US envoy Holbrooke concerned about instability in Pakistan

In Pakistan´s Baluchistan province today, the United Nations said it is taking precautions in the wake of threats from a separatist group.  The UN has closed down some offices and others will be scaled back.

Meanwhile in Peshawar Wednesday, Taliban militants killed a pro-government militia leader who previously provided support to groups fighting the Taliban.  The ongoing violence continues as NGOs and the government grapple with a massive humanitarian crisis; some 3 million people were displaced from clashes between militants and the government.

While Pakistan´s government has been publicly optimistic about their campaign against the militants, the US government is less so.  The State Department envoy to Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, spoke to reporters Wednesday after returning from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“We don’t know exactly to what extent the Pakistani army dispersed or destroyed the enemy.  And the test of this operation is, of course, when the refugees return, can they go home? Are they safe? And we’re just going to have to wait and see.  The Pakistanis have moved a very large number of troops from their eastern border to their western border, that’s a historical and significant redeployment.”

The government recently authorized a three-phase program to return IDPs home. According to local sources, many are returning to continued attacks and clashes between the government and militants.