Order Code RS21584
Updated May 24, 2005
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Pakistan: Chronology of Recent Events
K. Alan Kronstadt
Analyst in Asian Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Summary
This report provides a reverse chronology of recent events involving Pakistan and
Pakistan-U.S. relations. Sources include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Department of
State, New York Times, Washington Post, Dawn (Karachi), Daily Times (Lahore), News
International (Karachi), and major newswires. For a substantive review, see CRS Issue
Brief IB94041, Pakistan-U.S. Relations. This report will be updated regularly.
05/24/05 — New York-based Human Rights
Acronyms:
Watch accused the U.S.
LOC:
Line of Control (Kashmir)
government of “turning a blind
MMA: Muttahida
Majlis-e-Amal
eye” to the alleged torture and
PPP: Pakistan People’s Party
illegal detention of two U.S.
citizens in Pakistan. On the
same day, Pakistan reported arresting seven foreigners near the Afghan
border who were suspected of having links with militant groups.
05/22/05 — Rockets fired by a U.S. helicopter reportedly killed five Pakistanis in
a North Waziristan town one kilometer from the Afghan border. Artillery
shells fired by U.S.-led forces pursuing a small group of insurgents also
reportedly fell in Pakistani territory.
05/20/05 — Police in Multan reportedly arrested three alleged Al Qaeda collaborators.
05/19/05 — Two U.S. citizens of Pakistani origin claimed that they had been detained
in Pakistan for nine months, and were beaten by Pakistani agents and
interrogated by F.B.I. agents before being released without charges. On
the same day, Pakistan’s navy chief said that the new port at Gwadar
would not be used for military purposes.
05/18/05 — The House passed H.Res. 272, recognizing the historic steps India and
Pakistan have taken toward achieving bilateral peace. On the same day,
security agents in Lahore reportedly arrested two members of the outlawed
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorist group.
05/17/05 — Information Minister Rashid said that President Musharraf “will
continue as president after 2007.” Opposition parties condemned the
announcement as evidence of “dictatorial designs.” Musharraf himself
later called the announcement a “personal opinion, not my own.”
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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05/16/05 — A U.S. Army colonel said that insurgents continue to cross into
Afghanistan to attack U.S.-led forces there before returning to Pakistan.
05/15/05 — President Musharraf claimed that Pakistan had “broken their [Al Qaeda’s]
back” with recent arrests. On the same day, Newsweek magazine
apologized for a recent story which alleged desecration of a Koran at the
U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay. The Islamabad government later
reiterated its demand for an investigation into the allegations.
05/14/05 — Press reports claimed that a U.S. Predator drone had fired a missile on
Pakistani territory, killing suspected Al Qaeda explosives expert Haithem
al-Yemeni. Pakistan denied the reports. On the same day, police in
Lahore used force to disperse a group of human rights activists who had
staged a “mixed marathon” including men and women. A former
chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan was among
those “brutally dragged” into police vans and detained for several hours.
Also, a journalist working for Reuters was shot and injured by
unidentified gunmen in a tribal area near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
05/13/05 — Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a resolution condemning the alleged
desecration of a Koran at the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay.
05/12/05 — Foreign Minister Kasuri said that captured militant Abu Faraj al-Libbi
would not be remanded to U.S. custody until after standing trial.
05/11/05 — An emergency supplemental appropriations bill became P.L. 109-13. The
bill allows that up to $1.22 billion in Pentagon funds be used to reimburse
Pakistan and other key cooperating nations for their support of U.S.
military operations. On the same day, the U.S. Commission on
International Religious Freedom released an annual report which claimed
that, “The response of the government of Pakistan to persistent and
religiously motivated violence in Pakistan continues to be inadequate” and
again recommended that Pakistan be designated a Country of Particular
Concern. Also, President Musharraf announced that former prime
ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif would not be allowed to
return to Pakistan from exile to participate in planned 2007 elections.
Finally, Interior Minister Sherpao said that captured militant Abu Faraj al-
Libbi was behind a July 2004 attempt to assassinate PM Aziz.
