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FATA: Tribal Economy in the Context of Ongoing Militancy
Asif Mian
Published: September 15, 2009

In recent years, the semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan and of late, the Swat region have increasingly been defined by the Taliban militancy that has now spread to large parts of the North West Frontier............
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Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Swat
Yousaf Ali
Published: May 19, 2009

The humanitarian crisis is deepening in the Malakand division where Pakistan’s security forces have launched a military operation to clear the territory of militants. The military operation started in Lower Dir on April 26, 2009 spreading out to Buner and now Swat............
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Peace Agreement in Bajaur Agency
Yousaf Ali
Published: March 20, 2009

Badly affected by seven-month long military operation and clashes between security forces and the militants, the security situation in Bajaur tribal agency has witnessed a rapid return to normalcy following the unilateral ceasefire announced by militants on 20 February............
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Swat Pact: Restoration of Peace Should be the Objective
Muhammad Amir Rana and Yousaf Ali
Published: February 20, 2009

The people in the entire Frontier province, in general, and restive Swat valley, in particular, are jubilant over the recently agreed pact between the provincial government and Sufi Muhammad, head of banned Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi (TNSM)............
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Media Security in Pakistan: 2008 Report
Muhammad Azam
Published: January 29, 2009

All kinds of violence are resorted to and all types of threats are used against the media. Journalists and media persons in Pakistan are victims of violence committed by radical groups and organizations, political parties, religious organizations, governments and other............
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New Approaches to the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Pakistani Tribal Areas
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: January 27, 2008

The global war on terrorism has not been won despite the lapse of eight years and a consensus is now emerging for the need to develop new strategies and approaches to neutralize terrorism. Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again become the focus of all the tried and............
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Human Rights Reporting in Pakistani Media
Safdar Sial
Published: December 24, 2008

Pakistan’s Urdu and English-language print and electronic media understand and present human rights issues in a variety of ways. The manner in which newspapers, magazines and television channels portray human rights issues, victims of violations and abuses, and...........
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Militants’ Surrenders: An Opportunity to Win Hearts and Minds
Yousaf Ali
Published: December 17, 2008

The prolonged operation in the tribal areas and some settled districts of the Frontier province made a number of hardcore militants either to surrender to the authorities or go in hiding. There are many who were not widely known for their militant activities and have thrown...........
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Kidnapping in NWFP and tribal areas
Yousaf Ali
Published: November 21, 2008

In the wake of the spill over of militancy, kidnapping mostly for ransom, particularly in the capital of the Frontier Province, Peshawar, has become another major security issue. During the past several months many cases of high profile kidnappings were reported. In several...........
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Tribal Lashkars need Govt. Support
Yousaf Ali
Published: November 10, 2008

The increasing number of anti-Taliban laskhars of volunteers in the tribal areas as well as settled districts of the Frontier province was no doubt a ray of hope for the people and the government, who believed it the most effective way to curb militancy. But the successive attacks on ...........
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Afghan ambassador-designate is still missing
Yousaf Ali
Published: October 29, 2008

The kidnapping of nominated Afghan envoy, Abdul Khaliq Farahi, still shrouds in mystery as more than a month has passed but no clue to him could be found. The interest of the people and governments of both the countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan – is also seemingly...........
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Marriott Blast: Security Implications for the Capital
Safdar Sial
Published: September 26, 2008

It was not the first or the second terrorist attack on Marriott Hotel, located in the heart of Islamabad, but the third one, which rocked the entire city on 20 September besides completely burning the hotel out. The burnt-out wrecks of cars outside the hotel presented a...........
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Legality of attacks inside Pakistan: US needs to first satisfy itself that Pakistan is unable to suppress the militants: Dr. James A Green

Published: September 9, 2008

The US raids into the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) have inflamed Pakistani public opinion. Seen as a violation of the Pakistan’s sovereignty, President Asif Zardari has recently suggested that these attacks were in violation of the UN Charter Article 2 (4)...........
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Madaaris Reforms: Status of Computer and English Education in Madaaris
Shahzada Saleem
Published: September 8, 2008

Musharraf regime launched a five-year madaaris reforms program worth an amount of Rs 5.759 billion. Government decided to provide computers, printers and qualified teachers for English and science subjects. But madaaris administrators and owners initially refused to take...........
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Bajaur Operation: Accomplishments and Needs
Yousaf Ali
Published: September 4, 2008

