SOURCE:Ausaf, Ummat, Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt, Urdu Point, Daily Jinnah, Awami Awaz, Daily Dharti, Jasarat, Kawish, Daily Intekhab, Daily Times, Jang, Ibrat, Khabrain, Roznama Duniya, Hizb Media, Al Qalam Weekly, Baad-e-Shimal, Bang-e-Sahar.
CHINA
1. Gilgit-Baltistan Governor, Mir Ghazanfar Ali, has spoken of the need to avail Chinese help for maintenance and repair of the Karakoram Highway every 10 years. The highway was damaged by landslides caused by recent downpour. (Daily K2)\
AFGHANISTAN
1. Afghan Taliban have announced ‘Omari Operation’ in commemoration of Mullah Omar. It would be a major ops against the US-backed government in Kabul, the Taliban said in a statement, adding that jihad against the US is the religious duty of Muslims. All methods would be used to weaken the morale of the enemy and good governance would be implemented in the areas ruled by Taliban so that the people could live in peace. In the operation, Taliban would adopt a policy to not cause any civilian deaths. It will the destruction of State infrastructure and also attempt to infiltrate the enemy and negotiate with them to shift their loyalty. The new Ops details were fine-tuned over the past three months by the Afghan Taliban leadership, its military commission, and Army experts. The Taliban fighters have been instructed to keep the operation ‘organised’, the statement said. (Jasarat, Ummat)
SAUDI ARABIA
1. Bashir Ahmad Shad writes in Daily Pak that the honour conferred on Indian Premier Modi by Saudi Royalty shows that in international relations, national interests are more important than religious or ideological bonds. Saudi Arabia is inclining towards India only for economic and socio-political requirements. Under the influence of the US and secular India’s support, Saudi Arabia is considering a political role in the region that included the undermining of Iran. There is no doubt whatsoever that Saudi Arabia had given all sorts of support to Pakistan. But no Pakistan leader had been accorded the grand welcome that Indian PM Narendra Modi had received. This should be a real cause of concern for Islamabad. Pakistan would have to rejig its concept of friends and foes. An independent foreign policy alone will guarantee the safety and success of the country. (Daily Pak)
INDIA
1. Taking serious note of India approaching the Interpol on the Pathankot airbase attack matter, the Pakistani authorities have asked their NSA to immediately brief the Interpol with all the related facts. Pakistan has also refused to hand over Maulana Masood Azhar to India till concrete evidence is provided about his involvement in the attack. India is making baseless charges especially after facing global flak in the aftermath of the RAW agent’s arrest in Pakistan. (Ibrat)
2. A gang operating in India and Pakistan is smuggling poor Pakistanis to India for liver sale, the Senate Standing Committee for Interior Affairs’ was told. (Roznama Dunya)
3. Khabrain and Ausaf have editorially commented on alleged MQM- RAW nexus. Both dailies reject Shaharyar Niazi’s claim of a treaty between the MQM and RAW. “No secret agency makes any deal in writing”, the two dailies point out, calling for a transparent investigation into RAW-MQM links. (Khabrain Edit, Ausaf Edit)
ARMY/SECURIY FORCES
1. Security forces have carried out search operations in 7000 houses in Mardan and arrested a TTP commander of the Mangal Bag group in addition to 637 suspects under the NAP. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Bureaucrats, Police officers and 34 politicians, have links with banned outfits in Punjab, says a report. (Khabrain)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. Several dailies, commenting editorially on the Panama Leaks, said the Nawaz government on its own should have ordered an inquiry into the Panama Papers, and it should not procrastinate anymore now that the Opposition has made the demand. Daily K2 asked political parties not to milk the issue for partisan gains. Nawa-i-Waqt noting that PML (N) leaders are under pressure, points out that PM Sharif’s son, Hussein Nawaz’s travel to Saudi Arabia and PM Sharif’s departure for London have created a buzz in political circles. Jang and Ausaf express surprise that Pakistan opposition is only concentrating on giving a tough time to the government on the issue. (Kawish Edit, Daily K2 Edit, Nawa-i-Waqt Edit, Jang Edit, Ausaf Edit)
2. Ibrat has took note of Supreme Court Chief Justice’s observation that Pakistan badly needs reforms across the board. Accountability should be made possible at every level so that the system’s functioning can remain healthy without getting crippled, it said. (Ibrat Edit)
3. JI Chief, Siraj-ul-Haq, gave a 12-day ultimatum to the government for action in the Panama Leaks case. Addressing a press conference along with TIP leader Mahmood Qureshi, he said further course of action would be decided on April 24 at a massive congregation in Punjab. Haq said PM Nawaz Sharif would have to declare the sources of money invested in the offshore companies. (Jasarat)
4. Gul Moro writes in Ibrat that the political scene is pregnant with several possibilities. The disclosures by the Panama Papers have coincided with reports of stirrings in the PPP, PML (N), and PTI. Political observers are expecting something big to happen this month. Perhaps resignation by the PM himself! (Ibrat)
5. Ibrahim Kumbhar writes in Kawish that the Panama leaks case is becoming murkier with each passing day even as the government machinery is trying to save the PM and his sons. Rifts appear to be emerging within the PML (N). New political alliances are also in the making. The chances of government setting up an enquiry commission are looking dim for now. Political circles are abuzz with speculation on the successor of Nawaz Sharif should he step down from the PM’s post. His sons are not inclined towards politics. Nawaz himself has already named his daughter, Mariam, as his political heir. It is doubtful whether Shahbaz would endorse her name. Already the issue has created a rift in the Sharifs’ family. PML (N) is in the habit of working for small and petty personal or commercial gains, and pursuing short term interests. The party is not known to trade off favours with political opponents and others who may have bailed them out from tough situation. This approach is bound to take a toll on the PNL (N) sooner rather than later. (Kawish)
6. Nazir Naji in Roznama Dunya says these days PM Nawaz Sharif is avoiding his attendance at any major function be it his visit to the US or Turkey or the Pakistan Air Force function, in order to avoid facing questions on the Panama Papers which accused him off money laundering through shell companies. (Roznama Dunya)
7. Munir Ahmed Baloch in Roznama Dunya says in Pakistan minor thieves arrested for stealing coriander leaves, are jailed but people involved in major corruption cases are being left free. (Roznama Dunya)
BALOCHISTAN
1. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern that a large number of civilians have been killed in the military ops in Johan and Mastung areas of Kalat in Balochistan. As many as 27 bodies were brought to Quetta Civil Hospital, according to the local people, who said that the authorities did not allow the identification of the dead. Balochistan Home Minister of, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has however, dubbed those killed as extremists. (Daily Intekhab)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1. AJK Minister for Industries and Trade, Akbar Ibrahim has resigned. He also quit from the PPP. He has since joined the PML (N). (Ausaf)
2.10 Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Zafar Iqbal, said that troops would help the rain affected families from their own pockets. Speaking in Chilas, he said the Army would not leave the people of Gilgit-Baltistan alone in their hour of distress and would ensure quick relief to them. The G-B Chief Minister Hafiz-ur -Rahman has thanks the army for its generous help. “My government is grateful to the Army for extending its support in relief works”. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal)