was try
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Two Afghan officials on February 10 said that Pakistan had arrested two suspects from Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, in connection with the September 20, 2011 assassination of former Afghan President and head of the Government-appointed Peace Council, Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was trying to broker a peace deal with the Afghan Taliban, reported Daily Times. However, the Police chief in Quetta and the spokesman for the Frontier Corps (FC) said they had not heard of the alleged arrests. A special commission that Afghan President Hamid Karzai appointed to investigate Rabbani’s death concluded that the attack was planned in Quetta and that the primary assailant was a Pakistani citizen. The commission gave Pakistani authorities the names, addresses and phone numbers of people in Pakistan suspected of being involved in plotting the assassination. One of the two Afghan officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive case, said two individuals were arrested in Quetta last week.
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February - 11 
A Police official said, “to treat them as prime suspects would be wrong. We have no evidence to suggest that they were involved in the murder even though they could have certain issues with him.” Both suspects belonged to Faisalabad, the former minister’s native city. They had differences with Bhatt
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A Police official said, “to treat them as prime suspects would be wrong. We have no evidence to suggest that they were involved in the murder even though they could have certain issues with him.” Both suspects belonged to Faisalabad, the former minister’s native city. They had differences with Bhatti over property issues, “but they were not capable of carrying out such a high-profile assassination,” added the official.
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February - 11 
Balochistan Government termed reports about involvement of some Provincial Ministers in abduction for ransom and smuggling baseless. In a statement a spokesman for the Provincial Government denied a report published in some newspapers and said: “The Provincial Government considers the act of kidnapp
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Balochistan Government termed reports about involvement of some Provincial Ministers in abduction for ransom and smuggling baseless. In a statement a spokesman for the Provincial Government denied a report published in some newspapers and said: “The Provincial Government considers the act of kidnapping for ransom a hateful and heinous crime.” He said that such crimes were not happening only in Balochistan, but other provinces were also facing these problems. The Provincial Government was taking concrete measures to overcome the menace, he added.
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February - 11 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on February 11 said that the Provincial Government was ready to talk with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the sake of regional peace and future of young generation, but it will only be possible if TTP laid down arms and accepted Governmen
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on February 11 said that the Provincial Government was ready to talk with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the sake of regional peace and future of young generation, but it will only be possible if TTP laid down arms and accepted Government writ, reports Daily Times. He offered clemency for the blood of innocent people if the TTP abandoned their anti-state acts and pledged to accept writ of the land. The chief minister said, “We are ready to pardon the blood of our friends, party workers and even attacks on our female family members if the Taliban become patriotic Pakistanis.” The CM, though, offered pardon to Taliban for laying down arms, and also made it clear that if the TTP did not surrender, the government would not sit quiet until the last Taliban fighter was brought to justice.
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February - 12 
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 12 said US drone strikes targeting al Qaeda and Taliban militants are counter-productive and his Government has not given permission for such attacks, reports Dawn. “First of all I want to inform you that we did not allow or give permission to fly drones
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Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 12 said US drone strikes targeting al Qaeda and Taliban militants are counter-productive and his Government has not given permission for such attacks, reports Dawn. “First of all I want to inform you that we did not allow or give permission to fly drones from Pakistan,” Mr Gilani told Al Jazeera television. “Drones are counter-productive and we have discussed it thoroughly with the US administration.” He said the “collateral damage” from drone attacks was counter-productive because it undermined his Government’s efforts to separate tribes from militants, and also violated Pakistan’s sovereignty. Mr Gilani said former military ruler Pervez Musharraf had “some understanding” on drone attacks with the United States.
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February - 12 
Quoting Ali Dayan Hassan, the Pakistan Director for a United States (US)-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) organisation, on February 12 Dawn reported that the human rights violations in Balochistan cannot be swept under the carpet as an internal issue. “Human rights abuses come under a universal jurisd
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Quoting Ali Dayan Hassan, the Pakistan Director for a United States (US)-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) organisation, on February 12 Dawn reported that the human rights violations in Balochistan cannot be swept under the carpet as an internal issue. “Human rights abuses come under a universal jurisdiction. A torturer can be held responsible anywhere in the world,” Dayan said.
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February - 13 
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on February 13 made it clear that only 18 percent of the budget was being spent on the armed forces, and of this allocation, the Army got only 8 to 9 percent, reports Daily Times. Kayani said the reports that more than 50 percent of the bud
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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on February 13 made it clear that only 18 percent of the budget was being spent on the armed forces, and of this allocation, the Army got only 8 to 9 percent, reports Daily Times. Kayani said the reports that more than 50 percent of the budget was allocated to the armed forces were baseless and without any foundation, adding that figures being given in TV talk shows were contrary to facts. He pointed out that in fact, due to inflation and depreciation of rupee against the dollar, defence budget had gone down. COAS said the armed forces did not get USD 1.5 billion of the coalition support fund.
