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. After PTI Chief Imran Khan met the Chinese envoy, the Government of Pakistan has decided to intensify work on the western route of the CPEC project, reliable sources said. PM Nawaz Sharif took notice of China’s concern and asked NHA Chairman to handle the issue as a special task. Motorway in Shangla, Fateh Jang and Dera Ismail Khan will be built in the first phase. (Khabrain)
AFGHANISTAN
1. Afghanistan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said that thousands of Afghanis are working in Saudi Arabia on Pakistani Passport. The Afghan Government has requested the Saudi King to issue work visas to Afghan nationals and the request has been accepted. (Daily Pak)
2. The Afghan Taliban leadership has given a green signal for negotiations with the US. The responsibility of negotiation lies with the soldiers of Maulavi Yaqoob, the son of former Taliban Chief Mullah Omer and Maulavi Abdul Mannan, brother of Mullah Omer. (Ummat)
INDIA
1.After China, Russia, the US and even Britain rejected its petition against Pakistan. India suffered a severe setback in its bid to isolate Pakistan. It will have to change its anti-Pakistan policies. (Daily Pak Edit)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1.China, Russia and Muslim nations are supporting extension of tenure of the General Raheel Sharif while the US, UK, India, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are opposing the move. (Khabrain)
2. Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, Wajihuddin Ahmed, has asked government to appoint the most senior commander as the successor to Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif. “If the government makes someone Army Chief who is not acceptable to the people and to the Army, it will only complicate matters”, he remarked and added, “History speaks for the fact that Nawaz Sharif does such mistakes.” (Sind Express)
3. Sajjada Nasheen, Pir Syed Munawar Hussain and Shah Sahib Jamati have criticised politicians and praised the military. “Military rule is better than this handicapped government”, they said in an interview. (Ausaf)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) says anti-Islamic forces are trying to create a rift between China and Pakistan. Hafiz Saeed and Sami-ul-Haq have underlined the need for a strong foreign policy. Both have lauded the sacrifices of Kashmiris and vowed to provide all out support to them. (Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt)
2. Difa-e-Pakistan Council has warned government that it should not take action against JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed under external pressure. The DPC will organize a massive Shahoda-e-Jammu conference in Mirpur on 2 November. However, it will keep off PTI protests. “DPC has neither received any invitation from PTI nor does DPC have any interest in PTI protest agenda.” (Ummat)
3. Ahle Sunnat Islamic groups have continued their protest for the second day demanding that the Blasphemy accused Asia Bibi should be hanged to death. (Khabrain)
ECONOMY/WATER/POWER
1. The NAB has miserably failed to discharge its assigned tasks. The agency should work without fear in an atmosphere free from any political influence and strive to get back the looted public money from all monsters. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. The tension is mounting as countdown has started for Imran’s Islamabad bandh on 2nd November. The PTI leader has been saying that since elections are too far away in 2018l the ruling PML-N party must reply to charges of corruption in Panama Leaks papers. Now PPP is also gearing up for a showdown with Bilawal keeps reminding Nawaz Sharif that he is the PM of Pakistan and not just Punjab. Bilawal too has threatened of a stir if PPP’s demands are not met with. The government makes tall claims of a lot of good work since coming to power but facts speak otherwise. More than 30 per cent population lives below poverty line in country. The government does not show much concern for the common man, whose sufferings are increasing by the day. If such a callous attitude continues, irrespective of what opposition parties do, the government will have to face the wrath of common people. It is therefore fair and proper for the government to wake up instead of allowing the situation to drift and become uncontrollable. (Ibrat)
2. The government instead of wasting its energy on mobilising more and more police force to handle the PTI protestors should give a thought as to how it can stall these dharnas in Islamabad by holding talks with the PTI.. (Sindh Express)
3. The Vice Chairman of PTI, Shah Mahmood Quereshi, has accused the government of planning to arrest his party leaders and cadres to scuttle their Nov 2 dharna in Islamabad. “We are not afraid of arrest,” he declared and asserted that Imran’s campaign was fight against corruption. (Ibrat)
4. MQM London is active again in Karachi. Hundreds of women members and other activists gathered yesterday at Jinnah ground near party the headquarters. The police and Rangers too laid siege around this ground on that occasion and MQM activists and women members resisted them. Following talks between activists and Rangers, seniors and women amongst the MQM cadre were allowed to enter the ground but other area around was sealed. Women members resented the presence of Rangers and police presence. (Sindh Express)
SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/PUNJAB/KP
1. The MQM is responsible for destroying peace of Karachi. Ishratul Ibad, who has been the Sindh Governor for fourteen long years also cannot escape blame. For instance, Saulat Mirza of MQM got better facilities in the jail at his behest.
The Sindh Assembly termed Altaf Husain a traitor but Ishratul believes Altaf is his leader and is not ready to speak against him. (Khabrain Edit)
2. The Sindh Governor and Mustafa Kamal are levelling charges against each other. The Sindh Governor has accused Mustafa Kamal of involvement in major violent incidents like the Baldia town garment factory fire, attacks on ANP leaders, and May 12, 2007 violence. The governor also says Kamal was engaged in buying weapons in preparation for the fights with the police and the Army. Kamal responded levelling equally serious charges against the governor, Ishratul Ibad. He was involved in the May 2007 massacre, thundered Kamal, and demanded sacking of the governor. He also wants the government to prevent Ibad from leaving the country. Arrest him and try him for holding dual citizenship of Pakistan and UK. Charging the governor with sending money to countries like Malaysia and Thailand, he demanded a thorough probe into such transactions. Terming Ishratul Ibad and Altaf Hussain as cancer for Pakistan, Kamal said once thee two worthies are taken to task, everything else will fall in place. Kamal also demanded investigations into charges Dr. Masood Hameed Vice Chancellor of Dow University is facing. Masood is hand-in glove with Ibad, in matters of corruption, he said and asked the Federal Government to order an inquiry against both. PTI has also said that it is seeking Sindh governor’s resignation. The nation wants to know the truth. Government machinery concerned should discharge their duties. (Awami Awaz Edit, Kawish Edit)
3. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed that PTI will use Afghan refugees to create emergency situation during its dharna in Islamabad. The refugees want to return to Afghanistan but the KP government is trying to misuse them for its causes. Rana rejected Defence Minister Khwaja Asif’s claim that PTI was planning to take support of students of Madrasas for its dharna. (Ummat)
4. Zia Shahid said that Sindh is moving speedily towards Governor Raj. Weapons stolen from NATO containers are still lay buried in Karachi; mosques and parks have been constructed on sites where weapons were hidden. (Khabrain
5. 53% students in 44 private schools in Islamabad are reportedly addicted to narcotics, the Senate was told. It was revealed that both students and teachers were involved in drug trafficking. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
POK/G-B NEWS
1. At a high level meeting in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu Kashmir’s additional Chief Secretary gave briefing to the MLAs and other functionaries about the arrangements made for the Black Day and Foundation Day. AJK Prime Minister Farooq Haider told the meeting that J & K Liberation Cell would be activated. (Roznama Dunya)
2. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf said that Kashmiris would continue to get Pakistan’s support at diplomatic and political level. (Roznama Dunya)