The people of restive Bajaur tribal agency heard the announcement of temporary ceasefire by the federal government with joy and majority of the internally displaced families rushed back to their hometowns. But the tragic incident of Monday evening (September 1) forced some of...........
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Global War on Terror: Who is Paying Hard Price?
Nayyar Zaidi
Published: March 11, 2008

Pakistan has been sacrificing lives of its soldiers and citizens in the US-led war on terror for the last seven years and what it has to reap is a severe criticism from the American statesmen and diplomats, from within and outside the US Congress. Their criticism is based on this...........
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Balochistan: Outcome of Polls and Reconciliation Outlook
Safdar Sial
Published: February 29, 2008

Historically, the province of Balochistan has produced coalition governments comprising of mainstream political parties, local groups and factions, and independent candidates, mostly Nawabs and Sardars, and this pattern is likely to be repeated as poll results for...........
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Post-Election Scenario (II): US Frustration Will Benefit Extremists
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: February 23, 2008

A clear verdict from Pakistani voters against pro-Musharraf political parties has stunned policymakers in Washington. The Bush administration has built its anti-terror strategy in the region around a single person i.e., President Pervez Musharraf. In return, he has...........
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Counter-Terrorism & Post-Election Scenario (1): Fighting Our Own War
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: February 22, 2008

The outcome of February-18 parliamentary elections has proved a great blow to President Musharraf and his policies especially the ongoing war against terrorism. He has successfully been maneuvering his policy on war on terror for having financial gains from the US, ...........
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Pakistan’s Troubled Electoral History
PIPS Report
Published: February 16, 2008

Pakistan has yet to settle several basic constitutional questions. Other than the role of the military in politics, Islam, ethnicity, provincial autonomy and the country’s geo-strategic engagements are some of the dominant themes in ever general elections in Pakistan. In the February...........
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Gwadar: Strategic Asset of Pakistan and Indian Concerns
PIPS Report
Published: February 16, 2008

World powers, especially the US and Russia have always remained deeply interested in Balochistan because of its strategic location, a long coast of warm waters and huge mineral reserves. The USSR had planned to access the ‘warm waters’ of the Arabian Sea through Balochistan...........
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Ideology: Clergy holds War on Terror Responsible for Terrorism

Published: February 11, 2008

Pakistani religious scholars, mostly the Deobandis, have suggested that President Musharraf should step down to save the country from suicide attacks and the current turmoil. As part of solution they also demanded the restoration of judiciary on November 3, 2007 position...........
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Election 2008: PIPS Survey Challenges Conventional Wisdom

Published: February 2, 2008

ISLAMABAD: They may use transport provided by an election candidate to go to polling stations, but Pakistani voters use their own mind when casting the ballot.According to a pre-election survey conducting by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), although 75 per cent voters...........
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Election 2008: Political Disintegration in Balochistan
Safdar Sial
Published: January 24, 2008

Politics in Balochistan has mostly remained in the grip of tribal elders and nationalist parties. In Baloch tribal areas the Sardars and Nawabs are in actual fact the political parties and they serve as engines of political vehicle. Political history of Balochistan is replete with such...........
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PIPS Security Report 2007: 1442 Attacks/Clashes took 3448 Lives

Published: January 7, 2008

Security situation in Pakistan during 2007 remained highly unsatisfactory amid terrorist attacks throughout the year. Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson, Benazir Bhutto's tragic assassination on December 27, 2007, and continued attacks on and kidnapping of Army personnel...........
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BB Martyrdom: Why al-Qaeda Denies its Involvement?
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: December 31, 2007

The contradictory statements on brutal assassination of Benazir Bhutto by state officials, and al-Qaeda and its associates leave confusion and suspicions around her martyrdom.Government claims that they had intercepted a telephone call made by some cleric to Baitullah Mehsud...........
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BB Martyrdom: How PPP Evades Establishment Trap?

