Daily brief: Pakistan flood conditions worsen

The horror continues

Flood waters across Pakistan have destroyed 980,000 homes and affected over 3 million people, even as meteorologists predict more torrential rain in the coming days (CNN, ABC, Al Jazeera, Wash Post). The flooding has destroyed towns in Pakistan’s Punjab, it’s most populous region and agricultural heartland, which could prompt a food crisis as farmland gets inundated (Wash Post, Reuters, AP, ET, The News). With more rains in the country’s south, the devastation could soon spread to Sindh province (Dawn).

Anger at the government’s response to the crisis continues to grow, and police have reportedly had to disburse crowds that attacked trucks carrying aid (Guardian, Tel,  TIME). Authorities began evacuating people from Peshawar’s outskirts yesterday, as flood waters threaten to destroy Pakistan’s third-biggest dam (Independent, Guardian). The Pakistani army defended its flood response efforts, as the U.S. military announced it was sending Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters to help rescuers and aid reach areas cut off by the rushing waters (BBC, AFP, AP). And charities associated with banned militant groups continue to provide flood aid (McClatchy).

Violence also continues to plague Karachi following the killing Monday of senior Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Raza Haider; up to 63 people have been killed despite an increased police and paramilitary presence that has all but shut Karachi down (Dawn, ET, Daily Times, Geo, VOA, AP, NYT, WSJ). Police have arrested 100 individuals and are interrogating 20 over their suspected role in the killing (Dawn). National Public Radio has a must-read backgrounder on the violence in Karachi and some of the causes of ethnic and political friction in the city (NPR).

Presidential road show

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in England yesterday, at a time of frosty relations between the two owing to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s recent statement alleging Pakistani involvement in exporting terrorism (VOA, AFP). Zardari also gave an interview with Le Monde newspaper Monday, saying "I believe that the international community, which Pakistan belongs to, is in the process of losing the war against the Taliban…And that is, above all, because we have lost the battle for hearts and minds" (Reuters, Tel, Daily Times).

Moving south

More information has come out about yesterday’s Taliban attack on Kandahar Airbase, which involved six attackers firing rockets at the base before attempting to approach the compound’s outer wall with small arms fire and two suicide vest-equipped fighters (LAT, VOA, NYT, CNN). The attack occurred as ISAF forces are gearing up to clear Kandahar of Taliban; in a step towards that, U.S. forces are setting up 13 roadblocks to be manned mostly by Afghan police in an attempt to control the city and stop the circulation of arms (CBS). And British forces have reportedly seized the town of Sayedebad, one of the last major Taliban strongholds in Helmand province (Independent, BBC, VOA).

ISAF commander Gen. David Petraeus is soon expected to issue his first tactical directive to U.S. and international forces (NYT, CNN). The directive is expected to tighten rules on ordering airstrikes and artillery fire, while "clarifying" rules on returning fire in self defense.

Yaroslav Trofimov yesterday had a major feature on the ongoing battle between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the U.S.- and British-mentored Major Crimes Task Force, which in its attempt to root out corruption has surveilled, investigated and arrested top Karzai aides (WSJ). And a new Taliban code of conduct reportedly urges the protection of civilians, while authorizing the killing of Afghans working for the Afghan government or international forces (AP).

Flashpoint

The Indian government is deploying more troops to Jammu and Kashmir to shut down increasingly violent protests, while Kashmiri separatists urged protesters to remain peaceful (Reuters, CSM). And India and Russia will reportedly increase efforts to cooperate and coordinate their activities and policies in Afghanistan (The Hindu).

Funny paper

An investigation in Pakistan’s parliament has found that 18 additional parliamentarians, including two senators, have fake degrees (ET). So far a total of 47 parliamentarians have been found to have falsified credentials, with some cases still pending.

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