Rain brings respite for NWFP residents

PESHAWAR: Light showers that lashed the provincial capital and the adjacent areas on Sunday afternoon brought a pleasant change in the weather as the maximum temperature came down to 31 degrees Centigrade with 74 per cent humidity in the air. The intermittent rain, which continued till evening, washed away dust and provided respite from air pollution besides scorching heat at least for the time being. The local Met Office had recorded four millimetres of rain with a forecast of more rain today. Reports of rain were also received from other parts of the province including Swat, Dir, Risalpur, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Hangu, Kurram and Waziristan agencies. The dwellers enjoyed the cloudy weather early in the day as bazaars and shopping centres remained busy with crowds of customers while air-conditioners remained switched off due to the pleasant weather and cold winds. However, in Swat district rains caused causalities as eight people were killed in rain-related incidents besides damage to properties. The rain and hailstorm also damaged the standing crops in North Waziristan.

The News International
5/26/2008

Jirga members arrested on failure of talks

This practice is unusual in this part of the country but otherwise it is common in tribal areas where political authorities detain members of the rival parties after failure of talks over any issue.
Those arrested included 23 members each of Sunni and Shia sects of Hangu who had gathered in the provincial capital since May 9 to secure an agreement for peace in their district as well as the Kurrum Agency. Three other leaders were detained later.
It was learnt that the Peshawar police only shifted the 49 elders from a sprawling residence in the University Town to the Peshawar Central Jail. The Regional Coordination Officer of Kohat as well as the political agent of the Kurrum Agency had issued warrants for arrest of these Jirga members. The two parties had held several sessions of talks in Peshawar during the past 11 days but could not reach a consensus. Hangu District Nazim Haji Khan Afzal, who was also the head of the Hangu Amn Jirga, as well as RCO Kohat Mohammad Umar Afridi also attended most of the sessions of the Jirga.
"We had been making efforts for the past six months and had asked both the conflicting sides to submit their demands and reservations in black and white so that we could reach an agreement for a durable peace in Hangu and Kurrum. However, the two parties did not act responsibly," the head of the Jirga, Khan Afzal, told media persons here on Tuesday.
Kohat RCO and other elders, including Shah Hussain, Izzat Gul, Alauddin, Haji Fazal Akbar, Badshah Jan, Shah Sarwar, Shah Qaisar and others flanked him. The chief of the Hangu Amn Jirga made it clear that not the Jirga but the conflicting parties had failed in restoring peace to the Kurrum Agency and Hangu. The two parties had deposited Rs 20 million each in cash and Rs 40 million each as personal sureties with the Jirga.
"As the two parties were not acting responsibly, we have sent members from both sides to jail with the cooperation of the administration. They will remain behind the bars until they reach an agreement," remarked Khan Afzal.
Highlighting the achievements of the body, the Jirga head said it was because of their efforts that the children of both the sects appeared in examinations. He added that they were making serious efforts for peace in Kurrum as well as Hangu on a permanent basis.
Online adds: Sources of the peace Jirga disclosed that the government was interested that both parties sign a pre-planned peace agreement and upon their refusal it detained them. Sources from both the sides confirmed that the government had given them a draft but they vowed to draft the peace treaty after mutual negotiations and consultations.
End.

Wednesday May 21, 2008
paktribune.com

Hangu jirga prefers jail to peace

As explosions wounded people in Kohat, bombs went off in Bajaur, and a cleric was murdered in Khyber agency for “spying for the Americans”, the 50-man jirga from Hangu was put in jail in Peshawar for not reaching a peace deal to end the sectarian war in Kurram Agency. The jirga was put in the jug under Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) while its leaders accused the “elders” comprising the jirga of deliberately avoiding solution. Hundreds of innocent people have been done to dearth in the nearly two-year old war between the Shia and the Sunni.This is no surprise at all. Solutions were reached under FCR because of the system that prevailed under it. Above all, the authority of the state represented by the political agent could not be challenged. The jirga which contains members of the parties in conflict could not reach a decision because of the countervailing power of the Taliban. It is not the political agent but the Taliban and their central leader Baitullah Mehsud who call the shots. The Sunni-Shia conflict is hundreds of years old in the region, but Kurram became controversial — with its Shia majority in the headquarters, Parachinar — because it is located directly in front of the caves of Tora Bora in Afghanistan. The Shia are surrounded by Sunni tribes and run the risk of being ethnically cleansed. *

Second Editorial
Daily Times
Thursday, May 22, 2008

Detention of Jirga members condemned

PARACHINAR: Elders of the Torikhel tribe on Wednesday condemned the detention of Jirga members and demanded of the authorities to stop harassing the Jirga members. Authorities on Tuesday detained 49 members of the Jirga following the failure of negotiations to secure a peace deal between two rival sects in the Hangu district and the Kurram Agency.Elders of the Torikhel tribe, Malik Ali Hussain, Haji Noor Muhammad and Haji Afzal Hussain said the incident had created doubts about the government's sincerity to restore peace in the region, as it was turning a blind eye to the ongoing clashes in the Pewar area of the agency. They demanded of the authorities to release the elders or the government would be responsible for any law and order problem in the agency.

The NEWS International
22/05/2008

50-men peace jirga arrested in Kurram

PESHAWAR - Around 50 elders of Hangu Peace Jirga from both Sunni and Shia sects were arrested under Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) when they failed to reach a reconciliation for bringing peace in Kurram Agency here on Tuesday.
To settle down the confrontation between the two sects-Sunni and Shia in the Kurram Agency, Hangu Peace Jirga was formed. The jirga had held several meetings for patch up between the two sects.
However, this grand jirga having a total of 50 tribal elders failed to overcome their differences despite the fact that the jirga held marathon sessions since May 9.
The law enforcement agencies took into custody all the members of the jirga when it remained inconclusive to overcome the differences between the Sunnis and Shias as dozens of people have been killed from both the sides during their clashes in Kurram Agency. The arrested members of the jirga have been shifted to Central Jail Peshawar.
Meanwhile, district nazim Hangu and member of the Jirga, Khan Afzal addressing a press conference said that jirga had held several meetings, but unfortunately failed to resolve the issues.
He said that he would request the government to release all the arrested elders and encourage dialogue between the two sects as peace and stability in Kurram Agency is a must.
Meanwhile, while talking to reporters, Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik reaffirmed the government's commitments of going to bring peace and stability in the region through peaceful and political ways as use of force is no solution.
To another query, he said the troops would remain in tribal areas till return of peace to the region. He added that in this respect, efforts on the part of government are going on and they are determined to go for talks with tribesmen. He also called upon the tribesmen to extend support to government functionaries in this respect.

The Nation
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Nine injured in bomb explosion

KOHAT, May 20 (APP): Nine persons including six security men were injured when a bomb exploded near Kohat Fort Tuesday morning, according to Rescue 15 police officer on duty.

A vehicle of Kurram Militia heading towards Parachinar Kurram Agency was attacked with a bomb near Kohat fort, injuring six FC men and three pedestrians.

Associated Press Of Pakistan(APP)
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Phone:- +92 (051) 2203064-67,

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Islamabad (PTI):

Ten people, including seven security personnel, were injured when militants triggered an improvised explosive device near an army truck in the northwestern Pakistani town of Kohat on Tuesday.

The army closed the nearby Kohat tunnel in the North West Frontier Province as security forces launched a search operation in Darra Adam Khel and other areas following the blast.

The IED exploded near a truck carrying Frontier Corps personnel which was heading towards Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency.

The HINDU

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 : 1740 Hrs

Taliban leader killed in Kurram Agency

PARACHINAR: Differences among the local Taliban on Thursday left one of their leader dead here at the Baghzai village in Lower Kurram. Political administration said a local Taliban leader Nawab Khan was killed by his friends on differences among them. Belonging to the Baghzai village, Nawab Khan also served the Afghan National Army and remained on important posts. Later on, he joined the Tehreek-e-Taliban and was very active in the area.

The News International.
Sunday, May 18, 2008,
Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1429 A.H.

KSMP project to have enormous opportunities to Kurram Agency: Owais F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: The NWFP Governor has described the Kurram Soapstone Mining Project, a project having enormous economic opportunities for the people of the area, assuring every possible support and cooperation to Maniar Group of Companies to further work on the project. He directed the authorities to expedite ongoing infrastructure development schemes in the area and asked the political administration to ensure a secure environment. He made these remarks while presiding over a presentation on Kurram Soapstone Mining Project at Governor's House here on Friday. Chief Executive FDA Muhammad Shahzad Arbab and Secretary to Governor Arbab Muhammad Arif attended the presentation, given by Mr. Humair Zafar, Chief Executive Officer, Maniar Group of Companies. The objectives of the project is to explore and develop soapstone quarries/ mines in Daradar and Gandao valleys near Parachinar in Kurram Agency and market the mined out material to the international market along with providing job and business opportunities to the locals. Initial estimates revealed that 3.6 million tons of world-class soapstone is available in the said region while approximately 100 million ton soapstone in Kurram Agency, which apart from domestic consumption has an extensive demand in the European market thus becoming an excellent source of foreign exchange earning. Contract for development and international marketing has been awarded to HZM Marrni and Pietre. The Company has started mining and transportation of soapstone from the area in May 2006. During the presentation the Governor was informed about the mining work and its development and marketing initiatives and it was stated that the talc found in the area was of high quality having growing market opportunities.