Published: December 30, 2007

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s martyrdom has entirely changed the political scenario in Pakistan. All the national and international election polls, which were predicting the hung parliament, have lost their relevance. Her sacrificial...........
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Benazir’s Death Serves Whose Agenda?
Safdar Sial
Published: December 28, 2007

What is more tragic in reality than the Shakespearean tragedy in fiction can be seen with wide-open eyes and bleeding heart in the ‘political’ history of Pakistan [and with special reference to the Bhutto family]. The climax sequel of this tragedy was witnessed by the world on...........
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Frontiers of Extremism: The Radicalization of Borders
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: November 3, 2007

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) brought together over three hundred senior government officials, leading researchers, and many of the Institute’s influential members from around the world to discuss and address some of the world’s most critical issues at...........
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Terrorism: Attacking Our Own Soldiers
Safdar Sial
Published: September 25, 2007

Though not unprecedented in the history of Pakistan yet suicide attack on Special Services Group (SSG) commandoes on September 13 in Tarbela Ghazi was unique in the sense that it was highly targeted, intelligently planned and tactfully implemented attack in one of the high ...........
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Pak-Afghan: Grand or Grandeur Jirga!
Safdar Sial
Published: Auguat 7, 2007

The historical Bagh-e-Bala Loya Jirga tent behind International Hotel in Kabul will be hosting 700 members of the first ever 3-day Pak-Afghan Grand Jirga from August 9 inside a three ring security corridor established by ISAF, Afghan Army and the Police. Pakistani...........
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Terrorism: Mystery Shrouds Mehsud’s Death
Azhar Hassan
Published: Auguat 6, 2007

Though Abdullah Mehsud, the most important Taliban commander in the Pakistan after Baitullah Mehsud, was killed on July 24, 2007 in Zhob district of Balochistan, the way he was killed still remains a mystery that may not resolve till the cows come home.Noor Alam...........
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Refugee Crisis: Revisiting Afghan Diaspora
Azhar Hassan
Published: July 30, 2007

Origin of the Afghan influx,The Afghan refugee crisis dates back more than 28 years. Since 1978, as many as, one third of Afghanistan's 26 million inhabitants have been forced to flee their homes, temporarily or permanently. The first wave of Afghan refugees came in April of...........
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Lal Mosque: Aftermath and Future Repercussions
Safdar Sial
Published: July 16, 2007

Lal Mosque was just one piece of a ‘whole picture’ of religious extremism and violence in the country, which kept millions of people across the globe, stuck to their TV screens for more than a week. Now that the Lal Mosque saga is over, there are fears that many other pieces...........
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Conflict: Is the Lal Masjid Saga Over?
Safdar Sial
Published: July 12, 2007

The Operation Silence at last broke the silence when 66 persons including Lal Masjid deputy cleric Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, 55 militants and 9 soldiers were killed and over 130 injured as the security forces stormed the Lal Masjid-Jamia Hafsa complex and fought a...........
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Northern Areas: Identity Politics and Future of the Region
DJ Mathal
Published: 00 00, 2007

Members of Legislative Council Northern Areas, Imran Nadim, Hafiz Hafiz ur Rehman, and Dr. Muzafar Rallay presented their resolutions in the council demanding change in the name of Northern Areas, empowerment of the Deputy Chief Executive and advisors of...........
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Terrorism: How the Suicide Attackers Operate in Pakistan
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: 00 00, 2007

The wave of the suicide attacks has posed a new security threat to Pakistan. With the recent suicide attack in Charsada, the number of such attacks in the country has risen to over 20 in a year.Suicide attacks are not new phenomena in Pakistan as country has suffered...........
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Conflict: Lal Mosque's Terror Link
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: 00 00, 2007

Taking inspiration from the ‘courage’ of Lal Mosque’s administration, Muttahida Ulema Council of Bagh, Azad Kashmir has also announced to set up Shariah courts in the district. Interestingly, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl Group) has denounced the action of those at the helm...........
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Afghanistan: Taliban's Resurrection Affecting Pak-US Relations
Azhar Hassan
Published: 00 00, 2007

Sad it may be for the Bush administration, but it is a fact that US has not been successful in accomplishing the objectives for which it invaded Afghanistan in 2002. Though the death rate of US troops in Afghanistan is lesser than in Iraq yet it is a cause of great anger and...........
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Judicial Crisis: Where do Jihadis Stand?
Khuram Iqbal
Published: 00 00, 2007

This is fairly evident from the recent socio-political history of Pakistan that the Jihadis and Jihadi culture are becoming a significant phenomenon in the country. Jihadis are now opting multifaceted manifestation of their existence to advance and consolidate their...........
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Conflict: Children Library to Enforce Shariah?
Khuram Iqbal
Published: 00 00, 2007

CDA razed a century old Ameer Hamza Mosque on 24th January 2007 situated on Murree Road in Islamabad on the pretext of security risks. CDA opined that they had got an intelligence report that mosques situated on the VIP road could be used to launch terrorist attacks on...........
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Fatwa: Suicidal Attacks Termed Un-Islamic