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February - 14 
Haleemzai tribesmen have again formed an armed lashkar, after a break of three years, to take action against militants in their area in Mohmand Agency. The chief of Haleemzai Peace Committee, Malik Mohammad Ali, said on February 14 that armed volunteers would take positions on hilltops to check move
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Haleemzai tribesmen have again formed an armed lashkar, after a break of three years, to take action against militants in their area in Mohmand Agency. The chief of Haleemzai Peace Committee, Malik Mohammad Ali, said on February 14 that armed volunteers would take positions on hilltops to check movement of anti-state elements. He said that all the 35 wanted men would be handed over to the administration soon. The volunteers of the peace committee made announcements through loudspeakers and asked the wanted tribesmen to surrender to the Government within a week otherwise they would take action against them. Assistant Political Agent Rasool Khan, when contacted, said that more than 100 tribesmen had joined the lashkar as members.
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February - 14 
Islamabad publicly admitted on February 14 that it had allowed NATO to use Pakistan’s airspace to fly supplies into Afghanistan, despite a more than two-month blockade on the border crossings, reports Daily Times. “Pakistan has allowed the United States (US) and NATO to use its airspace for supplies
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Islamabad publicly admitted on February 14 that it had allowed NATO to use Pakistan’s airspace to fly supplies into Afghanistan, despite a more than two-month blockade on the border crossings, reports Daily Times. “Pakistan has allowed the United States (US) and NATO to use its airspace for supplies to their forces in Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds. The permission has been given for food items,” a Defense Ministry official quoted Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar as saying at a function in Islamabad. “Since the food items were perishable, we have allowed them to transport them by air to Afghanistan. We have told them to take the supplies out by air and don’t bring more for the time being,” the official quoted him as saying.
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February - 14 
The United States (US) Ambassador Cameron Munter on February 14 said that Pakistani politicians don't want Americans to go away from their country, reports The News. During his lecture at Harvard Kennedy School, Munter said that the relationship between Central Investigation Agency (CIA) and Inter-s
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The United States (US) Ambassador Cameron Munter on February 14 said that Pakistani politicians don't want Americans to go away from their country, reports The News. During his lecture at Harvard Kennedy School, Munter said that the relationship between Central Investigation Agency (CIA) and Inter-states Intelligence (ISI) were still intact. "The CIA-ISI relationship is still cooperative," Munter said. "The Pakistani government realizes that we have a lot in common on counter-terrorism and we still have a decent relationship with the intelligence." But this may change when Director General of ISI Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, announces his retirement, Munter added.
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February - 15 
Butt told Geo News that he had been misquoted in the article but refused to give details of what he had said which could have been misconstrued. Butt was appointed to head the ISI by Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and served at the post from 1997 to 1999. He was the first head of the Army’s Stra
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Butt told Geo News that he had been misquoted in the article but refused to give details of what he had said which could have been misconstrued. Butt was appointed to head the ISI by Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and served at the post from 1997 to 1999. He was the first head of the Army’s Strategic Plans Division, which controls the nuclear arsenal.
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February - 15 
Former President General Pervez Musharraf was aware of Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad location and the safe house where he was sheltered was built by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), The Express Tribune quoting a former ISI chief General (retd) Ziauddin Khwaja reported. In an article for American ne
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Former President General Pervez Musharraf was aware of Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad location and the safe house where he was sheltered was built by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), The Express Tribune quoting a former ISI chief General (retd) Ziauddin Khwaja reported. In an article for American news website The Daily Beast, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official Bruce Riedel quoted former Director General of the ISI General (retd) Ziauddin Khwaja as saying that Musharraf “knew Bin Laden was in Abbottabad”. Musharraf has earlier categorically denied having knowledge of Bin Laden’s location or that the terrorist was in Pakistan. Khwaja, also known as Ziauddin Butt, allegedly said that Bin Laden’s safe house in Abbottabad “was made to order” by Brigadier Ijaz Shah, a former head of the Intelligence Bureau. “Ziauddin says Ijaz Shah was responsible for setting up Bin Laden in Abbottabad, ensuring his safety and keeping him hidden from the outside. And Ziauddin says Musharraf knew all about it,” Riedel wrote in the article. Shah, who the assassinated Premier Benazir Bhutto had linked to a failed plot to kill her, has been closely linked to Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, a British-born Kashmiri terrorist who was imprisoned in India in 1994 for kidnapping three Britons and an American. Saeed was part of the plot to kidnap journalist Daniel Pearl and turned himself in to Shah.
