Media outlets are reporting today that an American aid worker working for a U.S.-based development firm was shot and killed in Peshawar. According to the NY Times, the man, identified as Steve Vance [Dawn identified him as “Stephen Wanz“] was “assassinated” in his car when he was on his way to the house in Peshawar “where Mr. Vance ran a project to bring small-scale projects and jobs to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.” His Pakistani driver was also killed in the incident. [Image from the AFP]
According to the Washington Post, “Most employees of the U.S. consulate in Peshawar live in a compound at the consulate itself, but some choose the University Town neighborhood. In August, gunmen shot at the car carrying the top U.S. diplomat in the city, Lynne Tracy, who also lives in University Town. She was unharmed.” The killings Wednesday came after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a crowded sports stadium in the center of Peshawar Tuesday night, “moments after leading politicians of the city had left the arena,” reported the Times. At least 13 people were wounded in yesterday’s bombing, media outlets reported.
Dawn cited a “Western security official,” who said the gunmen blocked the men’s vehicle in a narrow lane with their own car, then opened fire with automatic weapons. A U.S. embassy spokesman told news agencies, “The attack is currently under investigation and we are coordinating with the local authorities.” Most media outlets, including AAJ Television framed Wednesday’s incident in light of the larger security situation. AAJ reported, “Violence has surged in the northwest where militants have unleashed a wave of bomb and suicide attacks in recent months, while U.S. missile strikes in the tribal lands bordering Afghanistan have fueled anti-American sentiment.” Moreover, reported the AFP, “The Pakistan military’s crackdown on the guerrillas – forces moved into the tribal Bajaur region in August – is unpopular with many in the region. Officials say the military campaign has left more than 1,500 people dead.”
So far, Tehreek-e-Taliban, the umbrella organization of militant groups that Baitullah Mehsud heads, [click here for CHUP’s past backgrounder on Mehsud], has claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s suicide bombing at Peshawar’s sport stadium. No one has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s incident, although media outlets are implying that the Pakistani Taliban may also have perpetrated the assassination.
I was really saddened by the sports stadium bombing – even though the day-to-day violence has desensitized us all to an extent, senseless attacks on innocent civilians enjoying a sporting event still horrifies and saddens me.
Really horrible to hear abt Steven Vance who worked for CHF. Pakistan needs foreign intl development workers to bring their skill sets to Pakistan to contribute to economic growth. With increased incidents like this Pakistan is losing valuable contributors to its economic, political and social development.
It’s really a Catch 22 – a circular problem – the more incidents like these happen the harder it is to initiate and carry out development goals and projects, and the worse the security situation gets as a result of these worsening societal problems.
Depressing š¦
[…] suicide attacks, suicide bomber, town neighborhood, tribal areas, tribal lands, wanz Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan This post […]
pakistani reporter: vat vaz hiz name?
us source: stephen vance
pakistani reporter: seteeewen waaanz?
us source: no, stephen VANCE
Pakistani reporter to fellow reporters: okay I got it, steefin waaaaanz! chalo, write it up.
This is an awful tragedy. Eman is right, unless Pakistan can ensure the safety of foreign aid workers, or foreigners in general, it is sure to affect foreign investment and the image of Pakistan as a reliable place to conduct businessāof any capacity.
As a contractor working for the U.S. government, I have seen first-hand how the recent violence has directed prospective entrepreneurs and investments away from the country. Swift justice on this front would broadcast to the world a sense of accountability. The reparation of Pakistanās world image is a matter of serious national interest.
[…] – Changing Up Pakistan reports on the assassination of U.S. Aid Worker in North West Pakistan: “Media outlets are implying […]
This is tragic on so many levels. Steve was truly and totally committed to Asia. He spoke Urdu, Pashtoon, and several other Regional languages, lived among the people, sent his children to local schools, basically loved Asia and was there totally and sincerely to work for and with its people. Stupid hatred, blind venomous ignorance killed a man who was truly an agent of change for the good. I was so hopeful on November 4, now I am in despairi. They killed the best of the best, Steve is irreplaceable. Do you hear me?
Steve’s driver, Shakoor, used to be my driver till October 2007 when we worked together at another US funded program. He came looking for employment at the USAID project I work in now, but he arrived only a few days after we had already hired our drivers for the project I work for now. Sleight of hand and twist of fate.
Since his death will only be reported as an afterthought to Steve’s, I just wanted to note that he was a mild, harmless and extremely helpful person, and very careful and cautious when he would drive me to the far corners of Pakistan. He was always full of the most amusing stories about his family. We’ll all miss him.
Jozarray – I’m sorry for your loss. It seems like you knew him personally.
Izza- thanks for writing about Shakoor and personalizing him for all of us. Too often media outlets focus on the deaths of foreigners and forget to mention the local Pakistanis who were killed just trying to make a living.
@ last drone attack, killed more than ten civilians,
children, women, and the one before, and the one before,
killings in Bajour, south Waziristan, in Fata, altogether
thousands since two months, who can hear me ??
@ Let this be clear to everyone, Americans have killed
hundreds of Pakistanis inside or near Afghan Border,
who speaks for them ? Children, women, entire villages,
Nobody is feuling anti-American hatred, Americans are
killing thousands of human beings, Talibans or not,
according to them !
Americans are commiting War crimes, mass killings.
@ Again Pak territory violated, USA Army
Another drone attack inside Pakistan TODAY
on a village SHAADI-KHEL in south Waziristan
killing another 14 civilians. Americans are repeating
the Iraqi tactics of imposing terror on civils, this is
the eighth major drone attack inside Pak Territory,
since the investiture of Zardari, targetting civilians,
its great time that Americans should also be inflicted
with heavey casualties among their ranks inside
Afghan territory, Pakistan Govt. has a very coward,
colonial impressed attitude, and are not able to react.
If a person plays with rocks, it also makes noise. How a person can think that he falls from four or five steps and he remains safe, its not possible dears, he must get injuries. America is trying to get hold of whole world & trying to get maximum resources & very slowly he is cleaning his way to reach his goal.
But by force for next 1000 centuries he can’t achieve or he can’t get success. While china is doing great, slowly slowly he will get the hold on the world’s economy. In other words he will get hold on the whole world while America can only increase his enemies. American policy will always kill the innocent people of the occupied territories and also his own innocent people.
Now a day people think about Americans that they are Wild animals who only kill others for their own survival & its true, its true more than 1000%.
America is leading the world towards his destiny “destruction” (Final World War or Nuclear World War). But till how many years they will be like a ball or doll in the hands of Israel, sooner or latter they will understand that Israel is using them for their own safety & and survival. This bloodshed will only be ended with the end of Jews (Israel) or with the end of world.
America can also play a role of big brother instead of a Wild Bloody Animal, itās a universal truth that America is a Super Power on earth. If they change their way or approach to get hold on the World or they kick out the Jews lobby from their Top Administration or Planning & Control they can easily, without innocent bloodshed get control of the whole world.
Its my personal view about present global situation, if someone hurts I am apologising to him.