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.
CHINA
1. Chief of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party Mehmood Achakzai says the CPEC is going the way the East India Company went. He made this remark when the Public Accounts Committee was discussing issues related to Pakistan Steel Mills. The Industry Secretary told the PAC that the work in the Steel Mills is completely stopped. 50% mills in the private sector have closed down because of steel imports from China. (Jang)
2. China has invited Iran to join the CPEC. This is a welcome development. Iran’s Chabahar Port is not very far from the Gwadar Port and once the Gwadar Port is ready, Chabahar will lose its importance. If both the ports are connected by a railway line, it will change the entire scenario. Hence it is in the interest of Iran that it becomes a part of the CPEC project. Afghanistan too has expressed interest in participating in the CPEC. It is important not to lose sight of the fact that India is not happy with the CPEC and could do anything to sabotage the project. Unfortunately some elements in Pakistan including KPK CM Pervez Khattak are supporting India’s agenda against the CPEC by making the western route of the project a political football even after assurances by the Chinese envoy. The KPK Government should not create unnecessary such problems as CPEC is beneficial for everyone. Pakistan will have to win the war on terror to shut the mouth of India and end its conspiracies. (Daily Pak Edit, Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
INDIA
1. Aftab Sultan, Director General, IB, has warned that there is a threat to the CPEC project from nationalist groups, non-state actors, Indian agency RAW, Afghanistan agency, NDS, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the TTP, who are very active in order to sabotage the venture. It will take time to get rid of the root of terrorism that was sown 35-40 years ago. It is difficult to control militants since most of them have fled to Afghanistan following the Army operations in North Waziristan. There is a threat to the CPEC from Islamic movement Uzbekistan (IMU) because they want to harm Chinese interests. Though this organisation does not have any roots in Pakistan, it is functioning indirectly from Pakistan. He said this while briefing a Parliamentary standing committee that discussed the CPEC security, tapping of politicians’ phones and issues relating to missing people. During the 1992 PPP rule, IB was made part of the Karachi operations and IB had political backing but thereafter IB was side-lined. The present government has once again activated the IB on Karachi operations. With regards to the security of the CPEC project, Aftab Sultan said a proposal has been submitted to the PM for setting up IB offices on the corridor routes. Special cells should be set up for the CPEC project and they should be given the task to look after security of this project. The IB and ISI have been authorized to monitor phone calls in national interests, he added. (Kawish)
2.It was disclosed in the meeting of the Senate’s Standing Committee for Cabinet that Indian secret agency RAW has hired services of terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Afghan Intelligence Agency, NDS, apart from East Turkmenistan Independence Movement to sabotage the work of the CPEC project. Chief of the Pakistan Civil Intelligence assured the Committee that Pakistan’s national security organisations are fully prepared to fail the attempts of the enemy country. The Director General of IB Aftab Sultan said 5000 operations were under taken during the last three years by the Intelligence Agencies. The Committee met under the chairmanship of Chairman Senator Mohammad Talha Mehmood at the Parliament House. The meeting was also briefed about phone tapings, missing persons and working of the Intelligence Bureau. (Daily Intekhab)
3. Arif Bahar writes that after splitting the Saarc ranks, Indian Pm Modi has tried to corrupt BRICS. Modi thinks that he is isolating Pakistan but every move of his is going against his plans. India thinks it is a tiger but this tiger becomes a goat in front of China. Sometime ago Chinese newspapers stated that India is a big power but it is not the end of the world. Its time India must realize this. (Jasarat)
4. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed while speaking exclusively with ‘Dunya News’ said that the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should ensure right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir. In return Hafiz Saeed is ready to become a servant of Sharif. (Jasarat)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. Senior journalist Kamran Khan says Army’s concerns are not yet over. The Army still wants to know about the culprits behind the leakage of the reports on the national security. Army wants them to be identified so that action can be taken against them. Army has also demanded to be informed about the results of the investigations in this matter. According to the sources, the investigations in this matter are not yet over. (Sindh Express)
2. Aitzaz Ahsan, senior PPP leader, has alleged that there are five master minds behind the Dawn report. One of them is the PM himself. The others are Shahbaz Sharif, Pervez Rashid, Ishaq Dar and Nisar Chaudhary. These five decided to get this report planted in the media and Dawn was shortlisted for the purpose so that it being English daily, the report could reach out to the world community. Nisar Ali Khan was used for feeding the story to the daily. (Kawish)