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February - 15 
Home Secretary Naseebullah Bazai, quoting the report, said that the Government had arrested 31 people in connection with abductions for ransoms. “Law-enforcing agencies often arrest the culprits but they are set free due to lack of evidence,” he told the committee. He also added in his report that i
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Home Secretary Naseebullah Bazai, quoting the report, said that the Government had arrested 31 people in connection with abductions for ransoms. “Law-enforcing agencies often arrest the culprits but they are set free due to lack of evidence,” he told the committee. He also added in his report that incidents of targeted killings had declined relatively during the past one year.
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February - 15 
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the Government would soon convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss and address issues of Balochistan, particularly the law and order situation in the province.“There is a law and order situation in Balochistan, which has to be addressed. We are a
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Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the Government would soon convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss and address issues of Balochistan, particularly the law and order situation in the province.“There is a law and order situation in Balochistan, which has to be addressed. We are also talking with the coalition partners in this respect,” Gilani said.
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February - 15 
The Government and the people of Swat will not let militants regroup in the valley, said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on February 15, reports Dawn. He said this while addressing a 150-member Swat representative jirga (tribal council) during a meeting in Peshawar. The chie
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The Government and the people of Swat will not let militants regroup in the valley, said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on February 15, reports Dawn. He said this while addressing a 150-member Swat representative jirga (tribal council) during a meeting in Peshawar. The chief minister said that militants had fled Swat to Afghanistan after the Government’s successful crackdown but carried out attacks in Dir and Chitral Districts from there. He said the Government and brave people of Swat were on alert and would thwart any move by militants to regroup in the valley. Mr Hoti said the process of rehabilitation, reconstruction and development was in full swing along with operation against militancy. He said the way people of Swat had faced militancy and flooding was matchless.
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February - 16 
Khyber Agency Political Agent Motahir Zeb said that the Government was eager to clear the areas of Khyber Agency of militants to restore peace and establish writ of the Government so that people could lead a peaceful life.
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Khyber Agency Political Agent Motahir Zeb said that the Government was eager to clear the areas of Khyber Agency of militants to restore peace and establish writ of the Government so that people could lead a peaceful life.
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February - 16 
President Zardari said Pakistan had always desired a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan as it was in Pakistan’s own national interest, and assured continued support to every effort aimed at restoring peace and stability. He reiterated Pakistan’s principled stand of supporting an Afghan-led
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President Zardari said Pakistan had always desired a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan as it was in Pakistan’s own national interest, and assured continued support to every effort aimed at restoring peace and stability. He reiterated Pakistan’s principled stand of supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned political process of reconciliation and peace in the country. The spokesman quoted President Zardari as saying that multifaceted cooperation among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran was essential to address the challenges and exploit opportunities in the region. He expressed the hope that the trilateral summit would be a significant step in promoting the agenda of regional peace, stability and prosperity.
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February - 16 
The chairman of US Senate Committee on Armed Services, Senator Carl Levin, said on February 16 that Pakistan’s links to various terrorist groups and its role in the reconciliation process gives it the power to influence outcomes in Afghanistan. The Senate Committee on Armed Services, during a specia
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The chairman of US Senate Committee on Armed Services, Senator Carl Levin, said on February 16 that Pakistan’s links to various terrorist groups and its role in the reconciliation process gives it the power to influence outcomes in Afghanistan. The Senate Committee on Armed Services, during a special hearing on worldwide threats to US interests, also learned that the US could not succeed in Afghanistan without support from Pakistan. The committee’s chairman Senator Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat, set the tone of the discussion on Pakistan by telling the panel that security in Afghanistan would “remain in jeopardy” so long as there were sanctuaries in Pakistan for insurgents conducting cross-border attacks. “Pakistan’s support to the Haqqani Network is a major cause for US-Pakistan relations reaching a low point where they’re going to remain until the Pakistan military ends its ties to these extremists carrying out cross-border attacks,” he said. “And we need to understand the intelligence community’s assessment of Pakistan’s strategy with respect to these insurgent groups and the reconciliation process as to Pakistan’s power to determine outcomes,” said the senator.
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February - 16 
The United States (US) Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on February 16 said that al Qaeda is the primary enemy of US in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and that part of the Taliban who support al Qaeda is also American target, reported Indian Express. "The Taliban is a very broad group. Our primary en
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The United States (US) Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on February 16 said that al Qaeda is the primary enemy of US in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and that part of the Taliban who support al Qaeda is also American target, reported Indian Express. "The Taliban is a very broad group. Our primary enemy in that part of the world is al Qaeda. The Taliban elements, the terrorist elements that support al Qaeda are also our enemy," Panetta said, adding, "And there are some elements, obviously, of the Taliban that support al Qaeda. And those are the ones that we've been targeting"."Our goal is to make sure that they never again can establish a safe haven in Afghanistan from which to conduct attacks on this country, and that remains our primary goal," he added.
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February - 17 
Spokesperson for Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JuD) Yahya Mujahid said on February 17 that the founder of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) Malik Ishaq was present on the stage of the Defense of Pakistan Council (DPC) rally in Multan District, reports Express Tribune. Mujahid contradicted ex-spymaster Hamid Gul’s statemen
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Spokesperson for Jama’at-ud-Dawa (JuD) Yahya Mujahid said on February 17 that the founder of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) Malik Ishaq was present on the stage of the Defense of Pakistan Council (DPC) rally in Multan District, reports Express Tribune. Mujahid contradicted ex-spymaster Hamid Gul’s statement in a TV interview in which he had denied Ishaq’s presence, going as far as calling a photo in The Express Tribune “doctored” and then questioning the credibility of the paper’s reporter. Mujahid said Hamid Gul was wrong, and added that it was the DPC’s unanimous decision that Ishaq will not address the rally.
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February - 17 
Addressing a press conference along with his Afghan and Iranian counterparts, Zardari vowed to fight the external pressure on the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, saying that the “external forces can’t undermine bilateral relations”. The president also denied any double game of Pakistani security agencie
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Addressing a press conference along with his Afghan and Iranian counterparts, Zardari vowed to fight the external pressure on the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, saying that the “external forces can’t undermine bilateral relations”. The president also denied any double game of Pakistani security agencies in the Afghan conflict. He, however, indicated that some non-state actors might create disturbance in the neighbouring country. “I deny this notion that any of our armed forces are directly or indirectly involved,” Zardari said, adding there is a residue in Pakistan of the war that was fought against the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan – a reference to Pakistan’s involvement in the 1980s war.
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February - 17 
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said it would be “preposterous” for Afghanistan to expect Islamabad to deliver the Taliban’s leader to the negotiating table, as talks between the two countries on the peace process ended with little sign of progress. The apparent gridlock shows the difficulties in
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Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said it would be “preposterous” for Afghanistan to expect Islamabad to deliver the Taliban’s leader to the negotiating table, as talks between the two countries on the peace process ended with little sign of progress. The apparent gridlock shows the difficulties inherent in the peace process, which the United States is strongly pushing as a way to end the 10-year-old Afghan war and allow it to withdraw most of its combat troops by 2014 without the country further descending into chaos. Pakistan is seen as key to the process because Afghan Taliban Chief Mullah Omar and other senior commanders are believed to be based in the country. Islamabad denies that the Taliban leadership is based within its borders.
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February - 17 
JuD called statements of the United States (US) State Department, which called on Pakistan to put curbs on the group in compliance with international sanctions, as disrespecting the Supreme Court of Pakistan. A spokesperson for the JuD claimed that the group has never been banned in Pakistan and had
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JuD called statements of the United States (US) State Department, which called on Pakistan to put curbs on the group in compliance with international sanctions, as disrespecting the Supreme Court of Pakistan. A spokesperson for the JuD claimed that the group has never been banned in Pakistan and had won legal independence by the Supreme Court of Pakistan because they were working for the welfare of Pakistan. JuD defended their chief Hafiz Saeed, insisting that he was a respectable and independent citizen of Pakistan.
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February - 17 
leaders of Kachchi Rabita Committee (KRC) demanded construction of Police check posts in Lyari area on permanent basis to stop influx of gangsters and restore Government writ in the area, reported Daily Times. A leader of KRC Hussain Kachchi, along with Akhtar Kachchi and other KRC leaders demanded
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leaders of Kachchi Rabita Committee (KRC) demanded construction of Police check posts in Lyari area on permanent basis to stop influx of gangsters and restore Government writ in the area, reported Daily Times. A leader of KRC Hussain Kachchi, along with Akhtar Kachchi and other KRC leaders demanded this while addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club. He said, “PAC, which is a group of gangsters, though banned by the Federal Government, is still carrying out its criminal activities in Lyari and Police and the LEAs seem to be helpless”. He alleged that the PAC, which is headed by Uzair Baloch and Zafar Baloch, was using the name of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to give cover to their illegal activities, including kidnapping for ransom, looting, thefts, and collecting extortion money. “They have made the lives of residents of Lyari miserable”, said Hussain, adding that since April 2009 over 70 people of KRC had been killed in Lyari, while the target killings had claimed lives of 600 people of Lyari.
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February - 18 
Prime Minister (PM) Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 18 said he was dismayed to learn about the bill on Balochistan in United States (US) House for espousing “self determination”, since it constituted challenging Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reports Dawn. Republican Dana Rohrabach
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Prime Minister (PM) Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 18 said he was dismayed to learn about the bill on Balochistan in United States (US) House for espousing “self determination”, since it constituted challenging Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, reports Dawn. Republican Dana Rohrabacher moved the bill in the House of Representatives on February 17, 2012. An excerpt from the draft resolution read: “The Baloch people have the right to self-determination and to their own sovereign country and they should be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.” The PM clarified Pakistan’s position on restoration of US and NATO supplies. “If we can take extreme measures like stopping NATO supplies and declining to attend a conference (in Bonn) on Afghanistan, we can take any action and decision in the national interest,” he said. However, when a questioner pointed out that Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar had recently told media that NATO supplies had been restored, Yousuf Raza Gilani asked him to put the question to the Minister.
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February - 20 
Baloch nationalist leader Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that Balochistan was being run by Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) for all practical purposes for the last 15 years with no civilian control over governance in the volatile province, reported Dawn. He rejected Chief of the Army Staff Gen
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Baloch nationalist leader Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo said that Balochistan was being run by Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) for all practical purposes for the last 15 years with no civilian control over governance in the volatile province, reported Dawn. He rejected Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani’s claim that Army was not involved in the disappearance of people and murder of activists whose decomposed bodies are found dumped at desolate places. He said it was an undeniable fact that the voices of independence were gaining momentum in the province with the active involvement of the youth. Denial of socio-economic rights is the main reason for this and addressing the root cause is inevitable to arrest the deteriorating situation before it is too late. Bizenjo said the episode of abductions and bullet-riddled bodies must stop and the executive should exercise its powers of governance encompassing the foreign policy.
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February - 20 
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Balochistan was Pakistan’s internal matter and the province’s elected representatives would act to resolve its issues and not US congressmen, reports The News. Condemning US resolution on Balochistan, she said such acts of “foolhardy-global-vigilantism” c
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Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Balochistan was Pakistan’s internal matter and the province’s elected representatives would act to resolve its issues and not US congressmen, reports The News. Condemning US resolution on Balochistan, she said such acts of “foolhardy-global-vigilantism” could only aggravate Pakistan’s already estranged ties with US. “It would distance the two allies even further”, said Khar.
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February - 20 
Islamabad on February 20 summoned United States (US) Charge d’Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland and a ‘strong protest was lodged’ with him over a resolution submitted to the US House of Representatives on Balochsitan, the Foreign Ministry said. Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Oversight and Inves
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Islamabad on February 20 summoned United States (US) Charge d’Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland and a ‘strong protest was lodged’ with him over a resolution submitted to the US House of Representatives on Balochsitan, the Foreign Ministry said. Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Oversight and Investigations of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, Dana Rohrabacher, earlier, introduced a House Concurrent Resolution, in support of the “right of self-determination of the Baloch people, for being victims of human rights violations and oppression despite being the largest province.”
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February - 20 
The TTP say that the kidnappings earn valuable funds and leverage to free imprisoned fighters. Pakistani and foreign militant commanders, in Waziristan, give the orders, but it is a combination of hired criminals and “Punjabi Taliban” who snatch hostages. Ransom demands range between USD 500,000 and
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The TTP say that the kidnappings earn valuable funds and leverage to free imprisoned fighters. Pakistani and foreign militant commanders, in Waziristan, give the orders, but it is a combination of hired criminals and “Punjabi Taliban” who snatch hostages. Ransom demands range between USD 500,000 and USD 2.2 million. The kidnappings have reached figures of 467 in 2011, according to the Interior Ministry figures. "Waziristan is very safe for the Taliban; the place is crawling with them. Even the non-Taliban carries weapons so it's hard to know who is who," said a freed hostage.
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February - 21 
He said Baitullah Mahsud, Ilyas Kashmiri, and al Qaeda leader Abu Ubaidullah Misri were involved in the assassination plan and no less than 27 terrorist outfits had come together under the umbrella of TTP to assassinate Benazir, adds Daily Times. He revealed that the attack had been planned in Akora
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He said Baitullah Mahsud, Ilyas Kashmiri, and al Qaeda leader Abu Ubaidullah Misri were involved in the assassination plan and no less than 27 terrorist outfits had come together under the umbrella of TTP to assassinate Benazir, adds Daily Times. He revealed that the attack had been planned in Akora Khattak area of Nowshera District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by former students of Madrassa Darul Uloom Haqqania, and one of the prime suspects in the case informed investigators that Benazir had been targeted due to her stance over the Lal Masjid Operation in Islamabad.
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February - 21 
Praising the tabling of a resolution on Balochistan in United States (US) Congress, the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) on February 21 urged the Baloch people to unite and continue their struggle for independence, reported Dawn. BRP central organising committee’s spokesman Sher Mohammad Bugti said in
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Praising the tabling of a resolution on Balochistan in United States (US) Congress, the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) on February 21 urged the Baloch people to unite and continue their struggle for independence, reported Dawn. BRP central organising committee’s spokesman Sher Mohammad Bugti said in a statement that introduction of the resolution demanding an independent Balochistan was the result of continuing struggle of the Baloch people against “their enemy”.
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February - 21 
Reacting to the Interior Minister’s briefing on Benazir Bhutto case, Pervez Musharraf strongly denied his involvement in the assassination of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) former chairperson Benazir Bhutto. Talking to the media, Musharraf said that he had informed Benazir about the threats to her li
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Reacting to the Interior Minister’s briefing on Benazir Bhutto case, Pervez Musharraf strongly denied his involvement in the assassination of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) former chairperson Benazir Bhutto. Talking to the media, Musharraf said that he had informed Benazir about the threats to her life before the first attack, adding that it was not his duty to provide security to her. “The United Nations’ report on Benazir’s killing is baseless,” he said.
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February - 21 
Rejecting Rehman Malik’s charges of his students’ involvement in Benazir’s assassination, chief cleric of the Darul Uloom Haqqania, Maulana Samiul Haq, asked the Interior Minister to “prove them guilty.” “I have asked the Government and security officials several times to take concrete steps to prov
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Rejecting Rehman Malik’s charges of his students’ involvement in Benazir’s assassination, chief cleric of the Darul Uloom Haqqania, Maulana Samiul Haq, asked the Interior Minister to “prove them guilty.” “I have asked the Government and security officials several times to take concrete steps to prove the accused students guilty, instead of leveling allegations against them,” said Haq.
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February - 21 
The tribal elders from Kurram Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) during press conference at Peshawar Press Club in Peshawar expressed concern over deteriorating security situation in the tribal region and demanded of the authorities to take proactive steps for maintenance of lastin
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The tribal elders from Kurram Agency in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) during press conference at Peshawar Press Club in Peshawar expressed concern over deteriorating security situation in the tribal region and demanded of the authorities to take proactive steps for maintenance of lasting peace, reported Dawn. Addressing the conference Allama Abid Hussain Shakri, a tribal elder, said that the situation got worse following suicide attack in the region few days ago. He criticised political administration and Law Enforcement Agencies in the turbulent agency for poor security arrangements.
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February - 21 
US State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, “We encourage all parties in Balochistan to work out their differences peacefully and through a political process,” reports Daily Times. “The US respects the territorial integrity of Pakistan. Members of Congress introduce legislations on many f
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US State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, “We encourage all parties in Balochistan to work out their differences peacefully and through a political process,” reports Daily Times. “The US respects the territorial integrity of Pakistan. Members of Congress introduce legislations on many foreign affairs topics. But they do not in any way imply US Government endorsement of those positions. And we don’t generally comment on pending legislations,” Nuland said.
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February - 21 
Afghan officials are holding talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the head of Kandahar Peace Council, Ata Mohammad Ahmadi said on February 21 in Kandahar province of Afghanistan, reports Dawn. Ahmadi said the officials had been meeting for “some time” with mid-level TTP commanders in Que
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Afghan officials are holding talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the head of Kandahar Peace Council, Ata Mohammad Ahmadi said on February 21 in Kandahar province of Afghanistan, reports Dawn. Ahmadi said the officials had been meeting for “some time” with mid-level TTP commanders in Quetta, where the leadership of the militant group is reported to be based. “In the last 10 days, our peace council delegation has gone to Quetta three times in twos and threes,” he said.
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February - 22 
Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman on February 22 said that the United States (US) should compel India to stop atrocities in Indian administered Kashmir rather than taking up the Balochistan issue, reported Express Tribune. The JUI-F Chief, who is also the Chairman of the
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Jama’at Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman on February 22 said that the United States (US) should compel India to stop atrocities in Indian administered Kashmir rather than taking up the Balochistan issue, reported Express Tribune. The JUI-F Chief, who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, has given this statement at a time when an Indian parliamentary delegation is visiting Pakistan. “Why is America silent over the killings of Kashmiris, even though Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is an internationally recognized disputed territory,” he asked. “America is discussing Balochistan in its parliamentary hearings, although, it is an integral part of Pakistan,” he said, adding, “It is clearly interference in the internal matters of Pakistan.” He said the US has incriminated Doctor Ghulam Nabi Fai to please India, while he was projecting the Kashmir issue there. India has been killing Kashmiris since 1947, he said, adding that the world powers were silent spectators in the meanwhile.