05/10/05 — After consulting with the Indian and Pakistani governments, the World
Bank named a Swiss engineer to serve as Neutral Expert to address the
dispute over a dam India is constructing on the Chenab River in Baghliar,
Kashmir. On the same day, the Islamabad government expressed “serious
concern” to U.S. officials about allegations that a copy of the Koran had
been desecrated at the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay. A State
Department spokesman later called any such desecration “abhorrent” and
said the allegations would be “thoroughly investigated.” Also, tribal
leaders in the southwestern Baluchistan province said that “peace has
collapsed” there due to alleged central government malfeasance. Finally,
U.S. and Pakistani officials met in Islamabad for three days of negotiation
on a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
05/09/05 — A Newsweek magazine report alleging that a copy of the Koran had been
desecrated at the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay allegedly spurred four
days of violent anti-U.S. protests in both Afghanistan and Pakistan,
although senior U.S. and Afghan officials later disputed the connection.
On the same day, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a resolution

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condemning the publication of a “derogatory” cartoon about Pakistan in
the Washington Times. Also, police in the southern Sindh province
reportedly arrested five members of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorist group
wanted in connection with sectarian attacks that left 15 Shiites dead in
2003. Finally, a senior Pakistani air force officer said that Pakistan and
China had agreed to begin co-production of at least 400 new JF-17
“Thunder” fighter aircraft.
05/08/05 — Information provided by captured militant Abu Faraj al-Libbi reportedly
led to the arrest of six suspected Al Qaeda members.
05/06/05 — The Pentagon notified Congress of two possible Foreign Military
Sales to Pakistan worth up to $226 million. The deals involve 300
Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and 60 Harpoon anti-ship missiles. On the
same day, Prime Minister Aziz said that Pakistan would not be open to
investment from Indian companies until more progress is made “on many
issues, including the core issue of Kashmir.”
05/04/05 — The Islamabad government announced having captured Abu Faraj
al-Libbi, a Libyan native wanted in connection with lethal attempts to
assassinate President Musharraf in December 2003. Libbi, captured in the
northwestern city of Mardan, was described by some terrorism analysts as
being the third-most senior Al Qaeda operative, although others disputed
this claim. President Bush said Libbi was “a direct threat to America” and
called his capture “a critical victory in the war on terror.” On the same
day, police in the northern Gilgit region reportedly arrested 148 people
allegedly involved in 127 cases of sectarian violence there.
05/03/05 — Police in Islamabad and Lahore used batons to break up gatherings
of journalists marking World Press Freedom Day, injuring nine and
detaining 30 more. The arrests came hours after Pakistan’s information
minister told a seminar that the media was free in Pakistan.
05/02/05 — The Commander of the U.S. Central Command, Gen. Abizaid, visited
Islamabad for consultations on regional security. On the same day, a
Parliamentary Committee on Baluchistan reportedly decided to provide
the southwestern province with some $100 million in gas royalty arrears.
04/30/05 — Japan’s prime minister visited Islamabad, where he and President
Musharraf agreed to reinvigorate bilateral economic ties in the interest of
regional stability.
04/29/05 — Education Minister Qazi proposed that the Islamabad government allocate
4% of the country’s GDP to education. This would nearly double current
allocations.
04/28/05 — A powerful bomb exploded in a remote area of northwestern Pakistan,
killing two suspected Islamic militants.
04/27/05 — The U.S. State Department released its Country Reports on Terrorism
2004, which called Pakistan one of the most important U.S. partners in the
war on terrorism and said Pakistan in 2004 achieved notable gains in
efforts to combat terrorism.
04/26/05 — The top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Barno, said that
the United States was training Pakistani special forces soldiers in night
flying and airborne assault tactics.
04/21/05 — Hundreds of Pakistani troops reportedly launched search operations for
foreign militants in North Waziristan near the Afghan border.

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04/19/05 — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on “Combating
Terrorism With Education,” concentrating on the Middle East and South
Asia. On the same day, a senior Pakistan military official warned of
military operations in North Waziristan if tribal leaders there did not take
action to expel foreign militants from the region.
04/18/05 — Following meetings between President Musharraf and Indian PM Singh,
Pakistan and India released a joint statement calling their bilateral
peace process “irreversible” and agreeing to move forward on a broad
range of fronts, including increased trade and confidence-building
measures related to Kashmir. On the same day, the top U.S. military
commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Barno, said that Pakistan was preparing
to launch military operations in North Waziristan near the Afghan border.
