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The “double layer sovereignity” you mention is a fact, with a major caveat of which more later.

It does not apply to Balochistan. Balochistan is not an Agency but instead a Province.

The Agencies are what is collectively called Federally Administered Tribal Agencies (FATA) and include Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur, Kurram, Bannu, Khar , North Waziristan etc.

On “double layer sovereignity” the use of the term “Federally Administered” would suggest they are not as sovereign as made out (wink).

I should correct my comments. The "A" and "B" districts, not agencies, of the province of Balochistan constitute the double sovereignty problem. The "B" areas constitute 95% of Balochistan where the Pakistan police and military aren't deployed except for occaisional raids.

Musharraf has pledged to convert the "B" areas to "A" areas and that is a hollow threat. The "B" areas are a continuation of the British colonial rule through the tribal chiefs that still continues. Those tribal fiefdoms are where bin Laden and his ilk are hiding out.

With 900+ miles of coastline and hundreds of dead-end gorges and desert, Balochistan is a logical place for bin Laden and al Qaeda to operate with virtual impunity. The FATA provinces other than Balochistan have significantly more Pakistani military presence.

The Baloch have bitter memories of their rebel leaders that were hanged after surrendering in the General Amnesty of the 1950s. There will be no peace there, no deals cut with Islamabad and bin Laden knows it. Khalid Sheik Mohammed, bin Laden's #3 was Baloch and hooked up the network and safe havens.

I should correct my comments. The "A" and "B" districts, not agencies, of the province of Balochistan constitute the double sovereignty problem. The "B" areas constitute 95% of Balochistan where the Pakistan police and military aren't deployed except for occaisional raids.

Musharraf has pledged to convert the "B" areas to "A" areas and that is a hollow threat. The "B" areas are a continuation of the British colonial rule through the tribal chiefs that still continues. Those tribal fiefdoms are where bin Laden and his ilk are hiding out.

With 900+ miles of coastline and hundreds of dead-end gorges and desert, Balochistan is a logical place for bin Laden and al Qaeda to operate with virtual impunity. The FATA provinces other than Balochistan have significantly more Pakistani military presence.

The Baloch have bitter memories of their rebel leaders that were hanged after surrendering in the General Amnesty of the 1950s. There will be no peace there, no deals cut with Islamabad and bin Laden knows it. Khalid Sheik Mohammed, bin Laden's #3 was Baloch and hooked up the network and safe havens.