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February - 22 
Pakistan will give its full support to any clear effort by the Afghan Government to achieve a political settlement with the Taliban but does not want to lead a peace process that would impose a solution, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on February 22 during a speech at Chatham House, an inte
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Pakistan will give its full support to any clear effort by the Afghan Government to achieve a political settlement with the Taliban but does not want to lead a peace process that would impose a solution, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on February 22 during a speech at Chatham House, an international relations think tank in London, reports Dawn. FM Khar said Afghans were tired of attempts by other countries to take charge of their affairs and, for the good of future bilateral ties, Pakistan should not be seen to be interfering too closely. “We will support any (peace efforts) that are Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-driven. This is our first and last pre-requisite,” Khar said, adding, “But we will not lead. We cannot lead … We will only follow what our Afghan brothers and sisters decide is the course of action they will adopt”.
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February - 22 
Supporting the United States (US) congressional bill on Balochistan, Baloch Republican Party’s (BRP) self-exiled chief Brahamdagh Bugti on February 22 welcomed all foreign intervention in the province whether it is by the US, NATO or India, reports Express Tribune. “America must intervene in Balochi
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Supporting the United States (US) congressional bill on Balochistan, Baloch Republican Party’s (BRP) self-exiled chief Brahamdagh Bugti on February 22 welcomed all foreign intervention in the province whether it is by the US, NATO or India, reports Express Tribune. “America must intervene in Balochistan and stop the ethnic cleansing of Baloch people,” said Brahamdagh, during his telephonic address at the Quetta Press Club in Quetta, adding, “We know that foreign countries have their personal interest but we must think of our greater interest.” “Baloch women, political leaders, activists, students, writers, poets, professors and intellectuals are being subjected to enforced disappearances and undergoing torture for years. Their mutilated bodies turn up daily. Under such circumstances, we will welcome the support of foreign countries,” he said. “We have been accused of getting support from India but the Baloch movement does not have any foreign support. However, we will welcome any support for independence,” added Bugti.
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February - 23 
Condemning the Pakistani Government for accusing India of creating unrest in Balochistan, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Provincial President Shahzain Bugti on February 23 said it was Pakistan’s intelligence agencies that were responsible for killings and abductions in the province, reported Express Tri
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Condemning the Pakistani Government for accusing India of creating unrest in Balochistan, Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Provincial President Shahzain Bugti on February 23 said it was Pakistan’s intelligence agencies that were responsible for killings and abductions in the province, reported Express Tribune. He said the Government should name the Indians involved if it have any solid proof and if it had no proof it should stop “repeating India’s name like a parrot”. While talking to the media at Jamia Naeemia in Lahore District of Punjab Bugti proposed eight-point demands to develop trust between Balochistan and Islamabad. He said without removing the trust deficit, there should be no All Parties Conference or any package for Balochistan.
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February - 23 
He said the Federal Government can restore the trust of Balochis within 72 hours. To achieve this, Bugti said General Pervez Musharraf should be arrested in the Akbar Bugti murder case; military operation should be stopped and all forces should be withdrawn from Balochistan; controversial security p
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He said the Federal Government can restore the trust of Balochis within 72 hours. To achieve this, Bugti said General Pervez Musharraf should be arrested in the Akbar Bugti murder case; military operation should be stopped and all forces should be withdrawn from Balochistan; controversial security posts should be abolished from Balochistan; the killing of innocent people should end; 13,000 missing persons of Balochistan should be traced; the role of Intelligence Agencies in Balochistan should come to a close; any Baloch being prevented from returning to their homes by Intelligence Agencies should be allowed to go back, and the responsible officials of Intelligence Agencies who carried out the attack on Chief of Baloch Republican Party (BRP) Barahmdagh Bugti’s sister and niece on January 31, 2012 in Karachi should be arrested.
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February - 23 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced withdrawal of cases against the Baloch leaders currently residing abroad, reports Daily Times. “Following the Government’s reconciliation policy, I announce that Baloch leaders, including Barahamdagh Bugti and Hyrbiyar Marri, return to Pakistan to take part i
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Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced withdrawal of cases against the Baloch leaders currently residing abroad, reports Daily Times. “Following the Government’s reconciliation policy, I announce that Baloch leaders, including Barahamdagh Bugti and Hyrbiyar Marri, return to Pakistan to take part in the political and development process and I would personally receive them,” he said.
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February - 23 
Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani appreciated the tribal people for assisting armed forces against terrorists and militants, reports Daily Times. “The anti-state elements carried out terrorist activities in Pakistan and killed many innocents, particularly tribal people for m
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Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Khalid Rabbani appreciated the tribal people for assisting armed forces against terrorists and militants, reports Daily Times. “The anti-state elements carried out terrorist activities in Pakistan and killed many innocents, particularly tribal people for money,” he said while addressing the participants of De-radicalisation Emancipation Programme (DREP) in Tank District on February 23.
