At least 90 people killed in a suicide bomb attack during a volleyball match in Lakki Marwat; Karachi engulfed in riots in the aftermath of Ashura attack; TTP claims responsibility for the Muharram attack; President Zardari pledges to defend democracy;
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    • At least 90 people were reportedly killed and 40 seriously injured in a suicide bomb attack in Shah Hasan Khel Village, Lakki Marwat on January 1.1 A truck full of explosives was driven into the wall of the premises where a volleyball match was being held. The toll was expected to rise as several of the injured were in a critical state as noted by chief of the police in NWFP.2

    Meanwhile, violence erupted in Karachi after the main Ashura procession was attacked on Muharram on December 28. The agitated mourners attacked buildings and burnt shops and cars which resulted in a total loss of property worth Rs 30-35 billion.3 In related development, the TTP has taken responsibility of the Ashura attack. Reports noted that Asmatullah Khan, a senior Taliban commander said more attacks would follow in different parts of the country in the coming week.4

    President Zardari taking a tough stand stated he will make all possible efforts to thwart the threat of disintegration from the non state actors in Pakistan. Zardari further noted that “institutions being pitted against each other” are undermining the interests of the country. He was addressing a rally to commemorate the second death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto in Naudero on December 27.5

    In other developments, speaking about the terrorists’ safe havens, President Obama especially mentioned 4 countries- Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen where conspiracies against US were being hatched, as noted in a White House statement. Obama named these 4 states in context of the failed attempt to bomb an American airliner on December 25, 2009.6

    In an unprecedented move, leading media houses in India and Pakistan inaugurated the project ‘Aman ki Asha’ which is a joint cross border initiative to promote peace between the two countries.7

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