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 Dunya, Hizb Media, Al Qalam Weekly, Baad-e-Shimal, Bang-e-Sahar, Sindh Express, Pk Voices.
UNITED STATES/UNITED NATIONS
1. JI Chief, Siraj-ul Haq is complaining wherever he goes these days that the US and the UN do not do justice to the Muslim countries. They have remained silent spectators to the sufferings of Muslims in Kashmir, Palestine, Burma et al. Though, he is right Muslim world should itself take steps to resolve their issues. (Jang Edit)
2. Arif Bahar in his column writes: US President-elect President Donald Trump said in a tweet that the UN has become a club where people spend time. In response the UN tweeted about its humanitarian works across the globe. It is a fact that the UN has not been able to resolve major political disputes like Palestine and Kashmir for long years. But the blame should go to the US which is mainly responsible for the inactive role of the UN. (Jasarat)
INDIA
1. Indian Supreme Court has ordered keeping religion away from politics. This will not only help to bring in a positive impact in the Indian society, which is presently reeling under fundamentalism but such orders (of Indian SC) can also leave a positive impact in its neighbouring countries. Religion is a private affair of an individual. Linking it with politics or using it for personal gains, even using it during elections for getting votes will not leave any positive impact in trail. Religion and ethnicity are very sensitive issues. Any society where politics is linked to religion and ethnicity for political gains faces unpleasant consequences. Indian Supreme Court’s decision is historic. Observers are optimistic that it can have a positive impact on secular India. (Awami Awaz Edit)
2. India is adopting all types of tactics to defame Pakistan in the name of terrorism even as it hides ‘truth’ on Kashmir atrocities. Few days ago, India faced ignominy of rejection of its claims against Jaish-e-Mohammed, (JeM), Chief Masood Azhar first from China and then from the UN which rejected its resolution against Pakistan. Rejection of latest Indian resolution by the UN Security Council shows that the international community is aware of India’s false allegations.. It is also aware of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terror, action against terrorist outfits and its pursuit of peace. Pakistan’s government should use all international platforms for highlighting Indian terrorism and forgetting India branded as a terrorist nation. (Ausaf Edit)
3. Though Pakistani leaders are still intoxicated to the extent of trying to appease it by keeping it the list of friendly nations, India has tried to bring a resolution against Pakistan at the UN. This time, India accused Pakistan of supporting Daesh and Al Qaeda. However, the resolution was rejected. If India has failed right now at the UN, it doesn’t mean India will stop conspiracies against Pakistan. India will bring out something else, another mischief against Pakistan. Hence Pakistani leaders will have to come to grips with this reality. Otherwise, Indian leaders will continue to play their games against Pakistan. (Jasarat Edit)
4. As the UN rejection of anti-Pak resolution shows, India’s policy to isolate Pakistan globally has been foiled. Now even Russia is getting closer to Pakistan. India is spending billions of dollars on its military, which indicates its dangerous intent.. If India wants lasting peace in the region, abolition of terrorism and welfare of the poor in both the countries, dialogue with Pakistan is the only way out. Foreign Office spokesman, Nafees Zakaria rightly said terrorism is part of India’s state policy and India’s rejection at the international forum is Pakistan’s major success. Firing at the border, water aggression, setting up terrorists networks and maligning Pakistan at international fora are the basic elements of Indian foreign policy. India is doing this because despite its 7 lakh strong army deployed in J&K, freedom movement is getting stronger there. Success in operation Zarb-e-Azb and CPEC projects ensure that Pakistan is surging ahead successfully, which India is unable to digest. Pakistan government is begging India for a dialogue so that bilateral trade and commerce can take off. Even if this is for the stake of national interests, Pakistan government should not bow down before India.. Trade with India should begin only after giving Indian gives the right of self-determination to the Kashmiris, ensures judicious distribution of water resources and refrains from insurgencies and terrorism in Pakistan. (Roznama Dunya Edit, Jang Edit, Daily Pak Edit, Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
5. The Home Ministry has asked the Pak High Commission in Delhi for a report on Pakistani national Rubina who is held in a jail in Kashmir. (Jasarat)
6. Kudos to the Home Minister Nisar Ali Khan for taking cognizance of imprisonment of Pakistani national woman in an Indian jail since 2012. Release of this woman should be ensured as soon as possible. (Ausaf Edit)
