WASHINGTON, May 15: Pakistan’s domestic security and political stability appears to have weakened in 2005, particularly in Balochistan where the government faces an increasingly restive armed uprising, says the latest congressional report on Pakistan. The Congressional Research Service, which prepares this report for US lawmakers, notes that: “Beginning in January and continuing to the present day, well-armed tribesmen in the sparsely populated, but resource-rich Balochistan province have caused serious disruptions by targeting power, transportation, and communication lines, and engaging in sporadic battles with government forces there.”

In March conflict caused thousands of civilians to flee their homes and, on March 19, at least 40 people were killed and scores injured when a bomb exploded at a religious shrine in a remote area of Balochistan, the report adds.

Despite these developments, the US remains committed to Pakistan and on March 16, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, where she told the Pakistani people that “the United States will be a friend for life,” the report points out.

Nine days later, the Bush Administration announced that the United States would resume sales of F-16 fighters to Pakistan after a 16-year hiatus, the report adds. According to the CRS, justifications for the decision —- which came in tandem with suggestions that India may also purchase advanced US-built warplanes and other major weapons systems —- include a US interest that Pakistan “feel secure” and a perception that a substantive US defence relationship with both Pakistan and India will stabilize “the balance” between them.

The report also notes that vocal critics of the move include the Indian and Russian governments, as well as numerous US and Pakistan-based analysts who contend that it may strengthen non-democratic forces in Islamabad and or fuel an arms race in the region.

Two days before the decision was announced, 20 members of the House sent a letter to President Bush urging him to not license 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 April 7, 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,” the report says.

On the political front, rallies centred on the April 16 return to Lahore of Asif Zardari, caused authorities to arrest many thousands of opposition People’s Party activists in nationwide sweeps and block routes into the city to prevent their congregation, the report adds. Islamic parties have staged major street protests against the Musharraf government; on April 1, police arrested up to 2,000 protestors in both Lahore and Karachi.

The CRS notes that on March 1, ruling party parliamentarians allied with religious parties to reject legislation which sought to strengthen national laws against “honour killings;” on March 24, PM Aziz’s cabinet called for a restoration of a religious column on Pakistani passports, thus reversing an earlier decision to remove the column; and, on April 3, police in Gujranwala clashed with protesters who opposed women’s participation in a foot race there. Some 900 religious party activists reportedly bussed into the area from the North West Frontier Province and attacked race participants with batons and other weapons.

Opposition parties and human rights groups claim that these developments belie Islamabad’s claims to be pursuing a policy of “enlightened moderation.” The CRS points out that regional terrorism; weapons proliferation; Pakistan-India tensions, including the Kashmir conflict, human rights protection and economic development continue to be key US concerns regarding Pakistan.

The Congressional Research Service also notes that Washington continues to believe that a stable, democratic, economically thriving Pakistan is vital to US interests in Asia. Explaining these concerns the report points out that Pakistan is identified as a base for terrorist groups and their supporters operating in Kashmir, India, and Afghanistan and it continues to face serious problems, including domestic terrorism and human rights violations.

Turning to Pakistan’s cooperation in the war against terror, the report notes that since late 2003, Pakistan’s army has been conducting unprecedented counterterrorism operations in traditionally autonomous western tribal areas.

A potential Pakistan-India nuclear arms race, it says, has been the focus of US non-proliferation efforts in South Asia. Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators have turned positive since 2001, but widespread poverty persists, and rates of foreign investment remain low.

Democracy has fared poorly in Pakistan; the country has endured military rule for half of its existence. In 1999, the elected government was ousted in an extra-constitutional coup led by Army Chief Gen Pervez Musharraf, who later assumed the title of President. Elections in 2002 resulted in no majority party emerging, though significant gains for religious parties were notable. A new civilian government is seated, but it remains weak, and Gen Musharraf has retained his position as army chief.