IRS Regional Brief
November–December 2012
No. 33
The India-Pakistan
Peace Process
Compiled by Syed Imran Sardar
Compiled by Humera Iqbal
Afghanistan
Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad
IRS
Regional
Brief
The India-Pakistan Peace Process
November–December 2012
Compiled by Syed Imran Sardar
A major development that took place during the months of November and December was the
signing of the visa accord by India’s home minister and his Pakistani counterpart. Under the previous
arrangement signed on 8 September during Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to Islamabad,
Pakistani business travellers were restricted to certain cities; for instance, prohibiting their travel from Delhi
to the nearby thriving business hub of Gurgaon without permission. The change will permit visitors to travel
to five places now instead of three and some businessmen will get multiple-entry visas, exempting them
from reporting to the police. India, on its part, welcomed the initiative. Syed Akbaruddin, Indian External
Affairs ministry’s spokesperson said that “we will activate diplomatic channels to implement it.”
On the Siachen issue India reiterated its stance and ruled out demilitarisation of the icy heights. AK
Antony, Indian Defence Minister, stressed that “Our stand on the issue is very clear. There is no change in it
and we are not for its (Siachen’s) demilitarisation.” However, Pakistan and India agreed to advance the
CBM process and reaffirmed their commitment to continue discussions with the aim of strengthening
conventional CBMs. In this regard, both states extended agreements for five years on pre-notification of
flight tests of ballistic missiles, besides reducing the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman of Hurriyat Conference, welcomed the dialogue process between India and
Pakistan and said: “the dialogue process with Pakistan is vital for resolution of Kashmir dispute. However,
this re-engagement is incomplete unless Kashmiris are a party to these deliberations.”
The Peace Process
On 5 November, Meira Kumar, Indian Lok Sabha Speaker, said that Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh had accepted an invitation that President Asif Ali Zardari extended to him at the NAM
conference in Tehran. She further said she could not confirm any date for the visit but she knew that
Manmohan Singh was very much interested in visiting Pakistan. “There are issues between India and
Pakistan, but we should move forward while discussing the outstanding issues.” Kumar expressed her views
at the Sixth Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians held in Islamabad.(1)
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India favoured a stable and prosperous Pakistan. He
made this statement while addressing a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in New
Delhi on 12 November.(2) Singh expressed similar views in his welcome address to Pakistani parliamentary
delegation led by Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, Chairman of the Senate on 7 December. He said: “India
would like to see a strong, stable and prosperous Pakistan and is happy to see democracy flourish over
there.”(3)
The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, at a special Diwali dinner he hosted at the presidency
for the visiting Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, on 14 November said that: “Pakistan wishes to have
3
friendly, cooperative and good-neighbourly relations with India as there are tremendous opportunities for the
two countries to enhance cooperation for their mutual benefit.”(4)
Lt. Gen. (Retd) Moti Dhar, former vice chief of the Indian army, said: ‘the Kashmir issue is very
complicated, while there are bright chances of resolution of Siachen, Sir Creek, and water issues between
India and Pakistan.” He made these observations while speaking at a roundtable organized by the Institute of
Regional Studies (IRS) jointly with the India, Pakistan Soldiers Initiative for Peace (IPSIP) on 22
November. On his part, IRS President, Ashraf Azim said that “peace is the only option for India and
Pakistan.” He urged Indian Prime Minister to visit Pakistan despite all the domestic and bilateral issues.(5)
On 3 December, Salman Khurshid, Indian External Affairs Minister, said “public opinion in India
favours improved ties with Pakistan,” but advocated caution to avoid any mistakes and prevent
disappointments. Khurshid told a team from the Jang Group/Geo, comprising senior journalists Najam Sethi
and Kamran Khan that: “there appeared a consensus that the only way forward for the two countries is to go
hand in hand.” He also maintained that “the public mood can swing in a matter of a week. The media also
has a role to play. We need to take the media along and on board (in any peace initiative with Pakistan).”(6)
On 27 December, Pakistan and India agreed to advance the CBM process and reaffirmed their
commitment to continue discussions with the aim of strengthening conventional CBMs. Both countries, in a
joint statement issued by Foreign Office after the sixth round of Expert Level Talks on Conventional CBMs
held in New Delhi, said the “two sides also agreed to report the progress made during the current round of
talks to their respective foreign secretaries.”(7)
On 28 December, Pakistan and India extended agreements for five years on pre-notification of flight
tests of ballistic missiles, besides reducing the risk from accidents relating to nuclear weapons. The Seventh
Round of Expert Level Talks on Nuclear Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) held in New Delhi,
focused on review of implementation and strengthening of existing CBMs in the framework of the Lahore