Published: 00 00, 2007

After the wave of suicide attacks in Pakistan, a Karachi based Urdu daily “Ummat” conducted a survey for the issuance of fatwa (religious decree) against suicide attacks. Ulema from all schools of thought have declared suicidal attacks un-Islamic and forbidden it under the code of...........
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Pakistan: Father of Suicide Attacks in Pakistan Arrested
Mubasher Bukhari
Published: 00 00, 2007

A well-coordinated and action of joint teams of intelligence agencies and security forces not only saved Lahore from a series of suicide attacks but also led to arrest of chief of the most feared terrorist outfit in Pakistan, Lashkar e Jhangvi and his four accomplices. The terrorists...........
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Jihad Media: Ex-General in Spotlight
Mubasher Bukhari
Published: 00 00, 2007

Pakistani Jihad media, as usual, is playing role as the mouthpiece of Jihadist outfits, not only of Pakistan, but also of Iraq, Kashmir, Somalia, Palestine and Chechnya. Despite having very limited readership, it is effectively countering Western media. Publications of different...........
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Balochistan: Bugti Death wouldn’t help to heal the Wounds of Balochistan
SAN Report
Published: August 29, 2007

Veteran Baloch nationalist politician Nawab Akbar Bugt was killed in a military operation in Bhamboor Hills area between Kohlu and Dera Bugti on August 27’s night. Earlier reports indicated that Bugti's two grandsons, Mir Bramdagh and Mir Ali, as well as Mir Balach Marri...........
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Tribal Areas: Another Deal with Militants for Peace in Tribal Areas
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: September 7, 2006

A day before, President, General Pervaz Musharraf visit to Kabul, the government and local Taliban commanders signed a peace agreement in Miranshah on September 5, 2006. The peace agreement was inked to end two-year violence in North Waziristan. The Taliban had been...........
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Jihad: Pakistan Banned the Jihad Student Organization
Mubasher Bukhari
Published: September 7, 2006

Pakistan foiled a bid of outlawed Millat Islamia (formerly known as Sipah e Sahaba Pakistan) to promote sectarianism and jihad in Pakistan through its student wing by imposing ban on Islamic Students Movement of Pakistan (ISMP).ISMP is not a new organization but the...........
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Elections 2008: Will Taliban get Access to the Parliament?

Published: December 13, 2007

The Election Commission of Pakistan has issued Elections 2008 schedule and the political parties, which were showing apathetic and cynical political behaviour after imposition of emergency, have now changed their stance. On the other hand the government is pleased with this...........
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Lal Mosque: Aftermath and Future Repercussions
Safdar Sial
Published: November 24, 2007

Lal Mosque was just one piece of a ‘whole picture’ of religious extremism and violence in the country, which kept millions of people across the globe, stuck to their TV screens for more than a week. Now that the Lal Mosque saga is over, there are fears that many other pieces of...........
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Jihad: Terrorist Attacks and Jaish’s Dilemma
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: August 23, 2006

Jaish-e-Muhammad (JM), an outlawed jihadist group, suddenly reappeared on the scene is believed to be involved in six major terrorist acts during last five months including the UK aircraft plot, car bombing outside the US consulate in Karachi, President General Musharraf...........
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Dispute: Pakistan Position on Kashmir
Nazir Naji
Published: 00 00, 2006

Nazir Naji is a senior Urdu columnist, associated with Daily Jang. Recently, he wrote two pieces on Pakistan’s historical position on Kashmir. SoutAsiaNet is presenting translation of his columns. Comments of readers are welcomed.Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front’s Leader...........
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Tribal Areas: Will Bajaur Air Strike affect Peace Deals in Tribal Areas?
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: 00 00, 2006

Nazir Naji is a senior Urdu columnist, associated with Daily Jang. Recently, he wrote two pieces on Pakistan’s historical position on Kashmir. SoutAsiaNet is presenting translation of his columns. Comments of readers are welcomed.Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front’s Leader...........
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Ideology: The NWFP Government Struck a Deal with TSNM
Jamshed Ahmad
Published: August 22, 2006

The NWFP government, under a deal, has allowed the banned Tehrik Nifaz Shariat e Muhammadi (TSNM) to continue using its ‘illegal’ FM radio station, and the TSNM, in return, would not torch electronic entertainment shop.The government was forced to strike the deal to...........
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Madariss: Madariss Reluctant in Expelling Foreign Students
SAN Report
Published: August 16, 2006