The Frontier Post
Peshawar.
Saturday, May 17, 2008,
Jamad-i-Awal 10, 1429 A.H.

Govt urged to restore peace in Parachinar

Anwer Abbas

ISLAMABAD: Tareek Akhuwat Islami (TAI) Chairman Allama Inayat Ali Shakir has expressed concern over deteriorating law and order situation in Parachinar, Kurram Agency, and some other parts of the country and urged government to introduce solid measures to restore peace in these areas.Addressing a news conference, he demanded the government probe the Parachinar violence, adding the local notables and influential peoples must be included in Peace Jirga so that a sound solution could be found out. TAI chief regretted that media and civil society were mum over the critical situation. He said in Parachinar hundreds of residents had lost their lives in terrorism incidents.Shakir said the incidents were not of sectarian nature but acts of brutality by foreign terrorists from across the border with the support of local miscreants. Highlighting the difficulties being faced by the resident, he disclosed that residents faced numerous difficulties including food shortage. Drivers of oil tankers were kidnapped and slaughtered. Women travelling between Peshawar and Parachinar were insulted.He pointed out in case of any minor or major incident the main power supply and telephone lines are blocked immediately. He said main Parachinar road was occupied by the foreign terrorists. He demanded the government ensure opening of Peshawar-Parachinar road, restore PIA flights and food and medicine supplies to the area and announce a relief package.He urged clerics, political and religious leaders, MPs, media, human right organisations to play their role in this regard.

The POST Islamabad,
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 .

NWFP govt seeks early lifting of flour from Punjab

Parachinar: The smuggling of flour to Afghanistan from the Kurram Agency continued unabated despite a severe shortage of the commodity in the region. Surprisingly, most routes were reportedly barricaded to check the smuggling but gangs of smugglers were successfully transporting the commodity across the border.

The News International

By Riaz Khan Daudzai

Friday 5/9/2008

Clashes again erupts in Kurram Agency F.P. Report

PARACHINAR: Clashes erupted in trobuled Kurram Valley once again on Monday. According to details a group of millitants attacked the Pak-Afghan bordering village Pewar with heavy weapons. The millitants usedthe rocket launchers and mortar guns by attacking on the Turi tribe population of village Pewar. According to latest situation fighting is continued and turi tribe is resisting against the millitants. Uptill now the reports of six injuries came while the exact number of casulities and injuries are not known as the area is located on hills and hardest geographical region. The number of injured and casuilities may increase due to increase in intensity of fighting and use of heavy weapons from both the sides. It is worthmentiong here that on one side government and law enforcing agencies claims of complete peace and seize fire in area while the ground realities are that sever fighting is continued during diffrent intervals with addition to complete closer of main Thall-Parachinar Road from Last six months. Turi tribe elders accused that some persons in bureucracy and Law enforcing agencies are involved for converting the stratagic important Pak-Afghan Kurram valley to Taliban state or another Waziristan, moreover these persons are sending wrong reports to high ups as well. But the patriotic people of the Kurram valley will never allow this anti state agenda. Meanwhile social and politacal circles especially the local leadership & actvists of PPP and ANP Kurram demanded thier leadership to end the human tragedy in Kurram Valley by opening the main Thall-Parachinar Road and ending the seiege of half million population of Parachinar otherwise they all will quit the ruling parties by giving resignation they threatend. The Frontier Post (Peshawar) Tuesday, May 6, 2008, Rabi-us-Sani 29, 1429 A.H.

Jirga help sought to restore Fata peace

By Syed Irfan Raza

ISLAMABAD, May 5: The government on Monday sought tribal elders’ help for its efforts to restore peace in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

“The government and tribal elders have agreed to cooperate for maintaining peace in troubled areas,” federal Minister for Frontier Regions Najamuddin Khan, who attended a grand tribal jirga along with Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Rehman Malik, told Dawn.

He said the two sides had agreed to form a special committee to maintain law and order in the Kurram Agency.

