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The relationship between Pakistan and the United States is long and complicated, going back to the initial establishment of diplomatic relations in 1947. The relationship deteriorated somewhat over the years, however, principally over Pakistan's development of a nuclear program, and in 1996 Pakistan was one of only three nations to recognize the Taliban Islamic Emirate. After the 9/11 attacks, however, with Operation Enduring Freedom about to commence, Pakistan reversed course under pressure from the US and became an ally in the war on terror.
When the Taliban fell from power, many of them slipped across the 1500-mile-long Durand Line, the border which separates Afghanistan and Pakistan politically, but not ethnically. Afghanistan is bordered by six countries, but the border with Pakistan remains the most dangerous. Although ISAF forces have killed a number of Taliban with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like the Predator and the Reaper, and the Pakistani government has captured and turned over hundreds of others, there has been a continuous flow of Taliban fighters and supplies between the two countries. Thus far, ISAF forces have not been allowed to pursue the enemy into Pakistan, even though many believe that eliminating the Taliban sanctuaries there is the key to defeating them.
In 2008, the Pakistani military began operations against the Taliban in Waziristan, the largely lawless tribal area in northwest Pakistan. Taliban militants, lead by mujahedeen Julaluddin Haqqani and his son Sirajuddin, are thought to have harbored Osama bin Laden in North Waziristan, and have also provided safe haven to other militant groups such as al Qaeda, for attacks on Western targets According to local officials, Sirajuddin Haggani sits on the senior al Qaeda and Taliban shuras, (leadership councils) and aggressively competes for donated resources earmarked for al Qaeda,.
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DAY SEVENTEEN PRAYERS
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www.accts.org
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- Pray for safety and wisdom for Pakistan's President, Asif Ali Zardariof, as he walks the fine line between remaining a US ally, and preventing a radical Islamic takeover in Pakistan.
- Pray for wisdom and understanding as ISAF leaders work with Pakistani forces to secure the border and eliminate Taliban safe havens in Pakistan.
- Pray that Taliban leaders will come to know the sovereign God who watches their every move in Pakistan, even as the ISAF employs UAVs to find and monitor their activities.
- Pray for Aasia Bibi, a Christian sentenced to die for violating Pakistan's strict Blasphemy Law. Lord, comfort Aasia and her family, part of the small Christian minority in Pakistan, in this trial. We also remember the family of minorities minister, Shabbaz Bhatti, who was assassinated on March 2, 2011 because he opposed the blasphemy law. Pray for all Christians in Pakistan and for moderate Muslims to come to their defense.
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