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as well as possibilities for mutually acceptable additional CBMs.(8)
Despite the decision to resume cricketing ties with Pakistan, India persisted with its demand that
Pakistan prosecute all those involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. On 2 November, while addressing
the media after the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) meeting, Salman
Khurshid, External Affairs Minister of India, asserted that: “there is no question of New Delhi diluting its
stand that Pakistan must bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack.” Besides, he observed
that cutting off communication for a long period had never helped. A degree of aloofness was called for
earlier with Pakistan and it was maintained. He was quite forthright in stating that ''we don't want the cloak
to come to a standstill... it must move.”(9)
Sushil Kumar Shinde, Indian Home Minister, claimed that Pakistan continued to provide safe haven
to fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. On 6 November, Shinde in an Interpol meeting at Rome maintained that
“Their presence in a neighbouring country is well known and Interpol red notices against them, who are
Indian nationals, are pending since 1993.” He said this in a clear reference to Pakistan, where underworld
don Dawood Ibrahim and some others wanted in India are hiding.(10 He also met with the Pakistani
counterpart, Rehman Malik, on the sidelines of the Interpol meeting and expressed his displeasure over
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terrorist groups using Pakistani soil for waging war against India despite the neighbouring country’s
commitment at various global meetings. Shinde asserted that unless Pakistan did enough to address India’s
concerns related to terrorism and handed over its “wanted” nationals, like underworld don Dawood Ibrahim
who were currently living in Pakistan, it would affect normalisation of relations.
On 11 November, AK Antony, Indian Defence Minister, ruled out demilitarisation of Siachen. He
stressed that “decision on removing controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Held
Kashmir can’t be made in haste. Our stand on the issue is very clear. There is no change in it and we are not
for its (Siachen’s) demilitarisation.”(11) Moreover, on 25 November, Gen Bikram Singh, Indian Army chief,
said that “the Army should stay put in the Siachen because of the strategic advantage there.” Gen Singh,
however, said that it was for the government to take a decision on the pullout from the glacier. “I feel that
we need to stay there because of the strategic advantage and if we have to pull out from there we have to do
it very diligently after a great deal of deliberations,” he said.(12)
Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Bihar, visited Pakistan on the invitation of Syed
Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Sindh. Kumar called for developing relations at the level of Indian states
and Pakistani provinces to bring the two countries close to each other. He further said that “Both the
countries tend to hold talks at the bilateral level about a host of issues through foreign secretaries, etc, but it
would be more beneficial if province-to-province level ties are developed in both countries.” On his part,
Shah said that “the arrival of the Bihar Chief Minister is a good omen for Pakistan.” He hoped that such
visits would strengthen their bilateral relations, which would also be beneficial to the people in the
region.”(15)
On 12 December, Narendra Modi, Indian Gujarat Chief Minister, asked Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh to stop the Sir Creek dialogue with Pakistan. In a letter to the PM he wrote that “any attempt to hand
over Sir Creek to Pakistan would be a strategic blunder considering the history and sensitivity of the region.”
he further wrote that “I would earnestly request you to stop this dialogue with Pakistan at once and Sir Creek
should not be handed over to Pakistan.”(14)
Kumar-Zardari meeting
On 4 November, Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar met with President Asif Ali Zardari in
Islamabad. She expressed satisfaction at the positive developments in bilateral ties, including in trade and
economy. Kumar told Zardari that she carried everlasting impressions from her visit to this country earlier in
February on the invitation of National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza. Kumar also conveyed greetings
and good wishes from President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and also good
wishes from the parliament and people of India to the people of Pakistan for peace, progress and prosperity
in their country.(15)
Visa regime
On 20 November, President Asif Ali Zardari confirmed Pakistan's ratification of the visa agreement
with India, signed between the two countries on 8 September 2012 during Indian External Affairs Minister’s
visit to Pakistan. The Cabinet had accorded its approval to the agreement during its meeting held on 5
http://www.irs.org.pk/Brief.htm 5
September 2012 and approved the ratification of the Subject of Protocol on 31 October 2012. Spokesperson
to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the objective of the visa agreement was to facilitate the
travellers to visit each other’s countries. The relaxed visa regime will allow businesspeople to apply for
multiple entries on one-year visas and would increase the number of cities they can travel to and also exempt
them from reporting to the police.(16) India, on its part, welcomed the initiative. Syed Akbaruddin, External
Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, told reporters in New Delhi that “we will activate diplomatic channels to
implement it.”