The government has decided to expel all foreign students staying in Pakistan without no-objection certificates from their respective countries. But Madariss (religious schools) are reluctant to expel their illegal foreign students and the joint body of Madariss educational...........
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Tribal Areas: Implementation of Islamic rules goes on rapidly in N. Waziristan
Jamshed Ahmed
Published: August 16, 2006

As part of a drive for implementation of Islamic rule in North Waziristan, the local Taliban have issued warnings against the sale of electronic entertainment equipment including CDs while barbers have also have been directed not to shave off beard of any person...........
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Swat: A Symptom of a Deeper, Older Malady
Safdar Sial & Aqeel Yusafzai
Published: November 16, 2006

The idyllic valley of Swat, one of Pakistan’s main tourist attractions, has over the last six months turned into a theatre of insurgency by religious extremists. Led by Maulana Fazlullah, a village cleric and a leader of the ‘banned’ Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM)...........
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Tablighi Jamaat: Peaceful Preachers or Jihad Supporters?
Najum Mushtaq
Published: August 20, 2006

On November 10 over a million devout Muslim missionaries from all over the world gathered in Raiwind, in the outskirts of Lahore, Punjab, to attend the 3-day grand annual congregation of the Tablighi Jamaat (TJ). This missionary movement adheres to the Sunni-Deobandi...........
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Refugee Crisis: Revisiting Afghan Diaspora
Azhar Hassan
Published:July 30, 2007

The Afghan refugee crisis dates back more than 28 years. Since 1978, as many as, one third of Afghanistan's 26 million inhabitants have been forced to flee their homes, temporarily or permanently. The first wave of Afghan refugees came in April of that year (1978),...........
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Northern Areas: Sunni Curriculum Causing Unrest in Northern Areas of Pakistan
Ali Waqar
Published: February 22, 2006

The Northern Areas of Pakistan have been in the grip of sectarian tension for the last five years now and it has led to dozens of deaths and loss of an academic year to a large number of students. Many cities in the Northern Areas have been under curfew from time to time in recent...........
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Madariss: Militancy and Madariss in Pakistan: An Overstated Connection
Faizah A. Samat
Published: 00 00, 2006

MADRASAHS or religious schools in Pakistan have been on the receiving end of much bad publicity recently. Often labeled as “terror incubators” since September 11, these Pakistani madrasahs are of more than mere academic interest to Southeast Asia. After all, in September...........
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Jihad Media: Taliban & Kashmiri Militants getting Strong
Mubasher Bukhari
Published: 00 00, 2006

Kashmir: Jamaatud Dawa’s Weekly Ghazwa, Lahore (February 3-9) wrote: Seventeen Years of Kashmir Movement During 17 years of Kashmir’s Freedom Movement, 90635 Kashmiris martyred out of which 6819 were killed in police custody. Indian forces arrested...........
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Tribal Areas: First Ever Suicide Attack in Waziristan
SAN Report
Published: August 16, 2006

The 4 August suicide attack on the command base of security forces in South Waziristan is the first ever incident of its kind in the tribal area. It occurred at a time when a grand tribal jirga is trying for peace between militants and the government in the neighboring North...........
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Jihad: Investigations Started to Find Link between Muslim Charities and the UK Plot
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: August 16, 2006

British and Pakistani intelligence agencies are keenly analyzing the affairs of Muslim charities active in Pakistan on the suspicion that a couple of them might have connections with the alleged plot to blow up aircraft in the UK, intelligence sources told SAN. Pakistani...........
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Madariss: Reforming Madariss: a Comparative Perspective of South Asia and South East Asia
Faizah A Samat
Published: April 24, 2006

The Islamic schools in Southeast Asia and in Pakistan share some similarities and diverge on others. It helps for one to understand some characteristics of the schools in Southeast Asia while juxtaposing them to their Pakistan ’s counterpart before understanding why many of the...........
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Tribal Areas: Waziristan: Can Military Succeed Against Tribal Taliban?
Muhammad Amir Rana
Published: 00 00, 2006

Security forces have been claiming success in their struggle against tribal Taliban in Waziristan for last couple of years but threat of terrorist attacks in Pakistan still remains clear and present. In April 2006, military conducted 22 raids at the Taliban’s hideouts while the...........
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