In a tragic development, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti was assassinated in Islamabad on March 2nd for his alleged opposition to the misuse of the blasphemy law. This follows just 57 days after Governor of Punjab Mr Salman Taseer was assassinated for his opposition to the same law, by his own guard on January 4. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Punjab has claimed responsibility for the attack. 1

According to reports, peace talks between Pakistan and India will finally resume on March 28 in New Delhi when the interior secretaries of respective countries meet under the renewed dialogue process to discuss counter-terrorism, with a special focus on progress made by Pakistan in the trial of Mumbai suspects. Besides issues of terrorism, narcotics control and humanitarian issues are on the agenda as well. The dialogue process is indicative of turning point in relations between the two countries which were stalled after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.2

Meanwhile, Britain has announced that it was doubling its development aid for Pakistan over the next four years, on the condition of Islamabad’s progress on reform agenda. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson explained that the increase in aid was meant to “unlock the potential “of Pakistani youth and it was mainly directed for education and literacy purposes.3

According to reports, the Pakistani Intelligence Agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is trying to redefine its terms of engagements with its American counterpart, CIA before settlement of jailed US operative Raymond Davies issue. The Chief of the Office of (US) Defense Representative in Pakistan, Vice Admiral Michael Lefever attended monthly White House Meeting on Af-Pak over video teleconferencing which confirmed the issue.4

In other developments, reports noted that the Government of Pakistan has ordered three investigations into delays in raising timely objections over India’s efforts to secure international credit incentives to construct hydropower projects what it views as a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. The objection has been raised to enquire how New Delhi secured carbon credits from the United Nations for two hydropower projects Chutak and Nimoo-Bazgo without clearance from Pakistan on environmental impact. 5

• 1. “Terrorists silence another voice of interfaith harmony”, Dawn, March 3 at http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/03/terrorists-silence-another-voice-of-inter...
• 2. “Islamabad, Delhi to hold talks on 28th “ , Dawn, March 4 at http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/04/islamabad-delhi-to-hold-talks-on-28th.html
• 3. “Britain to double Pakistan Aid”, Dawn, March 3 at http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/03/britain-to-double-pakistan-aid.html
• 4. “ISI redefining terms of engagement with CIA”, Dawn, March 6 at http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/06/isi-redefining-terms-of-engagement-with-c...
• 5. “Government wakes up to India’s Hydel projects”, Dawn, February 28
  at http://www.dawn.com/2011/02/28/govt-wakes-up-to-indias-hydel-projects.html