On 14 December, India and Pakistan finally sealed the agreement to ease tough visa restrictions for
travellers. The accord was signed by India’s home minister and his Pakistani counterpart. Under the previous
arrangement, Pakistani business travellers were restricted to certain cities; for instance, prohibiting their
travel from Delhi to the nearby thriving business hub of Gurgaon without permission. The change will
permit visitors to travel to five places now instead of three and some businessmen will get multiple-entry
visas that would also exempt them from reporting to the police. The two governments agreed to relax visa
rules in principle in September 2012, when former Indian foreign minister S.M. Krishna visited
Islamabad.(17)
Indian delegation’s visit to Pakistan
On 5 November, A 45-member delegation, led by Indian Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir
Singh Badal, arrived in Pakistan via the Wagah border. Rana Iqbal, Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly Speaker,
received the delegation and presented a bouquet to the leader of the delegation. Rana Iqbal said “friendly ties
between Pakistan and India are growing rapidly and both the countries are making efforts to learn from each
other’s experiences in various fields of life.”(18) Badal was impressed to see religious freedom for minorities
and the security of the gurdwaras and evacuee trust property in Pakistan.
Pakistani Senators’ visit to India
On 5 December, Chairman of the Pakistan Senate, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, accompanied by
six Senators, including three from the minority community, made a five-day visit to India on the joint
invitation of Speaker Meira Kumar and Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari. His visit was a continuation
of the parliamentary exchanges between the two countries. He said “the parliaments of Pakistan and India
have a shared responsibility for creating an environment for establishing peace and tranquillity.”(19)
Peace process and Kashmir
On 14 December, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, Hurriyat Conference, said that “the dialogue
process with Pakistan is vital for resolution of the Kashmir dispute.” He further said that “India and Pakistan
have re-engaged themselves in dialogue process and are talking with each other, but this talk is incomplete
unless Kashmiris are a party to these deliberations.” The Hurriyat (M) chairman said this while asserting that
the Hurriyat would push for inclusion of Kashmiris in the dialogue process during the upcoming visit to
Pakistan. “But both New Delhi and Islamabad must realize that Kashmir has to be the top priority. By
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keeping ourselves aloof, we would be giving them an opportunity to make Kashmir a bilateral issue,” he
added.(20)
Terrorism
On 4 December, India alleged that there were more than 40 training camps in Pakistan for militants
who made regular attempts to cross the heavily fortified Line of Control of (LoC). Mullappally
Ramachandran, Junior Home Affairs Minister of India, alleged that “The terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan
or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remains intact and infiltration attempts from across the border still continue to
pose a challenge to the security forces.” India had identified 25 camps in Azad Kashmir and 17 in Pakistan
having around 2,500 militants, he claimed.(21)
On 14 December, Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik promised to arrest Mumbai terror attack
suspect Hafiz Saeed if New Delhi provided credible evidence about his involvement. He made this statement
while speaking to the media soon after his arrival on a three-day visit to India. He further said that “I assure
you that we are still investigating the (Indian) evidence. And if that evidence can stand the test of courts of
international standards, I will order his arrest even before returning home.” He categorically stated that “We
have no love lost for Hafiz Saeed. Our intentions are clear. Whoever does a crime, should be punished. I
come with a message of love and peace from the people of Pakistan.”(22) During his three day visit to India
from 14-16 December, he raised the issue of Indian interference in the Pakistani Province of Balochistan.
On 20 December, A four-member team of Indian legal experts arrived in Pakistan to finalise the
terms of reference of a judicial commission that is expected to visit India to gather evidence on the 2008
Mumbai attacks. The delegation, led by a joint secretary of the Indian Home Ministry, included legal experts
from the home and external affairs ministries. The team held talks with Attorney General Irfan Qadir and
other Pakistani officials to finalise the terms of reference for the second judicial commission that will go to
India to investigate the Mumbai attacks.(23)
India-Pakistan trade
On 15 November, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, said that
Pakistan was committed to implementing the MFN status for India from 1 January 2013, by abolishing the
negative list and there would be no delay on it. He categorically stated that “There would be no delay on our
commitment for implementing MFN status for India from 1 January 2013.”(24) However, the business
community in Pakistan had serious reservations over this decision.
