Military Investigates Additional Four Army Majors for Hizb ut-Tahrir Links
22 June 2011
Four majors in the Pakistani army are being investigated for alleged links with banned extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, the army has said. Army spokesman Gen Athar Abbas told the BBC the men were not under arrest but were being interrogated in connection with the case of Brig Ali Khan. He was detained last month and is also accused of links to Hizb ut-Tahrir. The army says it will not tolerate support for extremism within its ranks. Brig Khan's family...
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Pakistan Detains Senior Army Officer "on Suspicion of Ties to a Banned Islamist Group"
21 June 2011
A senior officer serving at Pakistan's army headquarters has been detained on suspicion of ties to a banned Islamist group that has called for the military to overthrow the country's U.S.-allied government, the army spokesman said Tuesday. The announcement could be an attempt by the Pakistani military to counter Western suspicions that it tolerates within its ranks soldiers who sympathize with militant groups such as the Taliban or al-Qaida. Those...
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"Culture of Impunity" on Human Rights Abuses in Pakistan: US Report
08 April 2011
"US report said Friday that Pakistan had a 'culture of impunity' on human rights abuses and stated that security forces were operating outside the control of the civilian government. An annual State Department survey on human rights reported widespread concerns in Pakistan - a key US war partner - including violence against women, child labor, corruption and discrimination against religious minorities. The report said Pakistan had not held anyone...
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Democracy in Pakistan: Interview
05 April 2011
"The past three years have shown us that even a dysfunctional, transitional democracy is preferable to military rule and dictatorship. The government's legitimacy stems from the constitution and hence it has been bound to uphold the rule of law - even in areas where it may not have suited the interests of the ruling party. Musharraf, in contrast, held power through the barrel of a gun and the difference is quite apparent. Of course, elected institutions...
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Human Rights and Democracy: The 2010 Foreign & Commonwealth Office Report
04 April 2011
"The 2010 UN Development Index ranked Pakistan at 125 out of 169 countries, down from 112 in 2008. Global indices relating to gender, children’s rights and corruption showed Pakistan near the bottom. Women and vulnerable groups faced legal discrimination and high levels of abuse and violence. Weaknesses in the rule of law, along with a dysfunctional criminal justice system, restricted access to justice for the vast majority of those who needed...
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Lasting Peace with India Faces Political Challenges in Pakistan
01 April 2011
"Despite a successful home secretaries' meeting and a feel-good cricket match in India, Pakistan is still a long way from delivering on a lasting peace due to entrenched challenges facing the civilian government. The road to peace between India and Pakistan is littered with failed attempts, and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani continues to face opposition from elements within the security establishment, as well as political circles. 'It's going to...
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Federal Ministers Resign, PM to Announce Smaller Cabinet
09 February 2011
Pakistan's Cabinet Resigns, The Wall Street Journal, 9 February 2011
EXCERPT: "Pakistan's federal ministers resigned Wednesday and the prime minister is expected to soon announce a smaller cabinet to help cut government expenditure in an effort to promote fiscal discipline to overcome mounting economic woes. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will forward the resignations to the president and is widely expected to announce a cabinet...
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Will Pakistan Follow Egypt's Example?: Analysis Brief
08 February 2011
Will Pakistan follow Egypt's example?, Council on Foreign Relations, 8 February 2011
EXCERPT: "Pakistan may be even more vulnerable than Egypt (The News) to popular discontent, with higher inflation, unemployment, and external debt, much of it exacerbated by the devastating flood of 2010 that crippled an already teetering economy. Many Pakistanis are sympathetic (PressTV) to the anger over corruption, surging food prices, and lack of jobs...
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PM Gilani Dismisses Fears of Unrest in Pakistan
04 February 2011
, The New York Times, 3 Feburary 2011
EXCERPT: "Protests over crippling prices and corrupt leadership are sweeping much of the Islamic world, but here in Pakistan this week, the government blithely dismissed any threat to its longevity or to the country's stability. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani insisted that Pakistan was not Egypt or Tunisia. 'Our institutions are working and democracy is...
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Reforming Pakistan's Police and Law Enforcement Infrastructure: Report
03 February 2011
, United States Institute of Peace, February 2011
EXCERPT: "An efficient, well-functioning police service is critical to counterinsurgency as well as counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan, now and in the future. At the same time, the police force must also address rising crime rates and a deteriorating law-and-order situation, among many other tasks. The capacity of the...
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