The Federal cabinet was expanded on November 4 with President Zardari administering the oath to 40 new ministers, 18 of whom were ministers of state. Portfolios of some of the ministers were also changed1.

US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher and US Centcom Chief Gen. David Petraeus visited Islamabad on November 2 to discuss issues relating to the ongoing ‘war on terror’ with the political and military establishment in Pakistan2. Reports noted President Zardari telling the visiting delegation that US missile attacks inside Pakistan were proving “counter productive3.”

The IMF meanwhile agreed to give Pakistan a loan worth $9 billion over the next two years. The loan would help Pakistan meet the difficult economic situation with in the country4. In another development, two officials of Khanani and Kalia International (KKI) were arrested on November 7 on charges of illegally transferring billions of dollars outside the country5.

In continuing violence in the restive Bajaur province, 22 tribal people were killed and at least 45 injured in a suicide bomb attack on November 66. A day later, 20 militants were killed in the same region in security operations which also involved air strikes7.

• 1. “Ahmed Hassan Fahim among 40 new ministers,” Dawn, November 4, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/04/top2.htm
• 2. “Petraeus and Boucher arrive in Islamabad,” Dawn, November 3, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/03/top2.htm
• 3. Iftikhar A. Khan, “American general warned over missile attacks,” Dawn, November 3, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/04/top1.htm
• 4. “$9bn IMF loan over two years,” Daily Times, November 8, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\11\08\story_8-11-2008_pg1_1
• 5. Salman Siddiqui, “Kalia, Khanani held in forex scandal,” The News, November 9, 2008, at http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 6. “Bomber strikes Salarzai jirga in Bajaur kills 22,” Daily Times, November 7, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\11\07\story_7-11-2008_pg1_1
• 7. “Anwarullah Khan, Operation continues in Bajaur: 20 militants dead,” Dawn, November 8, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/08/top3.htm