A Pakistani general later denied the claim and called Gen. Barno’s
comments “highly irresponsible.” Also, New York-based Human Rights
Watch requested that the Pakistani government immediately release
thousands of opposition PPP supporters who had been arrested in nation-
wide sweeps preceding the return to Lahore of Asif Zardari, husband of
former PM Benazir Bhutto and leading PPP figure.
04/17/05 — India released 156 Pakistani fishermen who had been held for illegal
fishing in India’s territorial waters.
04/16/05 — President Musharraf arrived in India bearing a “message of peace” and
declaring his visit “very historic.” On the same day, Asif Zardari, the
husband of former PM Benazir Bhutto, returned to Lahore from overseas
and was placed in “protective custody” by authorities.
04/15/05 — In an effort to block a rally planned to welcome the return to Lahore of
Asif Zardari, the husband of former PM Benazir Bhutto, police arrested
thousands of activists of the opposition PPP and some senior party
leaders, and blocked travel routes around the city.
04/14/05 — President Musharraf called the new trans-LOC bus service in Kashmir
“the first step to converting [the LOC] into a soft border” and reiterated
that Pakistan “cannot accept the Line of Control to be a final solution.”
On the same day, police in Quetta announced having arrested four
suspected members of the sectarian Sipah-e-Sahaba terrorist group for
their alleged role in a lethal 3/19 attack on Shia shrine.
04/13/05 — Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld met with President Musharraf in
Islamabad for talks on counterterrorism and other issues.
04/12/05 — H.R. 1553, to prohibit the provision of military equipment to Pakistan,
was introduced in the House.
04/08/05 — A U.S. federal indictment against Pakistani businessman Humayan
Khan alleged that he violated U.S. laws by clandestinely purchasing U.S.-
made high technology components then shipping them through South
Africa for use in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program. Khan alleged
partner, Asher Karni, an Israeli living in South Africa, has already pleaded
guilty for his role. A Pakistani official called the charges baseless.
04/07/05 — A new bus service was launched linking Muzaffarabad in Pakistani
Kashmir and Srinagar in Indian Kashmir. The service is a major
confidence-building measure that allows separated Kashmiri families to
reunite for the first time since 1947. A State Department spokesman
applauded “the courage of the Kashmiri passengers who made this historic

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journey” and congratulated “the leaders of India and Pakistan for their
vision in launching this initiative on behalf of the people of Kashmir.” On
the same day, Japan announced that it would resume yen loans to Pakistan
that had been suspended after May 1998 nuclear tests.
04/06/05 — The U.S. Agency for International Development announced plans to spend
up to $90 million on a Fulbright Program that will enable up to 600
Pakistanis the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the United States.
04/05/05 — Chinese PM Wen Jiabao visited Islamabad, where Pakistan and China
signed 22 pacts meant to bolster bilateral cooperation in numerous areas.
04/04/05 — The Defense Ministry announced that Pakistan had signed an agreement
to purchase new four naval frigates from China.
04/03/05 — Police in the eastern city of Gujranwala clashed with Islamist protestors
who opposed women’s participation in a 10km road race there. Some 900
MMA supporters, reportedly bused into the area from the North West
Frontier Province, had attacked race participants.
04/02/05 — Police in Karachi arrested five suspected Shia militants who appeared to
be planning a major sectarian attack. On the same day, President
Musharraf told an audience in Quetta that “the Army is in the barracks and
have [sic] no role in politics.” An opposition party parliamentarian later
disputed the claim, saying that 831 military officers are employed by
federal and provincial government departments.
04/01/05 — A nationwide strike organized by the Islamist MMA coalition resulted in
police arresting up to 2,000 protestors in both Lahore and Karachi.
On the same day, a prominent Shia scholar was shot and killed in Lahore
in a suspected sectarian attack.
03/29/05 — Foreign Minister Kasuri said that Pakistan was sending “old and useless
parts of outdated centrifuges” to international investigators looking
into Iran’s nuclear program.
