The Danish Embassy in Islamabad was hit in a suicide car bomb attack on June 4 leaving at least eight people dead and dozens injured1. The Pakistan Foreign Office however clearly asserted that incident would not impinge on the ongoing peace talks with the militants2. The government also released 64 militants from Timergara jail as a result of the peace accord signed with the Tehrik-i-Taliban3.

Reports during the week citing PPP sources suggested that President Musharraf had consented to step down4. Gen. Musharraf however, addressing journalists in Islamabad on June 7 categorically stated that he did not intend to resign and that he was ready to face impeachment5.

Meanwhile, the budget session of the National Assembly began on June 2. Reports noted that the budget would be presented on June 106. Reports also noted that the deposed lawyers would proceed on a ‘long march’ to Islamabad on June 10 in order to push forward the process of their reinstatement7.

In other developments, the Pakistan government officially requested the United Nations to conduct a probe into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto which took place in December 20078.

• 1. Shakeel Anjum, “Eight killed in bomb blast outside Danish embassy,” The News, June 03, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 2. Baqir Sajjad Syed, “Danish embassy blast will not affect talks with militants: FO,” Dawn, June 6, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/06/top3.htm
• 3. Haleem Asad, “64 Swat ‘militants’ freed in Timergara,” Dawn, June 6, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/06/top2.htm
• 4. “Musharraf reconciled to exit,” Daily Times, June5, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\06\05\story_5-6-2008_pg1_1
• 5. Amir Wasim, “Musharraf ‘won’t resign,” Dawn, June 8, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/08/top1.htm
• 6. Raja Asghar, “NA meets today under shadow of crises,” Dawn, June 2, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/02/top9.htm
• 7. Nirupama Subramanian, “In Balochistan, democracy remobilizes nationalists,” The Hindu, June 6, 2008, at http://www.the hindu.com/2008/06/06/stories/2008060654560900.htm
• 8. Masood Haider, “UN formally asked to hold Benazir murder probe,” Dawn, June 7, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/07/top1.htm