1. Pakistan: Domestic Situation
There has been another round of reshuffling at the top level of
the
Pakistan army.
"Major shake-up in Army"
2002/main/main14.htm
Ten Shia Muslims were killed when a Shiite mosque was attacked.
Two
recently outlawed sectarian Sunni groups - Lashkar-i-Jhangvi and
Sipah-
i-Sahaba of Pakistan - are believed to be responsible for the
attack.
Nadeem Iqbal's essay in the Asia Times argues that religious
extremist
in Pakistan are far from being eliminated. Daily News, Pakistan,
reports that the government is unlikely to appeal a court ruling
that
blocked induction of armed forces officers into the Anti-
Terrorism
Courts.
"10 killed in Pindi mosque firing"
2002/main/main2.htm
"Police blame outlawed Sunni groups for mosque massacre"
2002/metro/i2.htm
"Pakistan lacks legal clout to curb violence"
"Govt unlikely to challenge LHC decision on ATCs"
2002/main/main6.htm
Pakistani columnist M.B. Naqvi believes that President
Musharraf's
political restructuring are designed to keep him in power beyond
October
2002 general elections.
"The Musharraf design"
2002/oped/o4.htm
UN Drug Control Programme official Thomas Zeiend has stated that
Pakistan has one of the highest opiate addition rates in the
world.
Pakistani health authorities have placed more than 100 people
under
quarantine on the suspicion of carrying the highly contagious
Congo
virus.
"Pakistan has one of the highest opiate addiction rates: UN"
"Congo fever spreads its deadly reach in Pakistan"
Pakistani court has recorded the confessional statement of
another
person accused in the US journalist Daniel Pearl's abduction and
murder
case. Meanwhile, it is not clear if Sheikh Omar - the alleged
mastermind behind Pearl's murder - will be extradited to the US
or not.
"Another accused records statement: Daniel Pearl case"
"Omar to be tried first in Pakistan, says official"