Sectarian violence erupted in North West Frontier Province: at least 35 killed in suicide bombing on Shiite Ashura procession and subsequent unrest. Government officials blamed external elements rather than local sectarian tensions, while local Shiite leaders blamed government for failing to curb Sunni militants. 5 days of increasingly violent protests held to denounce publication of cartoons of Prophet Mohammed in western media. Protests turned deadly in Lahore and Peshawar; 5 reported killed. Islamist coalition Muttahida Majlis- i-Amal leader, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, briefly held under house arrest to prevent him leading Islamabad rally 19 February. Unrest continued in South Waziristan as 3 soldiers killed by roadside bomb 5 February. Balochistan rebels intensified insurgency with 2 February rocket attack and 5 February bus bomb: at least 21 killed. Nationwide protest planned against 3 March visit of U.S. President Bush.

Major military operations and militant activity continued in Waziristan tribal region and Balochistan province. Clashes in North Waziristan killed at least 37. Government claimed 12 militants killed in attack on Balochistan gas field 11 January. Baloch opposition claimed 12 custodial deaths by Frontier Constabulary. U.S. air strike killed at least 18 villagers in Bajaur tribal agency bordering Afghanistan, prompting widespread protests.

Violence escalated in Waziristan tribal area and Balochistan province. In South Waziristan 12 killed by market bomb in Jandola while 22 killed in separate clashes between Islamist students and bandits in neighbouring North Waziristan. Balochistan unrest worsened as insurgents attacked railway line, fired rockets at government buildings and blew up bridge in response to military operation launched 18 December; unconfirmed reports of heavy casualties. Madrasa leaders rejected government deadline to expel foreign students from religious schools by year-end.

Responding to domestic criticism over government’s response to earthquake, President Musharraf deferred procurement of F-16s from U.S. International donors pledged $5.8 billion in aid amid growing concerns for estimated 3.5 million homeless. 15 November blast outside Karachi offices of state-run petroleum company killed 3; 3 alleged Baloch Liberation Army members arrested. Interior Minister Khan Sherpao announced new force to tighten security at national installations in Balochistan province.

Massive  earthquake  in  north  killed  55,000; 18,000 in North West Frontier Province. NATO approved dispatch of medics and hundreds of military engineers to clear roads and help reconstruction. Clashes between militants and security forces continued in North and South Waziristan. Gunmen attacked Ahmadi community in Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, killing 8. Final phase of local government polls 5 October marred by large-scale rigging; results rejected by opposition parties.

Bombs in Lahore 22 September killed 9. Continuing unrest in Balochistan including 2 blasts in Kalat targeting infrastructure. Security forces claimed 35 suspected al Qaeda-linked militants killed North Waziristan near Afghan border end September; operations increased after 2 officials killed in Miranshah 5 September. Provisional agreement on dispute with religious schools over registration after both sides accepted to place demand on non-disclosure of funding and non-interference in curricula before parliament. Musharraf assured government’s support to curb violence against women but denounced those who singled out Pakistan for criticism provoking reaction from rights groups.

Facing concerted opposition from religious allies, General Musharraf backtracked on promises to clamp down on home-grown extremists and reform madrasas. Musharraf watered down pledge to introduce new law to regulate seminaries that would include mandatory registration, financial oversight, and curriculum reform. Meanwhile, many extremists arrested under Maintenance of Public Order Act released. More than 40 killed and hundreds wounded in clashes during first 2 phases of local body elections. Opposition complained of widespread rigging and intimidation - echoed by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Ruling party and allies led in Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh; opposition parties made limited gains in North West Frontier Province.

International pressure on Islamabad to deal with madrasas, jihadi training camps and cross-border infiltrations increased. UK investigations revealed 3 of 4 suicide bombers responsible for 7 July London attacks recently visited Lahore madrasas, including Laskhar-i-Tayyaba’s Muredke madrasa, known as jihadi training centre, and madrasa Manzoor-ul- Islam, connected to terrorist organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammad, banned 2002 by President Musharraf. New measures announced including registration of all religious schools with government by December. 600 suspected extremists, including 250 members of banned Islamist organisations, arrested in series of raids. Deadly clashes continued in North and South Waziristan tribal agency: U.S.-led coalition troops from Afghanistan and Pakistan security forces killed 41 militants near Afghan border; tribal leader and 4 others shot dead in South Waziristan. Wave of sectarian violence in Gilgit claimed 10 after attacks on bus near Chilas further ignited fighting between rival groups.

Sectarian violence continued in Karachi with 23 June killing of 2 Sunni Muslim clerics. Sub-committee of Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan released long- awaited recommendations, including development package and proposed gas and petroleum royalty be paid to extraction areas; report to go to Senate and National Assembly for approval.

Wave of sectarian violence killed at least 30: suicide bomber in Islamabad Shia shrine 27 May killed 19; second blast in Karachi mosque 30 May claimed 5, followed by riot in which 6 burned to death inside fast-food restaurant. Government continued attempts to silence civilian critics: “Mini- marathon” rally against arbitrary curbs on women by religious extremists held by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights attacked by police 14 May; founding member of HRCP and Crisis Group board member Asma Jahangir among 40 temporarily detained; second rally unimpeded 21 May. Nawab Bugti accused government of failing to implement troop withdrawal, as insurgent attacks continued in Balochistan. Talks held with India 26-27 May to discuss Siachen Glacier and Sir Creek border disputes ended without progress.