Waziristan and Baluchistan, two western regions of Pakistan that border Afghanistan, are plagued by violence between militants and government security forces, although the causes of conflict differ.

In addition, Pakistan's deepening political crisis has seen an increase in suicide attacks on troops and other targets across the country, including opposition leader Benazir Bhutto who was killed at the end of 2007 shortly before general elections.

In Waziristan, the Pakistani army has for years conducted military operations to root out foreign pro-Taliban and al-Qaeda militants who fled there after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. A 2006 peace pact initially reduced clashes, but crumbled 10 months later.

The deal collapsed followed the storming of a radical Islamabad mosque by the army, which provoked an increase in suicide bombings and attacks on troops across Pakistan, particularly in the northwest.

In Baluchistan, Pakistan's largest and poorest province, tribal militants are engaged in a long-running, low-level insurgency to gain greater control of the region's natural resources and political power. But analysts say the Taliban is also using Baluchistan as a base.

The death of a veteran rebel in a military offensive in August 2006 boosted tensions in the southwestern region. The area was also hit by severe flooding in mid-2007.

The violence has affected the civilian populations, with growing numbers killed and thousands driven from their homes. Aid agencies have also come under attack in Pakistan.

BALUCHISTAN
Land mass	44 percent of national land area; 70 percent of Pakistan's coastline (Asian Development Bank - ADB)
Population as percentage of national total	5 percent (ADB)
Households below poverty line	Up to 47 percent, versus national average (1990-2002) of 32.6 percent (Baluchistan Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper)
Number of minerals mined in the province	39 (ADB)
FEDERALLY ADMINISTERED TRIBAL AREAS (INCLUDING WAZIRISTAN)
Percentage of households below poverty line	Up to 60 (Pakistan government)
Literacy rate	17 percent, versus 49 percent for Pakistan (ADB)