7. India will not be given consular access to arrested RAW agents Kulbhushan Yadav and Hamid Nihal Ansari. Hence their names were included in the list exchanged with India about the prisoners on the eve of New Year as per an agreement between the two countries. (Ummat, Daily Dharti)
8. Aggravating drought in AJK, 50 per cent of waters flowing in were stopped by India. This has effected power generation as well. Generation in eight AJK powers plants has come down by 80 per cent, according to TV reports. Acute power shortage and blackouts are being experienced in Muzaffarabad and areas in its vicinity like Hattian Bala and Neelum valley. Waters flowing into AJK is being blocked by India in clear violation of Indus Water Treaty. Due to this act of India, waters now reaching AJK are at record low. (Kawish, Khabrain, Daily Dharti, Jinnah)
9. At a meeting of the All-Parties Special Committee for Kashmir, presided by JI Chief Siraj-ul Haq, it was decided to setup special delegation consisting of leaders from various political parties to highlight Kashmir issue. The delegation will write letter to the new UN Secretary General and will meet diplomats of Security Council-member countries.. The delegation will also call on Nawaz Sharif, Bhutto Zardari and Imran Khan and will inform them of the Committee’s suggestions. The delegation will also meet Pope and will apprise him of the situation in Kashmir. The meeting was attended by Senator Mushahid Husain, former AJK Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mehmood, JI-AJK Chief Abdur Rashid Turabi, and JI leader Liyaqat Baloch. (Daily Dharti, Daily Pak, Urdupoint)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. Former COAS General Raheel Sharif has been appointed as Commander In-Chief of Islamic Military Alliance’ formed by 39 Islamic countries to fight terrorism. The official announcement is expected within next two days. (Jasarat, Jang, Daily Intekhab, Urdupoint)
2. Bahrain military Commander Lieutenant General Mohammed bin Eisa Sulaiman Al-Khalifa met Army Chief at the GHQ on Monday. They discussed regional security, professional military affairs and bilateral defines relations. (Jang/ Urdupoint, Ausaf, Khabrain)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. A Frontier Corps vehicle on duty was targeted and attacked with bombs on the western bye-pass in Quetta. Six FC men were injured in the attack. Elsewhere, a blast has ripped through a passenger bus and a tractor in Chattar, when they came in contact with land mines. Nine persons received injuries. Security forces have recovered arms and ammunition from Barkhan during a search operation. (Daily Intekhab)
2. CTD-Sindh will carry out a psychological training of 300 militants in jails who were involved in serious crimes. (Jang)
3. Terrorists arrested from Karachi have revealed that they are organizing banned outfit, Al Ehrar’s network in various areas of Karachi. Their planned targets include key police officers. The network is being operated from the tribal area. (Jang, Roznama Dunya)
ECONOMY
1. A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court has taken suo moto notice of new NAB rule that allows a corrupt person to go scot free by making a voluntary disclosure of his wealth or bribe amount. One of the judges on the bench observed that this rule makes NAB a facilitator in corruption. “Why does NAB not give an advertisement to go ahead with corruption and then make voluntary disclosures, the judge asked sarcastically. The SC also observed that NAB is misusing this law. SC has issued notices to NAB, FIA and Anti-Corruption department asking them to tell if they all have same anti-corruption powers. When such things happen, how can one blame the police that is notorious for facilitating criminals getting released after taking bribes from them? Why just the police department, even other law keeping machineries are facilitators in several other illegal activities, like export-imports. Trends and new traditions that are being set by NAB will take the society deeper into trouble. Major reason for social decay is weak laws and justice system. Conditions have reached such a pitiable level that right from a traffic constable to any high level bureaucrat everyone has become habituated to extracting money from others’ pockets to run their home. Such acts lead to rise of militancy too. If such acts continue for long, Pakistan might get isolated globally. In view of this, justice system should be made stronger. It is the key to Pakistan’s growth and progress. (Ibrat Edit)
2. Supreme Court has dubbed NAB as facilitator of the corrupt. An apt comment since the NAB is accepting ‘plea bargaining’ by corrupt people, and is not ashamed of justifying the practice. (Khabrain Edit)
POWER/WATER
1. The New Year has begun with a big bang – heavy load shedding and cut in gas supply. Non-payment of dues to the oil companies and power houses for want of funds has resulted in this pathetic situation on the very first day of 2017. (Jang Edit, Roznama Dunya Edit)