Indian Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal urged Pakistani and Indian
governments to resolve all issues pertaining to bilateral trade, terming it as the only way to remove the
barriers between the two countries. On 6 November, Badal said at a meeting at the Lahore Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (LCCI) that “The distance between Lahore and Amritsar is only of 35 minutes
duration while the goods coming through a third country cost 10 times more than that through direct trade.”
He asserted that trade between Pakistan and India could go up to $10 billion from the current $2 billion
within the shortest possible time provided both sides took sector-specific measures.(25)
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On 10 November, an official of the commerce ministry of Pakistan confirmed that Pakistan had
decided in principle to allow import of all tradable items through land routes from India. In absolute terms,
this decision will allow India to export more than 5,600 items via land route especially the Wagha boarder as
against the current slightly over 100 items allowed via a land route to Pakistan.(26)
Cross-LoC trade
On 8 November, Omer Abdullah, Chief Minister of Indian-held Jummu and Kashmir, said he would
recommend opening of Jammu-Sialkot route for travel and trade to the Central Government so that it took
up this issue with Pakistan to initiate yet another important confidence-building measure (CBM). He
mentioned that the matter of banking facilities for LoC trade and enhancing the list of tradable items had
already been taken up with the Union Government. He said that these were the issues to be mutually agreed
by the two countries. He expressed the hope that the relations between the two neighbours would improve
further and trade and travel activities enhance.(27)
Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference president, called
upon India and Pakistan to open all natural trade and travel routes along the Line of Control. On 12
November, while speaking at a reception hosted by his party in honour of a women’s delegation from
Indian-occupied Kashmir, he said that revival of intra-Kashmir travel and trade could help resolve the
Kashmir problem.
Prisoners’ issue
On 17 November, as four of the seven Pakistani prisoners released recently by India had reached
their homes in Sindh, 12 Indian fishermen were booked on Saturday for illegally entering Pakistani waters.
On 12 December, India’s top court quashed the murder conviction of an 82-year-old Pakistani who
spent 20 years in jail and allowed him to return home. Khalil Chishti, a microbiologist, was arrested and
charged with murder in 1992 after a brawl in the western Indian city of Ajmer which he was visiting for a
family wedding. He was convicted in 2010 by a local court and given a life sentence.(28)
Reference:
1.
“Singh keen to visit Pakistan: Meira Kumar”, The News, Karachi, 6 November 2012.
2.
“India favours a stable Pakistan: Singh”, Pakistan Today, Islamabad, 13 November 2012.
3.
“Indian PM Praises Pakistan’s democracy”, Dawn, Karachi, 8 December 2012.
4.
“Pak wants friendly ties with India: Zardari”, The Kashmir Times, Jammu, 15 November 2012.
5.
“Pak-India understanding on water issues needed”, The Nation, 23 November 2012.
6.
“Indian foreign minister optimistic on relations with Pakistan”, The News, 4 December 2012.
7.
“Pakistan, India review progress on CBMs”, The Nation, 28 December 2012.
8.
“Islamabad, Delhi extend nuclear, missile accords”, The Nation, 29 December 2012.
9.
“Khurshid: Pak must bring 26/11 attackers to justice”, The Tribune, Chandigarh, 3 November 2012.
10.
“26/11 planners in Pak safe havens: Shinde”, The Tribune, 7 November 2012.
11.
“India rules out demilitarisation of Siachen”, The Nation, 12 November 2012.
12.
“Army should stay put in Siachen, says General Bikram Singh”, The Hindu, New Delhi, 25 November 2012.
13.
“Bihar CM calls for ‘province-to-province’ ties”, The News, 10 November 2012.
http://www.irs.org.pk/Brief.htm 14.
8
“Modi asks PM to stop Sir Creek dialogue with Pakistan”, The Sentinel, Guwahati, 13 December 2012.
15.
“Meira Kumar meets Zardari in Islamabad”, The Sentinel, 6 November 2012.
16.
“President confirms ratification of Pak-India visa pact”, The Nation, 21 November 2012.
17.
“India and Pakistan sign visa accord”, Dawn, 15 December 2012.
18.
“45-member Indian delegation arrives”, The News, 6 November 2012.
19.
“Parliaments of Pakistan, India should create environment for peace: Bokhari”, The News, 9 December 2012.
20.
“Dialogue process with Pak leadership vital: Mirwaiz”, The Kashmir Times, 15 December 2012.
21.
“Pakistan’s terrorist network intact: India”, Dawn, 5 December 2012.
22.
“Kasab’s word not enough for Saeed’s arrest, says Malik”, Dawn, 15 December 2012.
23.
“26/11 case: Indian legal experts arrive in Islamabad”, The News, 21 December 2012.
24.
“India to get MFN status as New Year gift from Pakistan”, The News, 16 November 2012.
25.
“Pak-India trade suffers for inaction”, Dawn, 7 November 2012.
26.
“Land route: India to export 5,600 items”, Dawn, 11 November 2012.
27.
“Jammu-Sialkot trade route: CM to take up issue with Centre”, The Kashmir Times, 9 November 2012.
28.
“Top Indian court frees Pakistani after 20 years”, Dawn, 13 December 2012.
http://www.irs.org.pk/Brief.htm 9
IRS
Regional
Brief
Afghanistan
November–December 2012
Compiled by Humera Iqbal
Introduction
The US is debating keeping 6,000-9,000 troops in Afghanistan after the 2014 withdrawal, though
confined mainly to Bagram Airbase. President Karzai refused to have any security agreement with the US in
reaction to US refusal on handing over all the prisoners under Afghan control. For the first time
Afghanistan’s competing factions held direct talks in Paris. A formal agreement has allowed Taliban’s
political office to be opened in Qatar. Afghanistan and Pakistan decided to move ahead with the new Afghan
Peace Plan and steps are being taken to facilitate talks with the Taliban. On the request of Afghan peace
negotiator Salahuddin Rabbani, Pakistan twice released top Taliban leaders from detention. Pakistan’s senior
Minister Bashir Bilour was killed in a suicide attack. The UN Security Council clamped global sanctions
against the Haqqani network.
US political and military: Policy actions and concerns
US force in Afghanistan may be smaller than expected after 2014
The US plans keeping 6,000 to 9,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014, confined mainly to garrisons.
The bases built by Pentagon in the southern provinces of Kandahar and Helmand; and the US combat posts
in the eastern city of Jalalabad would likely be turned over to Afghan control. The US forces staying back
would operate mainly from the Bagram airbase and other bases near Kabul. Bagram will be the hub of US
special operations; chief American military missions after the drawdown; for killing al-Qaeda and insurgent
groups; and for US drones with other combat aircraft in Afghanistan.(1)
Senate approves Obama's choice for Afghan commander
The US Senate approved President Obama's choice, Gen. Joseph Dunford, assistant commandant of
the Marine Corps, to take over as head of US and coalition forces in Afghanistan. Dunford would replace
Gen. John Allen, the current commander in Afghanistan. Dunford directed combat forces in Iraq.(2)
Pentagon says Afghan forces still need assistance
A new Pentagon report stated that only one of the Afghan National Army’s 23 brigades is able to
operate independently without air or other military support from the US and NATO partners. The report also
found that violence in Afghanistan is higher than it was before the US troops surge two years ago, although
it is down from a high in the summer of 2010.(3)
Many insider attacks in Afghanistan stem from personal motives
A detailed data recently included in the Pentagon report to Congress by the US military about the
Taliban strategy of insider attacks on international troops in Afghanistan suggested that the largest
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percentage of these incidents stems from personal motives rather than enemy infiltration. Of the 79 insider
attacks from May 2007 to September 2012, 38 per cent were likely triggered by personal motives; 6 per cent
were suspected on enemy infiltration; while 14 per cent came from persuasion by insurgents to a security
forces member. Another 38 per cent are still under investigation.(4)
In sign of normalization, Pentagon to reimburse Pakistan $688 million
The Pentagon quietly notified the Congress that it would reimburse Pakistan nearly $700 million for
the cost of stationing 140,000 troops on the border with Afghanistan, an effort to normalize support for the
Pakistani military after nearly two years of crises and mutual retaliation. The US also provides about $2
billion in annual security assistance, roughly half of which goes to reimburse Pakistan for conducting
military operations to fight terrorism.(5)
Senate panel approves findings critical of detainee interrogations
The Senate Intelligence Committee approved a highly critical, classified report on the Central
Intelligence Agency’s detention and interrogation programme, the most comprehensive review of the brutal
treatment of al-Qaeda prisoners after 11 September 2001 attacks. After the committee voted 9 to 6 in a
closed meeting, Sen Dianne Feinstein stated that the long-awaited 6,000-page report “uncovers startling
details about the CIA’s detention and interrogation programme and raises critical questions about
intelligence operations and oversight.” On the matter of overseas prisons and coercive methods like
waterboarding, Sen Feinstein condemned as torture and said that creation of lengthy “black sites” and
enhanced-interrogation techniques were terrible mistakes.(6)