3. In the wake of leak of what had transpired at a high level national security meeting attended by civilian leaders and the Army officials, a crisis like situation has developed. The government has received appreciation from West and the US no doubt but the situation is fragile in Islamabad and those responsible will have to pay a price. The government might have to sacrifice a few senior ministers. If the government does not take action to satisfy the Army then those behind the leak will be arrested under the Army Act for directly or indirectly becoming facilitators of the enemy countries. (Ummat-Roznama Dunya)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Security agencies have recovered two bombs, suicide jackets and other explosive material during a raid on Saryab Road in Quetta. Two low intensity bombs fitted on motor cycles, two suicide jackets, 70 kg explosives, 3 SMGs, two pistols and currency worth lakhs of rupees have also been seized during this raid. (Awami Awaz)
2. IG FC Maj. Gen. Sherafghan said that forces have cleared all no go areas in Balochistan. Pakistani flags are flying high in every part of Balochistan and the enemy’s conspiracy to create rift between brothers is thwarted. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
ECONOMY/POWER/WATER
Chashma Power Plant III has been commissioned. It produces 340MW electricity. As per the government projections, by 2020 Pakistan will be able to produce 2100MW electricity. If this goal is reached then there would be minimum load shedding. (Daily Pak Edit)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. Talal Chaudhary, PML (N) leader, said that the opposition wants to drag on the Panama leaks case till 2018 polls so that they can keep drawing political mileage. Imran Khan also has evaded tax and indulged in. Nawaz Sharif has not raked up these issues as he does not do politics of allegations. (Awami Awaz)
2. Shafqat Mahmood, PTI leader said his party is going to people’s court on the Panama papers leaks issue involving Nawaz Sharif because we know the Prime Minister will never present himself for accountability. (Awami Awaz)
3. Tahir-ul-Qadri, head of Pakistan Awami Teherik party said that PML (N) leaders are mean and cunning people. On a TV show he also said that he prays for the success for Imran’s protests though the PTI leader has not consulted him on his latest dharna plans. (Kawish)
4. The ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) has conducted its organisational elections. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was re-elected President and Raja Zafar-ul-Haq was elected as the Chairman unopposed. Though election for all the central posts was to beheld, nomination papers were filed only for the posts of President, Chairman, Vice Presidents, Finance Secretary and Information Secretary. All these posts were filled unopposed. Sartaj Aziz, Saranjam Khan, Changez Murray, Imdad Hussain Chandio, Yaqoob Nasir and Sikander Hayat were elected as Vice Presidents. Parvez Rashid was elected Finance Secretary while PML (N) spokesperson Mushahidullah was elected as the Secretary Information. (Daily Intekhab)
BALOCHISTAN/SINDH/KP/PUNJAB
1. Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch, former Balochistan Chief Minister says there is a sense of alienation in the air in Balochistan and also in Sindh. Balochistan should get a fair share in the CPEC project. (Ibrat)
2. Senior PPP leader Nahed Khan, visited the place in Karachi where Benazir Bhutto’s convoy was attacked on October 18, 2007 in Karachi. She paid homage to martyrs of the blast. She regretted that even nine years after Benazir’s murder, no arrests have been made. (Awami Awaz)
3. Rakan Aldin has been sacked from MQM, Pakistan Rabta (co-ordination) Committee, says a statement issued by MQM, Pakistan. He has been accused of violating party rules and regulation, which is a euphemism for contacts with MQM London. Membership of two others, Ashraf Noor and Akran Rajput has also been terminated. (Awami Awaz)
4. Hasan Askari Rizvi writes: in the eighties, MQM was not ‘Mutahida Qaumi Movement’ but was ‘Mohajir Qaumi Movement’. By replacing Mohajir to Mutahida, the party wanted to give the impression that it was not just only for Mohajirs. Only one person Altaf Hussain mattered and no one else was allowed to rise within the party. Party’s one and only slogan ‘Hamein Manzil Naheen Rahnuma Chahiya’- ‘We want the leader and not the destination’ truly and rightly reflects MQM’s philosophy. Altaf has been abroad over 25 years. Problems started with Altaf’s controversial addresses. These speeches are increasingly becoming unacceptable eve to own party men. If the MQM has now shifted its base from 90 to PIB colony, Karachi (that is Farooq Sattar’s residence), it is all because of Altaf’s unacceptable speeches and his temperament. The establishment may have wanted to get rid of him but It is Altaf who made this job easier for the establishment with his controversial speeches. Parties like Pak Sarzameen Party and MQM, Pakistan are formed because of Altaf’s provocative speeches. (Awami Awaz)
POK/G-B NEWS
1. Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Speaker Fida Nashad said people of Gilgit-Baltistan have no interest in becoming a part of Kashmir. “We only want to become the fifth constitutional province of Pakistan. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have fought to free Gilgit-Baltistan from Dogra tyranny, he recalled and said hold a referendum if you are in doubt. Nashad also remarked that GB and Pakistan are made for each other and the people will not accept any other set-up. (Baad-e-Shimal)
2. The Awami Action Committee has staged protests in Astore to highlight corruption in government and neglect of people’s problems. It is the responsibility of the government to resolve problems of the people and stop playing irresponsible politics. On the other hand it is important that the opposition and the political groups also work for the benefit of the people and not for vested interests. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)