The New York Times in a report published on September 11 revealed that US President George Bush had approved the use of Special Forces personnel inside Pakistani territory, without the prior approval of Islamabad1. The Pakistani establishment reacted strongly to the report with Chief of Army Staff Gen. Pervez Kayani asserting that “no external force would be allowed to conduct operations inside Pakistan2.” However, reports noted that air strikes by the United States within Pakistani territory continued. A US missile strike in North Waziristan on September 12 for instance killed at least 12 people and injured 14 others3.

Mr. Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in as the new President on September 9. Shortly after the oath-taking ceremony, Zardari stated that the President will be “subservient” to the authority of the Parliament4. Earlier, the PML-N decided not to be part of the coalition government despite Mr. Zardari’s offer to them on September 85.

Prime Minister Gilani meanwhile reasserted his conviction to restore the 1973 constitution. He was addressing a delegation of members of the US Congress in Islamabad on September 76.

In other developments, at least 60 militants were killed during security operation in Bajaur Agency on September 137. Also, security forces reportedly killed 8 militants in Swat on September 118.

• 1. Eric Schmitt and Mark Mazzeti, “Bush said to give orders Allowing Raids in Pakistan,“ The New York Times, September 11, 2008, at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/washington/11policy.html?adxnnl=1&ref=...
• 2. “US not allowed to conduct Ops inside Pakistan: Kayani,” Daily Times, September 11, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\11\story_11-9-2008_pg1_1
• 3. “New US attack mocks talk of sovereignty: Missile kills 12 in North Waziristan,” Dawn, September 13, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/09/13/top1.htm
• 4. Sajjad Malik, “Zardari takes oath as President: ‘President will be subservient to parliament’,” Daily Times, September 10, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\10\story_10-9-2008_pg1_1
• 5. Amir Wasim, “PML-N declines to rejoin coalition,” Dawn, September 9, 2008, at http://www.dawn.com/2008/09/09/top2.htm
• 6. “PM vows to restore 1973 Constitution,” Daily Times, September 8, 2008, at http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\08\story_8-9-2008_pg1_1
• 7. Mushtaq Yusufzai, “60 die in fierce Bajaur fighting,” The News, September 14, 2008, at http://thenews.jang.com.pk/arc_default.asp
• 8. Hameedullah Khan, “New attacks on Swat militants; 8 killed,” Dawn, September 12, 2008 at http://www.dawn.com/2008/09/12/top5.htm