Series of bomb attacks in Lahore kill nearly 100; 16 militants killed in Orakzai air strikes by PAF in response to Lahore blasts; Karzai visits Islamabad, says Pakistan and Afghanistan are “conjoined twins” with “linked destinies”;
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    • Twin bomb blasts in Lahore killed at least 57 people including 8 soldiers on March 11. The incident in a busy market place in the Cantonment area left over 90 injured. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks.1 Earlier on March 9, an explosives-laden vehicle rammed against the offices of the Special Investigation Agency (SIT) in the city. 12 people were killed in that particular attack for which the Tehrik-i-Taliban claimed responsibility.2

    Meanwhile, in continuing operations, 16 militants were reportedly killed in Orakzai when the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) targeted militant hideouts in the area. The PAF action was in response to the Lahore suicide bombings.3

    Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited Islamabad on March 10. Addressing a joint press conference with PM Gilani, he referred to the two sates as “conjoined twins” with “linked destinies” and urged better bilateral ties between the two countries.4 President Zardari on his part remarked that a package similar to the Marshall plan would be useful in eliminating militancy from the region.5

    In other developments, Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha’s tenure as a three-star general and as chief of the ISI was extended by another year on the recommendation of Army Chief Kayani.6

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