1. Pakistan: Domestic Situation
According to a daily News report, Pakistani government has "credible information that militants angered by President Pervez Musharraf's support for the US-led war on terror might launch attacks in Karachi on September 11." Pakistan security forces have arrested 13 activists of banned Haraktul Mujahideen and seized explosives and computer discs containing "speeches of Osama bin Laden and instructions of bomb-making."
"Govt fears terror attacks on Sept 11 in Karachi"
"13 Harakat men held with weapons and CDs"
The daily News reports that General Tommy Franks, head of the US Central Command, has suggested that the anti-terror operations "needed to look at countries neighbouring Afghanistan." An editorial in the daily Nation views General Franks comments as recalling "the worst fears of perceptive minds in Pakistan that the free rein we have given to the coalition forces to utilise our facilities for operating against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda could have ominous consequences for us." Meanwhile, residents of Pakistan's border areas have warned that US troops could face attack if they launched a hunt in their semi-autonomous tribal region for al-Qaeda fighters.
"US general looks beyond Afghanistan in war on terror"
"Stretching search for terrorists"
"Pak tribal leaders warn US troops of attacks"
The Daily Times published an interview with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and a staunch supporter of the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
"Interview with Maulana Fazlur Rehman"
Political parties in Pakistan will be allowed to conduct their political activities from September 1. Essays by Imtiaz Alam and M.B. Naqvi examine the process, and possible outcomes, of the scheduled October general elections in Pakistan.
"Ban on political activities to go on Sept 1"
"End of the Republic?"
"A leap backward"
Pakistan Navy has launched the second, domestically built, Agosta 90-B submarine.
"First home-made Agosta launched"