1. Pakistan: Domestic Situation
Five people, including a US diplomat's wife and daughter, were killed and 41 others injured in a grenade attack on a church in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Pakistan government has ordered extras security measures around the US installations in the country. The attack was strongly condemned in Pakistani newspapers. Media reports indicate that the attack may have been carried out by organizations reacting to President Musharraf's crack down on militant Islamic groups.
"Five die in Islamabad church attack"
"Extra security for US installations"
"Yet another act of terror"
"Pakistani dissidents play deadly game"
"Policy shift triggers backlash from Islamists"
Omar Sheikh, main suspect in the Daniel Pearl murder case, told a Pakistani judge that "America would suffer if he is extradited" to the US. Meanwhile, a man who claimed to have killed Daniel Pearl has retracted his statement.
"America will suffer if I am extradited: Omar Sheikh"
"Pearl 'killer' takes about-face"
The Pakistan government has reportedly prepared an ordinance that provides for tighter control over religious schools. The government has also directed the provincial home secretaries to stop the publications of all the five banned militant organizations. According to an unconfirmed report, the Pakistani government has asked the four provinces to release those activists of banned religious organizations who are ready to disassociate themselves from their organization permanently.
"Law to tighten control on Madaris soon"
"Provinces told to stop publications of banned outfits"
"Activists pledging to leave banned outfits to be released"
Essays by Rasul Bakhsh Rais and Kuldip Nayar examine the issue of religion and politics in South Asia.
"Sociology of religious power"
"Religion and politics"
President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out any possibility of former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif of being allowed to stand for election in October's polls. According to an unconfirmed report President Musharraf might hold referendum for the continuation of his tenure as president. In his essay for Asia Times, Muddassir Rizvi suggests that preparations for elections "seem to be geared toward ensuring that President General Pervez Musharraf will have more powers than ever."
"Benazir, Nawaz can't contest elections"
"President may seek advice on referendum"
"Musharraf jockeys for poll position"
Kristan Schoultz, country adviser to the UN HIV/AIDS Program, has warned that Pakistan "must act quickly to halt the spread of AIDS."
"Pakistanis vulnerable to AIDS infection in several ways"