Pakistan conservatives suspicious of US agenda
Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, praised Pakistan’s military for progress in fighting the Taliban.
In his latest visit to Pakistan, he also met some of the leaders of conservative groups who often blame the US for the violence in the region.
Anita McNaught reports on the attempt at dialogue amid long-standing suspicions.
Taliban threaten Afghan poll safety
The Taliban are very much in control in large parts of south Afghanistan. Before nationwide elections they’ve promised “strong punishment” for anyone who votes, leading to a ratcheting up of security. Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Kandahar.
While an Al Jazeera/Gallup Pakistan survey has found there is a popular consensus on fighting the Taliban in Pakistan, there is massive opposition to US involvement in the conflict.
Sixty-seven per cent of people said they oppose US drone attacks against Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in the country, citing numerous civilian deaths.
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder reports from Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Swat valley devastated by fighting
While Pakistan’s army has wrested control of the Swat valley from the Taliban following a protracted offensive, the cost of the war has been huge.
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder travelled with the army into the troubled region and gives an exclusive report from Mingora, Swat valley’s largest city.