The tribal leaders, he said, had assured the government that they would persuade the militants to end the blockade of the main road in the agency.

Some tribal leaders expressed reservations over the previous government’s claims that it had spent Rs7 billion on development projects in Fata during 2007-2008.

They told the adviser that contrary to the claims, there was no visible improvement in water supply, irrigation, education, health and forestation sectors.

The jirga opposed the enforcement of the FCR in its present shape and called for amending the laws immediately. It rejected Fata’s administrative system under which political agents simultaneously acted as police, judiciary and development authorities and the local people could not even file an appeal against their (political agents’) decisions.

The jirga comprised 200 people, including adviser to the tribal jirga Sahibzada Bhutan, Haji Rafique Mangal from Kurram Agency, Dr Farooq, chief of the PPP in Mohmand Agency, Khyber Agency’s PPP president Farhad Shahab, party’s vice-president in Bajaur Agency Haji Mohammad Khan, general secretary of PPP Fata Mirza Mohammad Jehadi, PPP chief in Kurram Agency Dr Syed Riaz Hussain, joint secretary of PPP in Fata Changez Khan Mohmand and the party’s general secretary in North Waziristan, Shamur Rehman.

Rehman Malik announced that Saiful Islam Afridi, president of the People’s Student Federation in Fata, would work as his adviser on tribal affairs.

Mr Malik formed a special committee to suggest ways of solving tribal people’s problems.

During the meeting, the minister for states and frontier regions assured the tribal leaders that the FCR laws would be changed in accordance with the people’s wishes. “The laws will be brought in conformity with local customs and traditions.” He said that no substitute system contrary to Islamic laws would be considered for Fata. The jirga members also called for increasing development funds and extending the Political Party Act to Fata.

“We have come to power to change the system. Industrial zones will be set up in Fata … and development funds will be increased … Frontier Constabulary and Levies will be reorganised and restructured and the salary of personnel between scales 1 to 5 will be increased.”

In a separate meeting, Rehman Malik praised the role of civil armed forces in maintaining peace. The meeting decided to increase their capacity to enable them to ward off threats and overcome challenges. The advisor assured that his ministry would boost their operational capability.

DAWN

Karachi

Tuesday

May 06, 2008

Rabi-us-Sani 29, 1429

Militants attack Kurram village

APP PARACHINAR: Miscreants Monday attacked Pewar village in a bid to disturb law and order of the agency. According to official sources, light and heavy weapons were used in the attack. However, no loss of life or property was reported. The attack was launched from the mountains of the Mangal tribe on the village of Pewar of Turi tribe early morning. The political administration has decided to take action against criminals in the area. The POST Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Rain starts in Parachinar

Rain starts in Parachinar

PARACHINAR (APP): A heavy rain started here at evening and the Kurram Agency has so far received a record rain till Saturday's night. The weather has become pleasant in the agency after current rain in most parts of the agency. The Frontier Post, Sunday, May 4, 2008, Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1429 A.H.

Jafaria Alliance of Pakistan (JAP) for UN enquiry into Kurram Agency turmoil

Jafaria Alliance of Pakistan (JAP) for UN enquiry into Kurram Agency turmoil F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Jafaria Alliance of Pakistan (JAP) Friday urged the government to conduct an inquiry under United Nations into the violent incidents in Kurram Agency in which hundreds of people have been killed and wounded so far. More than 500 people have been killed and hundreds others injured in the Kurram Agency so far after clashes erupted between rival tribesmen last year whereas hundred of people were displaced from the troubled area. Speaking at news conference at the cafeteria of Parliament House here, Senator Abbas Komail, President JAP also appealed the government to open Kohat-Parachinar road and ensure reasonable food supply on immediate basis along with foolproof protection to the passengers traveling from restive Parachinar to other parts of the country. He also warned that the JAP would give call to block the Karakuram Highway as protest if government failed to maintain law and order situation in Kurram Agency and did not fulfilled the demands. He held foreign elements settled in the Agency responsible for the ongoing violence and urged the government to take strict actions against them as well as eliminate them from the peaceful area. He demanded that Parachinar should be declared calamity-hit area and a relief package be given to the affectees of the violence. “Due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the Agency, the residents are seriously facing shortage of food items like atta, ghee, sugar, rice, pulses and medicine, fuel and other necessities” he added. Komaili urged that flights of PIA from Peshawar to Parachinar should be re-launched on emergency basis facilitate the stuck up passengers. For the restoration of peace, he said Kurram Malitia (Frontier Corps) should be re-deployed in the Agency and the Turi and Bangash tribes be rehabilitated in their native village Sadda and protection be given to them in future. He accused foreign hands of fueling the violence in this sensitive bordering tribal area with Afghanistan, who want to destabilize the country and its foundations. He also criticized the former Governor NWFP Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai and political administration and alleged that their partial attitude had further fueled the violence instead of normalizing the situations. He hoped that the present Governor NWFP Awais Ghani would look into the entire situation with impartial way to restore peace in Kurram Agency. Komaili also thanked the PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Advisor to Prime Minister Rehman Malik for playing positive role in restoring peace of the area. He soon after the formation of the government, efforts were made to stop the clashes. He urged that the issues be resolved through impartial Jirga in which elected representatives of the people be included. The Frontier Post, Saturday, May 3, 2008, Rabi-us-Sani 26, 1429 A.H.