2. Scarcity of water is compounded by water terrorism by India and Pakistan’s difficult to understandable strategy to cope with the situation are making difficult for the people.. Government should build as many dams as possible to conserve new rain water and water from melting glaciers. It should take every possible action to stop India from using Pakistan’s share of water. (Daily K2 Edit)
SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. PPP senior Zardari has convened meeting of Sindh leaders on January 4th. Those incited include all those who have been elected from Sindh to the Senate, National Assembly and also to Sindh Assembly. The meeting will assess performance of the PPP parliamentarians. (Awami Awaz)
2. Jami Chandiyo in his article writes: while companies in building the Ghorani dam in claim that it would better the lives of people of Thar area, locals assert that the project will not only people displace them but also will ruin their lives. Total area coming under the dam is just 1500 acres and not 2700 acres. Of this only 532 acres is private land belonging to the Thar people and remaining 968 acres is government land. In order to remove this confusion, the government and the company should show map of this project to the media to verify as to how much is private land. And how much is government land, which is a misleading term indeed. Because land always belongs to the people of the area or the region. Government is just a protector of such land. Entire Sindh should stand by the Thar people; this is entire Sindh’s moral and national duty. (Kawish)
3. Shaikh Israr in a special report says: Sindh government has blamed the Federal government for not implementing NAP, not banning 94 madrasas that are in touch with the militants, not checking illegal smuggling of weapons towards Sindh, not checking TV interviews of the heads of banned organisations, for not activating NACTA and for Federal government’s sluggish tendencies in deporting lakhs of Afghans who have been staying illegally in Karachi. The Sindh CM said that the Federal government has no clear and concrete policy. That is the reason why banned groups’ are openly holding meetings. The Federal government has failed miserably in implementing key aspects of NAP. Sindh CM was speaking at the Sindh Apex Committee meeting that was attended by new core Commander of Karachi, new DG Rangers of Sindh and also the controversial Sindh Police Chief who has resumed after being forced to proceed on leave by the Sindh government (Ummat, Sindh Express, Ausaf, Daily Intekhab)
4. Home Secretary, Sindh, told the Sindh Apex Committee meeting that on the recommendations of Sindh government, 62 banned groups have been included in first schedule. He also said, that 94 madrasas in Sindh have been identified for having connections with militants and the list has been sent to the federal Home Ministry for banning them but so far there has been no implementation. Out of 16 cases referred to the Army Courts, death penalty has been awarded in 13 cases. So far 9.2 lakh Afghans have been registered. (Ummat, Sindh Express, Ausaf, Daily Intekhab)
5. Sindh Apex Committee was informed that 50 madaris were connected with terrorist organization and this information was provided by intelligence agencies, Rangers and police. Of them, 27 were in Karachi, 12 in Hyderabad, 4 in Larkana, 6 in Sukkur and one was in Ghotki. (Ummat, Sindh Express, Ausaf, Daily Intekhab)
6. Sindh Chief Minister has conveyed to the new Core Commander and the DG Rangers his concern over the searches at the residence and offices of Anwar Majeed, a close aide of Zardari. The DG Rangers assured him that there would be transparent investigations in this matter. (Sindh Express)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. PPP is said to be divided into two groups on launching a protest campaign against the Sharif government. One faction wants politics of consensus to continue, whereas the other group wanted Bilawal to declare a protest schedule without delay. (Daily Pak)
2. Participating in a Dunya News Program, Senator Javed Hashmi has alleged that retired General Tariq held many meetings with Imran Khan during his container strike in Islamabad. (Roznama Dunya)
POK/G-B NEWS
1. Security has been beefed up in Ghizer after information about the presence of miscreants from outside areas. Locals have been asked to keep an eye on the movement of outsiders and report any suspicious activity. (Daily K2)
2. Inauguration of 14 megawatt Naltar power project remains a mystery as no program was organized on 2nd January as had been claimed by the government. Another report says that the Naltar Project would start working from today and 9 megawatt uninterrupted power supply will be started. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal)
3. Pakistan’s national Census will cover Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK in the second phase while the first phase would be focused on the four province of Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). (Baad-e-Shimal, Daily Pak)
4. People should cooperate with the government and security forces in maintaining peace and harmony in Gilgit-Baltistan. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)