Allies: Moving ahead with pronouncements
Nearly half of UK forces to leave Afghanistan in 2013
Britain will withdraw nearly half its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2013, the government
said as part of a security handover to Afghan forces. Nearly all of Britain's 9,000 soldiers are due to pull out
with the end of NATO mission in 2014 except for the undisclosed number left behind to help Afghans tackle
security threats. The British troops will withdraw in even steps; 2013 and 2014. Britain’s defence budget is
under pressure to spend less on troop numbers and equipments.(7)
Withdrawal under way as troops and equipment head home
The Australian troops have begun their withdrawal from Afghanistan and millions of dollars worth
of equipment, including heavily armed ASLAV fighting vehicles. The Australian Defence Force (ADF)
commander in the Middle East area of operations, Michael Crane, said that Australia's 1550 army, navy and
air force personnel in Afghanistan involved in Oruzgan province were prepared to leave. Crane said that
ADF's primary focus on completing the training of the Afghan forces was still there.(8)
France pulls out last troops from combat roles
France pulled its last troops engaged directly in combat out of Afghanistan in line with a promise by
President Francois Hollande to accelerate his country's withdrawal from the long-running conflict. About
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1,500 French troops remain in Afghanistan to remove equipment and to help train Afghan forces, for about
six months, Defence Ministry spokesman Thierry Burkhard said.(9)
UN orders global sanctions against Haqqani network
The UN Security Council ordered global sanctions against the Haqqani militant group in
Afghanistan and its suicide attack mastermind, Haqqani and its chief suicide attack organizer, Qari Zakir,
were added to the UN’s Afghanistan-Taliban sanctions list. This means nations must apply an assets freeze
and travel ban against Zakir and seize any assets belonging to the network as well as impose an arms
embargo.(10)
Afghanistan
Afghan minister repeats plea for militias to re-group and re-arm
Ismail Khan, the energy and water minister of Afghanistan and a former warlord, called on former
anti-Soviet guerrillas to regroup and rearm to prevent a slide into civil war once most foreign forces leave
the country by the end of 2014. Khan was reprimanded for urging people in his power base of western Herat
province to take up arms and defend the country where security forces are unable to operate. Although the
government is concerned that irresponsible armed groups would heed Khan’s call and undermine efforts for
building public trust in the 350,000 Afghan forces, Khan maintains his commitment on stabilizing the
country.(11)
Afghanistan seeks India's help as West pullout nears
India will step up training of the Afghan police and military after a request made by President
Karzai, who also urged Indian businesses to invest in his war-ravaged country as it gears up for the departure
of NATO troops. The extra help is likely to be welcomed by the US, which sees India as a stabilizing power
in South Asia. "We do want to expand that as required and wished by Afghanistan. We will respond," said
India's Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid.(12)
US refusal to hand over Afghan detainees
President Karzai called US refusal to hand over an undisclosed number of detainees "a serious
breach of the Memorandum of Understanding" between the US and Afghanistan outlined the transfer of
power from US forces to Afghanistan. Karzai ordered his defence minister, attorney general and prison
administrator "to take required and urgent measures" to ensure the complete transfer of authority. The US
"paused" the transfer of the detainees on the day it handed over Parwan prison at Bagram Airbase in
September.(13)
US, NATO behind 'insecurity' in Afghanistan
In an exclusive interview with NBC News, President Karzai criticized the structures created by US
and NATO forces responsible for part of the growing insecurity in Afghanistan. Karzai disclosed sending a
letter to President Obama that said Afghanistan would not sign any new security agreements with the US
until prisoners held in US custody were transferred to Afghan officials.(14)
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Marc Grossman resigns Afghan-Pakistan post
Senior diplomat Marc Grossman resigned as the State Department’s special representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP). Grossman took up the position after Richard C. Holbrooke, who had
inaugurated the job, died in December 2010. Grossman has been replaced in an acting capacity by his
deputy, David D. Pearce. Before moving to the SRAP office, Pearce served as assistant chief of mission at
the US Embassy in Afghanistan.(15)
Peace process: Engagement and apprehensions
Taliban, Afghan foes meet in Paris for talks
Informal talks for the first time were held in Paris among Afghanistan’s competing factions. Taliban
led by Shahabudin Delawar, sat down with their former enemies in Afghanistan’s old Northern Alliance,
Afghan government peace negotiators, Hezb-e-Islami representatives, an insurgent faction independent of
