National Assembly Approves Nizam-e-Adl Regulation

On Monday, Pakistani media outlets reported that the National Assembly passed a resolution in support of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009 for the Malakand division. However, although the decision was technically unanimous, news agencies did add that representatives from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) did stage a walk out from the session, ultimately not participating in [...]

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Karachi Faces Internal Tensions – CHUP’s Correspondent

Below, Jackie, an American working in Karachi and CHUP’s Correspondent, delves into this week’s violence in the city and discusses who are the players, why are they fighting, and how it has impacted daily life in Karachi:
While this week’s international news coverage of Pakistan focused on Indo-Pak relations following the Mumbai bombings, here in Karachi, [...]

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All Hail President…Zardari?

According to the Associated Press today, a major opposition party, the Muttahida-Qaumi Movement (MQM) voiced their backing for PPP co-Chairman, Asif Ali Zardari to become Pakistan’s next president, “as the power struggle following the resignation of Pervez Musharraf intensified.” The news agency added,

Zardari has played down speculation that he covets the top job. However, opposition backing will strengthen [...]

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Breaking News: Pakistan Signs Peace Agreement with Militants

 Following weeks of negotations, [see most recent post on the talks], Pakistan’s coalition government signed a 15-point peace deal with “pro-Taliban” militants in Swat Valley on Wednesday. The announcement garnered media attention today, and the Associated Press deemed the development, “a breakthrough for a policy that Western officials worry could take the pressure off Taliban [...]

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Sharia Declared in Swat as Militant-Government Talks Continue

In security-related developments this week, media outlets reported on a “breakthrough” in negotiations with Islamist militants in Swat, [see this past post for further background on the situation in Swat Valley]. The NWFP government on Tuesday announced that insurgents “agreed to to extend a ceasefire till the next round of talks,” reported Dawn newspaper. However, [...]

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