03/28/05 — A State Department report on Supporting Human Rights and Democracy
noted that, “[Pakistan’s] political parties are generally weak, undemocratic
institutions centered on personalities instead of politics.”
03/25/05 — The United States announced that it would resume sales of F-16
fighters to Pakistan.
03/24/05 — Prime Minster Aziz’s cabinet called for a restoration of a religious
column on Pakistani passports, thus reversing an earlier decision to
remove the column. Critics called the decision incompatible with a policy
of “enlightened moderation.”
03/23/05 — Twenty Members of the House wrote a letter to President Bush urging
him to block the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan as such a sale would
“undermine our long-term strategic interests in South Asia” and “squander
an opportunity” to continue building positive relations with India. On the
same day, in a Lahore rally organized by the Islamist MMA, thousands
of Pakistanis took to the streets in protest against the government of
President Musharraf.
03/20/05 — In a Karachi rally organized by the Islamist MMA, tens of thousands of
Pakistanis took to the streets in protest against the government of
President Musharraf. On the same day, Pakistan freed 529 Indian
fishermen who had been held for illegal fishing in Pakistan’s territorial

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waters. Also, rebellious tribesmen surrounded some 300 Pakistani
soldiers in the southwestern Baluchistan province.
03/19/05 — At least 40 people were killed and scores injured when a bomb
exploded at a religious shrine in remote part of the southwestern
Baluchistan province. On the same day, Pakistan test-fired a nuclear-
capable Shaheen II medium-range ballistic missile.
03/18/05 — Bombs exploded on passenger trains in the southwestern Baluchistan
province, killing two people and injuring another ten.
03/17/05 — The U.S. Defense Intelligence Director told a Senate Armed Services
Committee panel that “international and indigenous terrorists pose a high
threat to senior Pakistani government officials, military officers, and U.S.
interests,” and, “If Musharraf were assassinated or otherwise replaced,
Pakistan’s leader would be less pro-U.S.” On the same day, Pakistani
soldiers used helicopter gunships and other heavy weapons to battle
rebellious tribesmen in the southwestern Baluchistan province.
03/16/05 — Secretary of State Rice arrived in Islamabad where she met with Prime
Minister Aziz and President Musharraf and told the Pakistani people that
“the United States will be a friend for life.”
03/14/05 — U.S. Navy personnel reportedly arrested nine Pakistani nationals and
seized nearly three tons of hashish from a ship intercepted off the
Pakistani coast. On the same day, two Pakistani doctors were each
sentenced to seven years in prison for providing financial and medical aid
to Al Qaeda-linked Islamic militants.
03/13/05 — Abdullah Mehsud, a former prisoner at the U.S. facility at Guantanamo
Bay wanted in connection with the October 2004 kidnaping of two
Chinese engineers in Waziristan, was reported to have died of a bullet
wound sustained in a 3/5 gunbattle. On the same day, Pakistani security
forces reportedly arrested ten Al Qaeda suspects in North Waziristan near
the Afghan border.
03/10/05 — In the first such admission by a top government official, Pakistan’s
information minister said that A.Q. Khan “has given centrifuges to
Iran, but the government was in no way involved in this.” On the
same day, H.R. 1230, to extend trade benefits to certain tents imported
into the United States from certain Middle Eastern countries including
Pakistan, was introduced in the House.
03/08/05 — President Bush said the United States is more secure “because Pakistani
forces captured more than 100 extremists across the country last year,
including operatives who were plotting attacks against the United States.”
03/06/05 — While on a visit to Tashkent, President Musharraf signed an agreement to
bolster Pakistan-Uzbekistan counterterrorism cooperation.
03/05/05 — Pakistani soldiers reportedly killed two Al Qaeda suspects and arrested 11
others in North Waziristan near the Afghan border.
03/01/05 — Ruling party parliamentarians allied with Islamists to reject legislation
which sought to strengthen national laws against “honor killings.” Secular
opposition figures said the development contradicted President
Musharraf’s calls for “enlightened moderation.”
02/28/05 — The U.S. State Department annual Country Reports on Human Rights
Practices for 2004 found that the Pakistan government’s human rights
record in 2004 “remained poor.”

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