the Taliban along with a few French defence and foreign-affairs officials. The talks were meant to offer
participants a project themselves towards the horizon of 2020. Taliban wanted to directly shed light on their
official position and policies to the international community which in their opinion were presented earlier by
their enemies that wrongly portrayed their image.(16)
Afghan Taliban seek charter reform in Paris meeting
In two days of talk among key representatives of Afghanistan’s main warring factions held in Paris,
the Afghan Taliban called for a new constitution as a pre-condition for joining the nation’s fledgling peace
process as it was made by the B-52 bombers of the invaders, according to a declaration issued by
representatives. The group also signalled its willingness to share power with other Afghan groups and their
representatives. “Our respected Amir-ul-Momineen, Mullah Muhammad Omar, has repeatedly called for
understanding and reconciliation. Mullah Omar respects his political opponents,” Maulvi Shahabuddin
Dilawar, the Taliban’s top negotiator told the Paris conference.(17)
Agreement on Taliban’s Doha office in final stages
A formal agreement between the governments of Afghanistan and Qatar on the opening of Taliban's
political bureau in Doha has entered final stages. Zalmai Rassoul, who was speaking to senators after being
summoned by the Meshrano Jirga, said Afghanistan and Qatar had long been working on the agreement,
paving the way for creating the office to facilitate reconciliation talks. Rassoul said that the bureau would
not be an office; instead the Qatar office will provide information about the peace-seeking Taliban, who
represent the movement or head some groups. The agreement will be presented to the parliament for
approval.(18)
Haqqani network ready to enter peace talks with US
The Haqqani network expressed readiness to have talks with the US if the central shura headed by
the Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar decided to do so, according to a senior commander. He added that
the Haqqanis, a militia operating as a branch of the Afghan Taliban, would keep up pressure on international
forces to leave. He also accused US trying to sow divisions within insurgent ranks.(19)
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Pakistan's army chief makes Afghan peace top priority
Pakistan's Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani made reconciling warring factions in Afghanistan a top
priority, military officials and Western diplomats said. A senior Pakistani military officer stationed in South
Waziristan said that Pakistan wanted Afghans “to be masters of themselves so we can concentrate on our
own problems… Pakistan has the power to create the environment in which a grand reconciliation in
Afghanistan can take place… we have to rise to the challenge and we are doing it, at the highest level
possible."(20)
Pakistan, Afghanistan moving ahead on peace plan, cuts US peace role
Afghanistan and Pakistan decided to move ahead with a new Afghan government “Peace Process
Roadmap to 2015” plan that envisions peace with the Taliban by 2015, holding a summit in Turkey and
working with the US and Britain on streamlining the UN terrorist blacklisting system so that Afghan
insurgents can be given safe passage for direct negotiations with Kabul. The new Afghan government peace
plan calls for Pakistan to replace the US in arranging direct talks between the Afghan government and
Taliban leaders by late 2013 in Saudi Arabia, once Taliban agree to cease fire.(21)
Pakistanis release additional Afghan Taliban prisoners
Pakistan has released another batch of Afghan Taliban prisoners, the Foreign Ministry announced, a
further sign of the Pakistani government's willingness to facilitate efforts by Washington and Kabul to
negotiate a peace agreement with the insurgents. The ministry said eight Afghan Taliban detainees were
released, including former Afghan Justice Minister Nooruddin Turabi and Abdul Bari, a former governor of
Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. In November 2012, Pakistan had released 18 Afghan Taliban
detainees at the request of President Karzai’s top peace negotiator, Salahuddin Rabbani. (22)
Pakistan-Afghanistan relations
Paper on Afghan border coordination signed at tripartite meeting
To improve coordination along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, a document for tripartite border
coordination mechanism was signed at a meeting of the Tripartite Commission at the Afghan ministry of
defence in Kabul. The meeting was attended by Pakistani Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, acting
Commander of ISAF Lt-Gen Nicholas Carter, Afghan Chief of General Staff Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi
and their delegations. The participants reviewed ongoing military operations in Afghanistan and adjoining
tribal areas of Pakistan and discussed transition of security responsibility from ISAF to Afghan security
forces. Measures to gradually enhance Pakistan-Afghan bilateral border coordination arrangements till and
beyond 2014 were also discussed. (23)