Shiite-Sunni Strife Paralyzes Life in Pakistan’s Kurram Tribal Agency

Shiite-Sunni Strife Paralyzes Life in Pakistan’s Kurram Tribal Agency

Type :	Report
Title :	Shiite-Sunni Strife Paralyzes Life in Pakistan’s Kurram Tribal Agency
Source :	Global Terrorism Analysis // The Jamestown Foundation
Date Added:	1-May-2008
Publication Date :	30-Apr-2008
URL :	http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2374137
Abstract :	Pakistan’s Kurram Tribal Agency has been at the center of sectarian Shiite-Sunni conflict for decades. The area witnessed bloody clashes between the two rival sects of Islam long before the arrival of the Taliban phenomenon and foreign al-Qaeda elements in the region in the wake of the U.S. attack on the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in late 2001. Major sectarian riots hit the region for the first time in 1963. Violence resumed in the mid-1980s and a third wave of major sectarian clashes occurred in 1996, amid the growing influence of Salafist Muslims in the area. After a decade of relative peace and harmony, however, Kurram Agency has once again plunged into a vicious cycle of sectarian violence that began last year. Despite many peace truces and pledges of rival groups to end the hostilities, the mayhem is still going on. The clashes intensified in the last month and have not only left scores of people dead and injured, but have also completely paralyzed life in the region. Overall, up to 700 people have been killed and over 1,000 wounded since the conflict began in April last year. (Dawn [Karachi], April 12; The News [Islamabad], March 1).

