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.
KARACHI /SINDH SCENE
- Sindh Police IG, Sind Advocate General and Karachi Police Additional IG are reportedly to be replaced as they failed to carry out diktats of the Sindh leadership. Personal likes and dislikes of the leadership also are attributed for the impending sack order. When the current police IG Khwaja was brought in as replacement for Ghulam Hyder, everybody hailed the decision. Though mixed opinions greeted the appointment of Barrister Zamir Ghumro as the Advocate General, there have been no charges against him. Karachi Additional IG Mushtaq Meher is known as an honest officer. Rumour mills say that IG Khwaja did not listen to any recommendations during recruitments in the Sindh Police. The Karachi Additional IG is being replaced because Karachi is “golden goose” and he might have failed to appease some big wigs. The Advocate General is being shown the door on the ground that he did not put forth government case strongly before the Sindh High Court resulting in the verdict that the advisors and special aides to Sindh CM should be done away. No society can make any progress till merit gets it due weightage. (Awami Awaz Edit)
- Militants have started targeting police officers in Karachi. These attacks have a big impact on the psyche of common people, who think that if police officers can become soft targets of militants, then what about safety of common man. As the new Army Chief takes over, common people hope that not only in Karachi but also in every part of the country, more efforts will be taken to maintain law and order. (Ibrat Edit)
- Every report on lawlessness in Karachi says that outsiders are found to be involved in criminal or militant activities. Such elements could include fugitive Afghans or others who are on the run from their own country. Sind government had expressed its concern on this subject. Yet the Sindh government is planning to regularise 115 illegal colonies of Bengalis in the city. It will hurt Sindhi sentiments. What kind of message is being sent out through such plans? The government should have instead taken measures to accommodate Sindhis coming from interiors to Karachi city. Thus compensate Sindhis who have voted PPP in power. Instead the government has forcibly sent back the rural Sindhis who had taken shelter in Karachi during flooding of 2010 and thereafter. The Sindh government has not done anything to regularise old Sindhi colonies in the interiors of Karachi. It looks to be very sympathetic of Bengalis. It should not do any such thing for temporary gains because the PPP comes to power only with Sindhi votes. (Sindh Express Edit)
CHINA
- PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Quereshi says China wants guarantee for CPEC not from the Government of Pakistan but from Army. Pakistan’s relations with Saudi and few other countries are also not in good shape. (Awami Awaz)
INDIA
- MQM Pakistan has tabled a resolution in the National Assembly that India should end its occupation of the State of Junagadh. The resolution read: Junagadh is an integral part of Pakistan and its people are Pakistani citizens as per the ‘Division of India Act’. (Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt)
- Escape of hard-core prisoners from Patiala jail is a major embarrassment to India. Modi Government should stop conspiring to destabilize Pakistan and instead worry about India’s very own internal security. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
- An Indian resident of New Delhi hoisted Pakistani flag on his house which created headache for the administration. (Ummat)
- Federal Minister for Science and Technology and Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said that though Pakistan has adopted policy of peace it knows how to give a befitting response to India. Prime Minister Modi is a man with an extremist mindset. If India carries any adventure, a befitting response will be given. (Jasarat, Urdupoint)
- PM special coordinator Tariq Fatemi said Sartaj Aziz is Pakistan’s Foreign Minister. He has experience of dealing in foreign affairs, and has complete freedom to hold meetings with the Foreign Ministers on his foreign tours. India is not ready to talk on Kashmir. India wants to deflect attention of the world community from the on-going freedom movement in Kashmir. The people of Afghan are brothers of Pakistanis and if today they are annoyed soon they will be solaced. (Jasarat, Khabrain)
- PM Modi is neither able to control economy nor has been successful in establishing peace in India. The Modi government’s demonetization decision has sparked protests everywhere and resulted in hundreds of deaths. Not only minorities are insecure in India, women and foreign tourists are also facing sexual harassment from Army and Police. A Japanese tourist was sexually assaulted in the state of Kerala. The Modi government and its media have vowed to accuse Pakistan for whatever takes place in India including firing at the LoC, the Punjab jail break and various separatist movements in India. If all the separatist movements of India come together, nobody will be able to stop India from disintegrating. (Ummat Edit)
- Defence Analyst retired General Liaqat Tur says India is finding ways for sustaining rivalry with Pakistan. India is now talking about stopping Pakistani waters. India should know that if situation deteriorated India will have to face more destruction. Former Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah has criticised the Indian PM Modi for threatening to stop water flow to Pakistan. (Khabrain)
- JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed says massive relief work has been resumed at LoC for people affected by Indian firing. Goods worth Rupees 8 lakh have been sent from Lahore which will meet the needs of some 3000 families for a month. 10 trucks of relief items worth Rs. One million have been sent for the families affected by Indian Army firing at the LoC. Thousands of people are forced to migrate from Khuiratta to Neelum Valley alone. Saeed asked Pak government to stop trading in onion and potatoes with India. He urged the new COAS Bajwa to extend support for the people of Kashmir. (Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt, Jasarat, Khabrain, Urdupoint)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
- After the appointment of new Army Chief, Pakistan government has begun to contemplate on many important issues, including Kashmir issue, LoC situation, and repatriation of Afghan refugees. The Government has decided to meet Hurriyat leaders to highlight the Kashmir issue at the international level. (Urdupoint)
- Pakistan’s new Army Chief is aware of the geography and history of Kashmir. Firing at the LoC affects both the side of Kashmir. India and Pakistan should initiate the talk process. (Daily Dharti Edit)
- International Human Rights Watch, Pakistan Chairman Sohail Akhtar Malik says the new Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa will give India a fitting response. He will take decisions as per the wishes of Pakistanis. (Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt)
- Federal Minister for States and Border Area, Retired Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch said nation’s confidence in the new Army Chief will remain the same as it was with General Raheel Sharif. (Urdupoint)
- Just retired Army Chief Raheel Sharif has given a conditional consent for heading the Islamic Military Alliance of 39 countries to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT) formed in March 2016. He reportedly stated he should have the right to mediate with the various fighting groups. He will not accept the position only to fight against a single group. Iran has assured that it will bring the Houthi Rebels for talks with Saudi Arabia if Raheel Sharif is ready to accept the command of IMAFT. (Daily Pak)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
- Intelligence agencies say that ten suicide attackers have entered Punjab. TTP may be targeting important figures and sensitive areas, it is said. (Khabrain)
- Two suspected members of the banned organization were killed and two others were arrested during a joint search ops by the Frontier Corps and secrete agencies in Sartap, Dera Bugti on a tip off. Five militant bases were destroyed and a large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered, according to the spokesperson of Frontier Corps. In a similar joint operation in Sangan, large quantities of ammunition were recovered. (Daily Intekhab, Urdupoint)
ECONOMY/POWER/WATER
- It was announced in yesterday’s National Financial Commission’s meeting that new financial award will be declared before the budget. During the discussions, Sindh emissary demanded that expenses on Karachi operations be borne or shared by the Federal government. Sindh alone has been bearing these expenses since three to four years. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emissary sought more funds for security. Next NFC meet will take place in third week of December. Provinces keep demanding more funds in these NFC meetings and in every meeting, the Federal government keeps repeating its helplessness. Security is not just a Federal issue but also of provinces. Provincial governments are using their resources on security maintenance. Karachi operations are glaring example as to how much is being spent on security by the Sindh government. Some ministries have been transferred to the provinces under the 18th Amendment. It is the financial independence that matters more. That is the crux of the issue. The Federal Government keeps avoiding it. The federal structure’s stability is very much dependent on financial strength of the constituents. Provinces should prepare their case strongly for more funds. (Kawish Edit)
SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
- Interior Ministry says Balochistan Government is not cooperating in providing information to the Interpol on Brahamdagh Bugti of the Baloch Republican Party for a red corner notice against him. The provincial government for the second time provided incomplete information, it adds. A Red-corner notice was issued against Brahamdagh Bugti during Musharraf rein, but it was withdrawn during the PPP rule. (Daily Intekhab, Urdupoint, Daily K2)
- Food crisis in Tharparkar is a matter of concern. The government should take steps on war footing to address the food and health needs of the area. (Khabrain Edit)