Pakistan gives Afghan refugees six more months
Pakistani government gave 1.6 million Afghan refugees the right to stay another six months,
extending a deadline on their residency papers that had been due to expire at the end of December 2012. The
decision was taken by the Prime Minister that entitled Afghan refugees to stay in Pakistan until end-June
http://www.irs.org.pk/Brief.htm 14
2013. Pakistan promised not to expel any registered refugee. In late October, UNHCR boosted incentives for
Afghans to return and around 10,000 Afghans went home from 23 October 23 to 30 November 2012
Karzai says suicide attack on aide was planned in Pakistan
President Karzai charged that the suicide bomber who tried to kill his top intelligence aide in Kabul
came from Pakistan and that the assassination plot had been “designed” there. Karzai said that Asadullah
Khalid, head of the National Directorate of Security, would expectedly recover completely and return to
work. Khalid was severely injured in the bombing and was flown to Bagram airbase of the US in
Afghanistan for treatment.(25)
Pakistan: Security dilemma
Pakistan moves to build its own drones
Pakistan’s defence industry is building a domestic fleet of aerial drones that can take over the US's
role in attacking militant strongholds. Despite public opposition to the US drone strikes, the national leaders
are not against drones, though they want control over where and how they are used, and are encouraging
local drone makers to build the UAVs. “The future era is toward unmanned operations,” said Sawd Rehman,
deputy director of Pakistan-based Xpert Engineering, Rawalpindi, which builds drones. "The policy of selfreliance is always priority No. 1 of every nation."(26)
Bashir Bilour killed in suicide blast
A suicide blast in the Qissa Khwani Bazaar area of Peshawar killed Khyber-Pahtunkhwa’s Senior
Minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour along with eight others and injured at least 17 people. Taliban claimed
responsibility for the attack. Bomb squad experts said the suicide bomber detonated his explosives when the
ANP meeting was at its peak. Haji Noor, his personal secretary, also died in the blast.(27)
Militants’ attack on airport
Taliban militants attacked Peshawar airport with rocket fire. Later a vehicle with heavily armed
militants drove in to breach the airport. Militants’ target was the military facility inside the airport. However,
they were stopped by security forces gunfire. Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and warned of
attacking more sensitive government installations in future. The attack was the most serious one after the
Minhas Air Force base attack at Kamra.(28)
Pakistan ready to act against safe havens
Pakistan has signalled its readiness to deal with terrorists operating within its borders as well as with
those who cross over to Afghanistan, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said. The officials assured that
Pakistan had carried out several “complementary operations” with Afghan and NATO forces against the
terrorists. “We are more encouraged with the fact that they want to take steps to try to limit the terrorist
threat within their own country and obviously the threat that goes across the border” to Afghanistan, Panetta
said.(29)
http://www.irs.org.pk/Brief.htm 15
Pakistan tribal sources say US drone strike kills al Qaeda commander
Tribal sources from Pakistan's northwest said a US drone attack killed a senior al-Qaeda
commander, Abu Zaid, in the latest blow to the militant group. Abu Zaid was killed in the drone strike on a
hideout in Pakistan's North Waziristan. Abu Zaid had replaced Abu Yahya al-Libi as one of al Qaeda's most
powerful figures in June after Libi was killed by a US drone strike. Ten others were also killed in that
attack.(30)
Emerging Pakistan Taliban chief to focus on Afghan war
Pakistani military sources revealed that Pakistani Taliban are preparing for a leadership change that
could mean less violence against the state but more attacks against US-led forces in Afghanistan.
Hakimullah Mehsud, who has led the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the last three years, has lost
operational control of the movement and the trust of his fighters, said a senior Pakistan army official. The
organization's more moderate deputy leader, Wali-ur-Rehman is poised to succeed Hakimullah.(31)
Pakistani militants hiding in Afghanistan
Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah who ordered attack on a Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousufzai,
escaped retribution by hiding in a part of eastern Afghanistan where US forces are already spread thin and
focus on other targets. The US military and intelligence officials said Fazlullah operates out of a region
adjoining Pakistan where several hundred US troops are stationed. However, for US officials finding
Fazlullah is not a priority as he is not affiliated with al-Qaeda or with insurgents targeting US and Afghan
interests. “Our guys just aren’t tracking him, he is viewed as an ‘other-side-of-the-border’ problem”, a senior
Special Operations official said.(32)
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