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February - 23 
United States (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on February 23 that Pakistan was too important for Washington to turn its back on, following ice-breaking talks with her Pakistan counterpart hina Rabbani Khar, reported Express Tribune. Clinton said there would still be “ups and downs” in t
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United States (US) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on February 23 that Pakistan was too important for Washington to turn its back on, following ice-breaking talks with her Pakistan counterpart hina Rabbani Khar, reported Express Tribune. Clinton said there would still be “ups and downs” in the relationship but that neither side could afford to shun the other. “Building and sustaining a relationship based on mutual interest and mutual respect takes constant care and work, from both sides,” Clinton told a press conference, adding, “I’m sure we will continue to have our ups and downs. But this relationship is simply too important to turn our back on — for both nations.
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February - 24 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on February 24 said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had been directed to write to Interpol for issuance of a Red Warrant against General Pervez Musharraf, reports Daily Times. He said the procedure had begun, and the FIA would approach Interpol within a few days
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Interior Minister Rehman Malik on February 24 said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had been directed to write to Interpol for issuance of a Red Warrant against General Pervez Musharraf, reports Daily Times. He said the procedure had begun, and the FIA would approach Interpol within a few days for issuance of a Red Warrant to arrest the former military dictator and bring him back to Pakistan to face charges of his alleged involvement in murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
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February - 24 
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the latest terrorist attacks in Peshawar were in reprisal for the US drone strikes in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Addressing a news conference in Peshawar after the suicide attacks, the minister condemned the terroris
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the latest terrorist attacks in Peshawar were in reprisal for the US drone strikes in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Addressing a news conference in Peshawar after the suicide attacks, the minister condemned the terrorist assault but regretted that Pakistan had already warned the US that drone strikes were detrimental to its interests.“The Taliban are currently negotiating with the US and therefore, they should take up the drone attack issue with the Americans instead of carrying out retaliatory strikes in Pakistan,” he said.
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February - 24 
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 24 appealed to the Afghan Taliban leadership and other Afghan groups, including Hizb-e-Islami (HeI), to participate in an intra-Afghan process for national reconciliation and peace, reports Daily Times. “It is now time to turn a new leaf and open a new c
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Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on February 24 appealed to the Afghan Taliban leadership and other Afghan groups, including Hizb-e-Islami (HeI), to participate in an intra-Afghan process for national reconciliation and peace, reports Daily Times. “It is now time to turn a new leaf and open a new chapter in the history of Afghanistan. It is time to now combine the strengths of the Afghan people in a true spirit of our noble religion, Islam, and in accordance with the glorious traditions of Afghans to build peace and bring prosperity to Afghanistan,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “It is our sincere hope that the Afghan Taliban leadership, HeI and all other Afghan political leaders will respond positively to my appeal and agree to enter into direct negotiations in the framework of an intra-Afghan process for reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan”.
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February - 24 
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack. He said that the attack had been carried out by an affiliated group, the Abdullah Azzam Brigade (AAB) to avenge the death of one of its leaders, Badar Mansoor, in a United States drone strike on Feb 9
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Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility for the attack. He said that the attack had been carried out by an affiliated group, the Abdullah Azzam Brigade (AAB) to avenge the death of one of its leaders, Badar Mansoor, in a United States drone strike on Feb 9, 2012.
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February - 24 
The HeI Afghanistan hailed Prime Minister Gilani’s appeal to Taliban and other militant groups to join Afghan peace process. HeI Political Affairs Head Doctor Ghairat Baheer said that his organisation had also proposed intra-Afghan dialogue “which is the only solution to end the Afghan war”. He said
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The HeI Afghanistan hailed Prime Minister Gilani’s appeal to Taliban and other militant groups to join Afghan peace process. HeI Political Affairs Head Doctor Ghairat Baheer said that his organisation had also proposed intra-Afghan dialogue “which is the only solution to end the Afghan war”. He said in a statement that HeI wants Afghans to hold talks without any interference from others, adding that Prime Minister Gilani’s statement is similar to the group’s stand. He hoped that other Afghan groups would also give a positive response to the prime minister’s statement.
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February - 24 
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Balochistan Chapter, expressed its strong resentment over deteriorating law and order situation in the province and urged the Government to pay serious attention for retaining peace, reported Daily Times. Addressing a press conference in the Quetta Pre
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The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Balochistan Chapter, expressed its strong resentment over deteriorating law and order situation in the province and urged the Government to pay serious attention for retaining peace, reported Daily Times. Addressing a press conference in the Quetta Press Club, HRCP Vice Chairman Tahir Hussain said the province was witnessing sharp rise in the incidents of kidnapping for ransom and highway holdups. “There are frequent incidents of kidnappings but the Government has failed to book a single culprit involved in such incidents,” he told the reporters, adding that a sense of insecurity prevailed in the Hindu community.
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