Swat is still Burning

MORE than 40,000 people this week fled the Swat valley in north-west Pakistan, as an onslaught against Taliban militants intensified. Pakistan’s army, which fought in Swat from 2007 until it struck peace in February, says it will now finish off the Taliban in the valley. The peace deal has been unraveling since the Taliban last month moved from Swat into the districts of Lower Dir and Buner, 100km (63 miles) from Islamabad, the capital. The army attacked them, after senior American officials voiced their alarm at its “abdication” to the Taliban. Under the peace agreement, covering Malakand division, which includes Swat, the government is to implement Islamic law in the district. The Taliban call the government and army American stooges. On May 3rd militants beheaded two government officials in Swat, in revenge for the killing of two Taliban commanders in Dir and Buner. The next day they ambushed an army convoy in Swat.
On May 6th Pakistani helicopter-gunships and ground troops attacked the Taliban in the valley.
Officials claim that by setting up sharia courts they have drawn local support away from the Taliban. The army claims to have killed over 30 militants in Swat and 100 in Buner. Militants have recruited young men, broadcast anti-government propaganda, dug trenches and laid mines throughout Mingora.
American officials had raised concerns about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, as well as its zeal for fighting the Taliban. Mr Obama called the talks “extraordinarily productive”

Kayani chairs high-level meeting

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today arrived from France and immediately on arrival; COAS presided over a high level meeting in General Headquarters to review the progress of ongoing military operations in Malakand and Swat.

Kayani appreciated the conduct of operations and high morale of troops. He stressed upon the need to provide relief to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through an aggressive management system.

COAS advise to ensure local population safety

Chief Of Army Staff(COAS) General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani has instructed the Army to ensure minimum collateral damage even at the expense of taking risks, by resorting to precision strikes. According to statement issued by ISPR, Pakistan Army is acutely aware of the nature of ongoing operations in Swat and elsewhere, and their likely fallouts. Consequent to any military operation in populated areas, collateral damage and IDP issues are always a natural outcome. In fact the overall success of operations in such areas is a sum total of the three efforts i.e conduct of military operations, minimizing collateral damage and correctly managing IDPs.

COAS said that management of IDPs is as important as military operation in Swat. It has been decided to provide all out support to Government and International Agencies in the management and rehabilitation of IDPs. For the first time in its history, Pakistan Army has taken a decision to give part of its daily ration items of daily food; Atta, Sugar, Ghee and Dhall to these IDPs. This exemplifies the Army’s spirit of sacrifice.

The food items so provided will be able to daily feed about 80,000 adults. Furthermore, Army is deploying its medical resources in all the IDPs camps. These medical camps will have adequate medicines for 90 days. Local Military Hospitals will also go on surge to treat patients.

PM declares all-out war against militants

Gilani orders armed forces to launch operation; says govt not to bow before terrorists; seeks nation’s support; announces Rs 1 bn for IDPs

By Asim Yasin

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday ordered the armed forces to launch an operation against the militants and terrorists so as to flush them out completely from Swat and Malakand in order to ensure security, restore honour and dignity of the homeland and for the protection of the people.

“The government will not bow before the militants and terrorists but will force them to lay down their weapons and will not compromise with them,” he said in his 20-minute televised address to the nation on Thursday night.

The prime minister, before addressing the nation, had an extensive discussion with the civil and military leadership. On Wednesday, he held a lengthy meeting with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani while on Thursday he held crucial meetings with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman and parliamentarians belonging to Swat and Malakand division. Following these hectic meetings, PM Gilani addressed the nation, announcing the launching of the operation against the militants and terrorists.

In his 20-minute speech, the prime minister also appealed to the nation, political leadership, civil society, religious leaders and all the institutions of the country to lend their complete support to the government and the armed forces for the cause of Pakistan.

The prime minister said the time had come to show unity in our ranks and stand up against those who wanted to make Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal hostage on gunpoint. “The nation should get united and support the armed forces and the government to foil their designs,” he appealed to the nation.

The prime minister also said that one billion rupees had been provided for the rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He said employment would be given to one member of each family that had lost any of its members at the hands of terrorists.

The premier also talked about his government’s seriousness to implement the Nizam-e-Adl agreement, saying that since the day one the government took seriously the situation in Swat and made efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue. “The federal government even respected the agreement signed by provincial government of the NWFP and took this agreement to parliament. “We got a consensus from parliament and after it, the president signed it without any delay,” he said.

The prime minister said for the peace in swat, the government had sustained internal and external pressure but stuck to the agreement. “There was criticism on the government that it took an internal decision on external pressures but the peace deal in Swat proved that it was taken in the best national interest and according to the wishes of people of Pakistan,” he added.

