US Commission on International Religious Freedom

Service Notice: Afghanistan and Pakistan Conflict Monitors Cease Publication July 4, 2011
Service Notice June 30, 2011
Please be advised that our offices will be closed on Friday, July 1st, 2011 in observance of Canada Day. We will resume publishing the Pakistan Conflict Monitor on Monday, July 4th.
Pakistani Troops Kill 40 Militants near Afghan Border June 30, 2011
Pakistani troops backed by jets and helicopter gunships have killed 40 militants in a restive tribal area bordering Afghanistan in the past three days, a military commander said Thursday.Brigadier Aftab Ahmad told AFP by telephone that his forces had destroyed 17 militant hideouts in the Baizai region under his command in the lawless tribal area of Mohmand. […]
"Pakistani Cooperation Remains Essential" in New US Counterterrorism Strategy June 30, 2011
President Obama’s counterterrorism strategy is narrowly focused on al-Qaeda and its ability to strike the U.S. homeland and is “not designed to combat directly every single terrorist organization in every corner of the world,” White House counterterrorism chief John O. Brennan said Wednesday. Acknowledging that the president’s goals […]
Key Scientist Discusses Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program: Interview June 29, 2011
He built Pakistan's nuclear bomb and is accused of having sold his knowledge to Libya and Iran. Since 2004, Abdul Qadeer Khan has been under a state of house arrest. In an e-mail interview, he now explains why he accepted sole blame for the accusations at the time and points a finger at the Pakistani army. Spiegel Online: Recent attacks on a naval base […]
NGO Finds Balochistan Human Rights Abuses Worsening June 29, 2011
Human rights violations in Pakistan’s southwest province of Balochistan are getting worse as militants and security forces target civilians, while authorities seem unwilling to rein in lawlessness, according to a report released on Wednesday. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), an independent non-governmental organisation, said in its repor […]
Recent Developments in Military and Security Inquiries June 29, 2011
A tribunal headed by Justice Mohammad Hashim Kakar of the Balochistan High Court submitted on Tuesday its report on the Kharotabad incident of May 17 in which five foreigners, three of them women, were killed by security personnel, but the provincial government has decided not to make it public. According to sources, the government observed after going throu […]
Militants "Use Children to Fight, Carry Out Suicide Attacks" June 28, 2011
A report released by the US State Department suggests that militants in Pakistan use children to fight or carry out suicide attacks. In a statement delivered with the Trafficking in Persons report, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: “Every year, we come together to release this report, to take stock of our progress, to make suggestions, and to […]
Drone Warfare, Costs and Challenges: Analysis June 28, 2011
The announcement by President Obama on 22 June 2011 of substantial withdrawals of United States troops from Afghanistan by September 2012 marks an important moment in the almost decade-long war in the country. The impact of the decision will be felt on the current diplomatic calculations over the nature of a settlement that will bring the war to an end. It m […]
Addressing Pakistan's Sovereignty Deficit: Report June 28, 2011
The Pakistan government’s inability to provide for the security and prosperity of its own people has led to questions about its sovereignty, whether in terms of its monopoly of violence, fiscal solvency, or human security. But rather than asking questions of the Pakistani government, Pakistanis are content with blaming Washington for the country’ […]
Police Stations Understaffed in Punjab, KP and Sindh: Report June 28, 2011
The police stations in Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) were understaffed to a varying degree, the police stations in Balochistan and Islamabad capital territory were heavily overstaffed, according to Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN’s) police station monitor. This report is based on information collected by FAFEN monitors who visited 90 […]
Pakistan, India Decide to Open New Trade Post After Talks June 28, 2011
Pakistan and India on Monday decided to open up another trade point at the Wagah border, to boost trade ties between the two neighbouring countries. The decision was taken at a meeting held at Wagah border between officials of Pakistan and India. The new point will help facilitate trade and the passage of freedom busses, officials told The Express Tribune. T […]
TTP Commander Leaves Group amid Disapproval of Civilian Killings June 27, 2011
A Pakistani Taliban warlord who claims to control hundreds of foot soldiers said Monday he had broken with the militia and would form his own anti-American group along the Afghan border. Fazal Saeed described himself as the leader of Pakistan’s umbrella Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) faction in the tribal district of Kurram, but said he had run out of patienc […]
Pakistan's Border Regions Vulnerable amid Planned US Withdrawal June 27, 2011
Fighting across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border will overshadow talks when the two countries meet along with the United States on Tuesday to map out plans for reconciliation with the Taliban. Pakistan on Monday rejected Afghan allegations it had fired 470 rockets into Afghanistan over the past three weeks, saying only that "a few accidental rounds" […]
Pakistan Expels British Military Trainers June 27, 2011

BBC South Asia News Feed

India PM in historic Burma visit May 27, 2012
Manmohan Singh begins an official visit to Burma, the first by an Indian prime minister for 25 years, aiming to deepen trade and diplomatic ties.
Nato strike 'kills Afghan family' May 27, 2012
A Nato air strike has killed eight members of a family in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia, according to local officials.
Lady Gaga cancels Indonesia gig May 27, 2012
Lady Gaga cancels a concert in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, citing security concerns, after protests by religious groups.
Taliban deny poisoning schools May 27, 2012
The Afghan Taliban deny carrying out poison attacks on girls' schools, as 40 children are admitted to hospital in the latest incident.
China rape arrest after web anger May 27, 2012
Chinese authorities arrest a former Communist Party official on suspicion of raping girls, after an outcry on microblogs.
Singapore opposition holds seat May 27, 2012
Singapore's opposition Workers' Party wins a closely fought by-election, retaining a seat vacated after an MP was expelled by the party in February.
Nations to share giant telescope May 25, 2012
The Square Kilometre Array - one of the great scientific projects of the 21st Century - will be hosted by both Africa and Australasia.
Hollande defends Afghan exit plan May 25, 2012
President Francois Hollande defends his decision to end France's military mission in Afghanistan early, during an unannounced visit to Kabul.
War remains return to South Korea May 25, 2012
The remains of 12 South Korean soldiers return home, in the first repatriation of soldiers from the South killed during the Korean War 60 years ago.
Four die in Pakistan drone strike May 26, 2012
Four die in a US drone strike in Pakistan's tribal region of Waziristan, with officials claiming the dead were militants.
Miliband fears for Afghan future May 26, 2012
The international community must "up its game" to secure a lasting political settlement for Afghanistan, the Labour leader Ed Miliband has said during a secret visit to the country
Kolkata edge Chennai to win IPL May 27, 2012
Kolkata Knight Riders overcome defending champions Chennai Super Kings by five wickets to win Indian Premier League final.
Nations 'wasting time' on climate May 25, 2012
The latest round of UN climate talks makes little progress against a "coalition of the unwilling", observers say.