Al-Qaeda remains threat to Pakistan

Al-Qaeda remains threat to Pakistan

Thursday, May 01, 2008 The News International By Umar Cheema NEW YORK: Al-Qaeda's continued public calls to overthrow President Pervez Musharraf has remained a 'threat to Pakistan', said the US State Department's Country Report on Terrorism 2007 that has also declared attacks on Benazir Bhutto as the 'deadliest' of the previous year. The report released on Wednesday said despite having huge presence of approximately 80,000 to 100,000 troops in Fata, the government's authority in the area continued to be challenged. It said military operations though disrupted militant activities no senior al-Qaeda leader was either captured or killed in 2007. According to the report, the government freed 28 militants in November last year in exchange for the release of 213 Pakistani soldiers held by militant commander Baitullah Mehsud. Out of the 28 released, three of them were convicted on terrorism charges. However, over 1,000 Pakistani military personnel have been killed since 2001 while carrying out counter-terrorist operations, the report said. Pakistan arrested or detained several high-profile terrorist suspects, but faced significant challenges in prosecuting such cases, the report said. Giving examples of those militants freed in exchange of the release of military personnel, the report also mentioned Naeem Noor Khan, alleged al-Qaeda's computer expert, and said he was released without formally being charged, notwithstanding the government's claim that he was top al-Qaeda operative. The report said although anti-money laundering ordinance has been adopted, its certain parts don't meet international norms and Financial Action Task Force Recommendations, nor it has even handed implementation. "The trend and sophistication of suicide bombings grew in Pakistan this year. The December 27 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in a suicide bombing after a political rally in Rawalpindi, was the most prominent suicide attack. Between 2002 and 2006, the Department recorded approximately 22 suicide attacks in the country, whereas in 2007 there were over 45 such attacks," the report said. A number of these attacks targeted well-protected government sites and made use of coordinated and complex operations, such as the November 24 and September 4 suicide attacks in Rawalpindi, the report said. On October 18, the deadliest suicide attack in Pakistan's history took place against Bhutto's homecoming procession in Karachi, killing over 130, and injuring hundreds more, it adds. In separate suicide attacks in Peshawar and Charsadda, extremists targeted Federal Minister for Political Affairs Amir Muqam in November, and former Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao in December and April; neither were killed, although there were other casualties. Earlier this year, extremists took over the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad for a number of months until they were ousted in July during a military operation. Extremists have also gained footholds in the settled areas bordering Fata, including Swat, Tank, and DI Khan. The report said al-Qaeda's continued public calls for the overthrow of President Musharraf remained a threat to Pakistan, despite government efforts to eliminate al-Qaeda elements. Pakistan continued to pursue al-Qaeda and its allies through nationwide police action and military operations in Fata and elsewhere. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and other groups continued planning of attacks. In 2007, Kashmir-focused groups continued to support attacks in Afghanistan, and operatives trained by the groups continued to feature in al-Qaeda trans-national attack planning. Sectarian violence claimed hundreds of lives this year and increased since 2006, according to data from the Institute for Conflict Management, the report said. In November, more than 100 people were killed in Sunni-Shia fighting in Parachinar. In April, approximately 80 people were killed in Kurrum (in the Fata), when sectarian fighting broke out after a religious procession was attacked. In 2006, President Musharraf and governmental agencies developed the Fata Sustainable Development Program (SDP) to accelerate economic and social development and strengthen political administration and security in the region, the report said. The government created a Fata Development Authority and filled all of its executive positions in Nov 2006. Pakistan allocated $120 million in its FY-2007 budget for Fata development programme, with the bulk going to education and infrastructure projects, it said. Although, Pakistan continued to work with the UNSCR 1267 Committee to freeze assets of individuals and groups identified as terrorist entities linked to al-Qaeda and the Taliban, several UN-sanctioned entities continued to operate in Pakistan. In September, the long-awaited anti-money-laundering (AML) ordinance was adopted by a presidential decree. Unfortunately, parts of the ordinance did not meet international norms and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations, particularly in areas of designated offence categories and the statutory definition of money laundering. The AML ordinance formally established a Financial Management Unit (FMU) to independently suspicious transactions. According to the report, The State Bank of Pakistan required all informal money changers (or hawaladars) to register as authorised foreign exchange dealers and meet minimum capital requirements, although the enforcement was uneven. The regulation had limited success in consolidating the national foreign exchange regime, subjecting it to more stringent regulation and accounting standards. Despite the government efforts, unlicensed hawaladars still operated illegally in parts of the country (particularly in Peshawar and Karachi). The informal and secretive nature of the unlicensed hawaladars made it difficult for regulators to effectively combat their operations. Most illicit funds were transacted through these unlicensed operators, it further said. The United States and Pakistan engaged in a broad range of counter-terrorism cooperative efforts including border security and criminal investigations, as well as several long-term training projects. Pakistan is the third largest recipient of the US military and economic assistance. Reuters adds: Nearly seven years after the Sept 11 attacks, al-Qaeda remains the biggest terrorist threat to the United States and its allies, the US State Department said in an annual report on Wednesday. The country-by-country survey of terrorism trends and incidents in 2007 said al-Qaeda had used tribal areas of Pakistan to reconstitute some operational capabilities, replace killed or captured fighters and rebuild its leadership. Al-Qaeda "utilises terrorism, as well as subversion, propaganda, and open warfare; it seeks weapons of mass destruction in order to inflict the maximum possible damage on anyone who stands in its way, including other Muslims and/or elders, women and children," said the report. The number of terrorism attacks worldwide fell slightly in 2007 to 14,499, from 14,570 in 2006. A total of 72,066 people were killed, injured or kidnapped in 2007, down from 75,211 in the previous year, data from the US National Counter-terrorism Centre showed. In the two theatres of US-led wars, terrorism incidents in Iraq fell to 6,212 last year from 6,628 in 2006, but in Afghanistan they rose to 1,127 from 969 in the previous year, data showed. The report said Afghanistan had made progress fighting extremists, but "the Taliban-led insurgency remained strong and resilient in the South and East" with an undiminished ability to recruit foot soldiers from rural ethnic Pashtuns. The list of designated state sponsors of terrorism -- Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria -- remained unchanged, despite efforts to remove North Korea from the blacklist through slow-moving nuclear disarmament negotiations with Pyongyang. The report said Sudan continued to take significant steps to cooperate in anti-terrorism, but Cuba, Iran and Syria had not renounced terrorism or worked to combat terror groups. "Iran and Syria routinely provided safe haven, substantial resources, and guidance to terrorist organizations," said the 312-page report.