Report: Pakistan quietly conveys to United States that information on North Waziristan Operations not to be publicized; Hatf VII missile successfully test fired; Indian delegation led by the Indian commerce secretary visits Islamabad for talks; US sanctio
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  • According to reports, Pakistan has quietly conveyed to the United States to not make any public statement on its planned operation against militants in the restive North Waziristan Agency bordering Afghanistan. The advice stems from the fact that any remarks by American officials may complicate the Pakistani authorities’ plan to create the ‘necessary environment’ for the Waziristan offensive, a senior government official said on the condition of anonymity. 1

    Reports noted that Pakistan on September 17, conducted a successful test fire of the indigenously developed multi-tube cruise missile Hatf-VII (Babur), having a range of 700 kilometers, Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement on Monday. Babur cruise missile is a low-flying, terrain-hugging missile, which can strike targets both at land and sea with pin-point accuracy, the statement added.

    The test was witnessed by Director-General Strategic Plans Division Lieutunent General (retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Chairman National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom) Muhammad Irfan Burney, senior officers from the armed forces and strategic organisations. 2

    According to reports, a high-level 19-member Indian delegation led by the Indian commerce secretary arrived in Islamabad on September 19, for two-day talks with Secretary Qureshi. Pakistan and India were expected to formally sign three crucial agreements today to give a fillip to economic activity between the two countries as they move ahead with the trade liberalisation process adopted a few months ago. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, US sanctions against the Pakistan-based Haqqani network of militants have come into force following the Obama administration’s decision to designate the group a ”foreign terrorist organization.” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said earlier this month that the step would be taken. The decision was formalized Wednesday with the publication of the announcement in the Federal Register. The move freezes any assets that the group or its members have in US jurisdictions. It also bans Americans from doing business with them. 4

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