The prime minister said the accord envisaged that after the enforcement of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, militants would lay down arms for the sake of complete peace in the Malakand division. However, he said the militants continued violating the accord, attacked security forces and targeted government installations and buildings. “They started taking hostile actions against the constitution, parliament, democracy and judiciary, which amounted to challenging the writ of the government, necessitating the decisive action,” he added.

He said the militants misconstrued the government’s desire for peace as its weakness. He said the government had decided not to bow down before the terrorists and extremists and would force them to lay down their arms.

He said the government was determined to protect life and property of the people at all costs and there could be no compromise on it. He said aggressive activities of the militants had forced hundreds of thousands of people to migrate from their homes and they deserved our fullest attention.

The prime minister said the country was facing security and economic challenges and both were interlinked. He asked the people to come forward to safeguard the sovereignty of Pakistan. “We would not allow anyone to disrupt peace,” he said and added, “We would not hesitate to offer any sacrifice in eliminating those who are bent upon disturbing peace of the nation.”

He urged the Ulema and Mashaikh to help project Islam’s true spirit. “We have to highlight before the world that there is no place in Islam for suicide attacks and that Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood,” he maintained. He said it was a baseless propaganda that Islam was spread through the force of sword.

Talibans agenda is terrorism, not Islam

NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that militants have outrightly rejected the peace offer of the government, security forces and the people. He said the Taliban want to spread terror and Islam or Shariah is not their agenda.

Addressing a ceremony at Peshawar Law College, Mian Iftikhar said no military operation is underway in Swat. He said the security forces are only reacting against the militants. He said the TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad wanted the government to yield to the agenda of militants and not willing to acknowledge people’s aspirations. He said the DPO Buner and his security personnel were martyred in cold blood by militants who also occupied Shal Bandai, Pir Baba shrine and other areas.

The provincial minister said the government remains committed to implementing the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in Malakand division; he demanded that militants should hand over perpetrators of Hari Chand suicide blast to the government.

Holbrooke's strong backing of Pakistani government

Veteran diplomat Richard Holbrooke dismissed rumors that the Obama administration is backing away from its support for embattled Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari as he is tested by Taliban and al Qaeda extremists. We have not distanced ourself from President Zardari, he said.
Holbrooke testified before the committee on a day when concerns over recent Taliban gains in Pakistan and Afghanistan dominated the agenda in Washington. Holbrooke argued that questions about Pakistan's stability do not indicate a withdrawal of American support. We do not think Pakistan is a failed state. Holbrooke's testimony came the day after two leading members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee introduced legislation tripling nonmilitary aid to Pakistan.
The legislation also would separate military from nonmilitary aid, promising that economic aid "is no longer the poor cousin to military aid."
He reiterated the administration's support for such legislation, while urging Congress to find a "sweet spot" in terms of requirements made on Pakistan's government.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's military continued an assault on militants in Taliban-held areas after they seized territory in violation of an agreement signed this year by Zardari. The recent operations are part of the Pakistani army's intensified drive against the Taliban in its restive tribal regions. The Pakistani government has been criticized for not cracking down on militants along its border with Afghanistan. "Pakistan is a nation that is committed to rooting out extremism and Talibanization in our region, Pakistan's U.S. ambassador Husain Haqqani said Tuesday on CNN's "American Morning."
"As partners, (the United States, Pakistan, and Afghanistan) can certainly contain the Taliban.
Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently called Taliban gains in Pakistan an "existential threat" to the country.

Operation in Swat

Security forces launched operation in Swat after militants seized key government offices in the area. Forces started operation in Mingora early today to regain the control of government buildings. Militants and security forces exchanging fire with light and heavy weapons. No causality was reported.

Indefinite curfew has been imposed in Swat. Migration of local residents towards safer places from troubled areas has been halted due to curfew. Meanwhile, power supply remained suspended in the district for the second day, as Mingora grid station that was blown up two days ago by militants had not been repaired. Unknown persons blew up a shrine in lower Orakzai

Pak paid heavy price of anti-terror war : Nawaz Sharif

A US delegation comprised of three US congressmen and two Senators met with Nawaz Sharif in Raiwind on Wednesday.

Nawaz Sharif during the meeting said Pakistan itself a victim of terrorism and paid heavy price for war on terrorism. War against terrorism needed cooperation at every level, as only military coalition is not enough. Pakistani nation is irked due to new wave of terrorism.

He said the best way of eliminating terrorism is to improve economic conditions and education system in troubled areas. He said we want to cooperate with US but national interest is our top priority.

Ship believed hijacked off Somalia

International naval patrols have been stepped up in the Gulf of Aden following increased pirate attacks. The vessel was en route to Mombasa, Kenya, when it was attacked about 500 kilometers (310 miles) off Somalia's coast.
The cargo ship is Danish-owned. Between January and February, only two pirate attacks were reported off the east coast of Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau, which tracks piracy attacks worldwide.
Pirates seized a British-owned cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden. Pirates typically use small boats with a limited range to attack ships just a few miles off the coastline.
"Recent activity suggests that pirate activity off the east coast of Somalia has increased. Attacks have occurred more than 400 nautical miles offshore.
Pentagon officials say pirates are holding 15 ships off the Somali coast and according to U.S. Navy statistics, pirates attacked four ships between Saturday and Monday.
Navy officials say about 12 to 15 coalition ships are patrolling in the Gulf of Aden and the off the coast of Somalia

Forces facing resistance in Afghanistan: Holbrooke

Special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke has said that the world forces are facing resistance in Afghanistan and that a challenge is being faced for preventing terrorism in the region including Afghanistan where the world leadership is facing various issues. He added that a consensus is needed among all stakeholders and forces in Afghanistan.

Holbrooke said that India is an important leader in the region and the US is seeking India’s support in preventing terrorism in the region. According to him, for the first time the United States, Pakistan and India are facing the same challenges

Richard Holbrooke said that Baitullah Mahsud is a great threat for the region including Pakistan and America.

North Korea rocket test, UNSC urgent meeting called

TOKYO: North Korea has tested long-rage rocket, while the U.S. Japan and South Korea have declared the Nkorea rocket test an open violation of UN resolution and an emergent meeting of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has been called on the demands of these countries.

Meanwhile Russian and China have pleaded restraint in reactions to the North Korea rocket launch condemnations.

North Korea said that it has sent a communication satellite into the space under its peaceful satellite program. However, a statement issued from the Japanese prime minister office said that North Korea missile test was threatening, as it could target Japan.
At the State Department in Washington, spokesman Fred Lash said North Korea launched a rocket at 10:30 p.m. EDT Saturday (0230 GMT). North Korea had informed international authorities that it planned to launch a rocket sometime between Saturday and Wednesday to put a satellite into orbit. But the U.S., South Korea, Japan and others suspect it is a cover for testing a long-range missile for the North, which has nuclear weapons.
Lash added that the North Korean action violated United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718. The council adopted the 2006 resolution five days after North Korea conducted a test of a nuclear weapon
North's Korea's development, deployment and proliferation of missiles, ballistic missile-related materials, equipment and technologies pose a serious threat to the northeast Asia region and to the international community

Barak Obama condemns North Korea missile launch

American officials condemned the North Korean launch of a long-range rocket Sunday, with President Obama calling it a "provocative act."

A recent satellite image shows a rocket sitting on its launch pad in northeast North Korea.

Obama said the launch was "a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718, which expressly prohibits North Korea from conducting ballistic missile-related activities of any kind." North Korea said the rocket was launched to carry a satellite into space.

South Korean Foreign Minister Yoo Myung-Hwan said: "for the time being it is believed that North Korea launched a satellite. "It is alarming that North Korea carried out this missile launch in direct defiance of the international community," Berman said. An October 2006 United Nations resolution condemned North Korea for missile launches in the summer and a nuclear test that same month.

22 dead, several injured in Chakwal Imambargah

CHAKWAL: At least 22 persons died and several were injured at the Imambargah suicide bombing here.

The blast ripped apart the bodies of the faithful at the Imambargah, leaving a horrific scene of scattered body parts and blood all around the incident site.
The bodies and the injured were shifted to the Chakwal District Headquarter Hospital, while some injured were sent to Rawalpindi.

High police officials, DCO and heavy contingents of police also arrived following the blast.

Al-Qaeda planning attacks on US (Obama)

US President Barack Obama said Wednesday that al-Qaeda was planning to attack the US mainland from Pakistani soil and added that the US would chase and defeat the terrorist organization wherever it is present in the world.

Addressing a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Obama said the US policy was clear for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and Afghanistan would not be allowed to become a safe haven of al-Qaeda. The US president said the elimination of al-Qaeda was in the greater interest of both the countries.

Ex-Minister Mr. Ameer Muqam’s house blown up

PESHAWAR: Armed Taliban blown up house of Ex-Federal Minister Ameer Muqam.

Earlier, gunmen seized the house of Ameer Muqam in Bahrain, which was later blown up with explosives.

According to sources, Ameer Muqam and his family members were not present in the house when gunmen stormed the house, however, two servants of Ameer Muqam were forced to flee from the scene by armed men.

Ameer Muqam said it was a group of 60 to 70 local Taliban. He said restoration of peace in Swat seems difficult as gunmen are now started grabbing houses. Ex minister said he will discuss the issue with local administration.