- JuI (S) Chief Maulana Sami ul Haq has demanded the dissolution of the Sindh Assembly and imposition of governor’s rule in the province. Addressing a press conference, he criticized that the government is promoting western agenda against religious madaris. (Urdupoint)
- Expansion of the CM Shahbaz Sharif’s cabinet is a welcome decision. It will make governance more effective. (Daily Pak Edit)
- Federal Railway Minister was instructed to link FATA into the railway network and prepare feasibility report for Peshawar to Torkham rail link. (Urdupoint)
POLITICAL SCENE
- Lord Nazir Ahmad, UK law maker, says Nawaz Sharif has no capacity or courage to take decisions. He makes Friday prayers on Sundays. It was a wrong decision to make Maulana Fazal-ur Rahman the Chairman of Kashmir committee. Pakistan doesn’t need old people as advisors on foreign affairs. Speaking at a seminar in Punjab University, he also said that Pakistan should support Khalistan movement. 80% Sikh are ready to get freedom from India. Kashmiris, Palestinian and Sikhs should get their rights. Once Khalistan is formed Kashmir will automatically get freedom. Kashmir issue is not just a matter of giving freedom to Kashmiris, but a matter of survival of Pakistan. China should be included in Kashmir issue. If appropriate reply to Modi’s threat to stop water is not given, he will stop water. Politicians should expose RAW’s role in Pakistan and Afghanistan (Urdupoint, Jasarat, Awami Awaz)
- Dr. Tahir-ul Qadri said he had met former ISI Chief, Zaheer ul Islam during dharnas in 2014. The meeting took place at the GHQ in the presence of General Raheel Sharif. Before this meeting I had never seen or met the Chief. His meeting with Raheel Sharif was scheduled and DG, ISI Zaheer was also present in that meeting. As soon he got down from his vehicle, Zaheer ul Islam came to greet him and shook his hands. There were no talks with Zaheer during that first meeting. During this three-hour long meeting with Raheel Sharif, Zaheer was quiet all the while. (Awami Awaz)
- PPP candidate has won Malir by-election to the National Assembly. PTI, MQM-Pakistan and Sunni Tehreek boycotted the bye election. Voter turnout was low at 20 per cent which shows that people did not take much interest. Finding polling booths wearing a deserted look in the morning, PPP activists kept pleading with voters to come out to cast vote. They also brought voters from their homes to the polling booth. Yet, the PPP candidate polled less than expected votes though the party leadership came out in his support. Even police did not take any interest in the bye election and the bandobast duty was handed over to the Rangers, who took three persons into custody for bogus voting, two of them are said to be from PPP. (Sindh Express)
POK/G-B NEWS
- G-B CM Hafiz-ur-Rahman has claimed that his government has managed to end hate politics and improved law and order situation. Peace is the key for development in any society. Hence it is the responsibility of every individual to respect others and maintain harmony. It is necessary to protect the culture of Gilgit-Baltistan community. (Daily K2 Edit, Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
- AJK Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Abdur Rasheed Turabi said Federal government should give a share of central revenue to Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan under the National Finance Commission Award. (Daily Dharti, Urdupoint, Jasarat)
- AJK society for national and social reforms has demanded Rs. 40 crores for building a dam at Derek to meet drinking water needs. (Daily Dharti)
- The Federal government has agreed to provide more funds to AJK. In an interview to a news agency, Chief Secretary, Sikandar Sultan Raja, said the deal for a development package for 13 constituencies along the Line of Control (LoC) has been finalized. The Federal government has agreed to provide a development budget of more than Rs 700 million soon. (Daily Dharti)
- Gilgit-Baltistan law maker Rani Atiqa said that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had given their verdict in 1947 itself. They are Pakistanis and hence Gilgit-Baltistan should be made a complete constitutional province of Pakistan. She rejected observer status to GB in Pakistan’s parliament. (Daily K2)
- Seven mega projects have been approved for Gilgit-Baltistan under the CPEC. The Governor and the Executive Chairman of the CPEC Council have signed the papers. An Airport is proposed at Hunza Nagar. Vocational Training Centres, Leprosy Hospital, Economic Zones, and KIU’s Campus are planned in Hunza. (Baad-e-Shimal)
- Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for General Development claims there is no corruption in his department. The government will not tolerate any corruption in the developmental projects. (Daily K2)
- Gilgit-Baltistan CM Hafiz-ur Rahman said help from Ulema of all sects will be taken to convince the people against electricity theft. As much as seven MW electricity was added in past 18 months. Work on a 14 MW project is over; ten Chinese engineers have started test run. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal)