SOURCE: Ausaf, Ummat, Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt, Urdu Point, Daily Jinnah, Awami Awaz, Daily Dharti, Jasarat, Kawish, Daily Intekhab,Sindh Express, Daily Times, Jang, Ibrat, Khabrain, Roznama Dunya, Hizb Media, Al Qalam Weekly, Baad-e-Shimal, Bang-e-Sahar.
CHINA/CPEC
1. Work has started to upgrade the 1872 kilometres long railway line from Karachi to Peshawar as part of the CPEC project. A team of 12 railway engineers has reached Peshawar for designing the up-gradation. The designing work will be completed in about two months’; the groundwork will take off next year. The Lahore -Peshawar railway line track will also be doubled. (Kawish)
2. Ministry for Planning and Development says the first phase of the CPEC project will be completed by 2018. It would enable generation of 10,000 MWs of electricity, which will help controlling power shortages. (Daily Intekhab)
UNITED STATES
1. The US media says three Afghan Taliban leaders had negotiations with Pakistani officials in Islamabad. In the past, the US leaders and official had also held negotiations with Afghan Mujahideen and it was policy of the US that all the issues should be resolved through negotiations. Then why is the US afraid if Pakistani officials are having negotiations with the Taliban leaders. However, Pakistan has not officially confirmed the meeting. (Jasarat Edit)
AFGHANISTAN
2. There are 78 crossing points on Pak-Afghan border but only 16 are regular, according to the chairman of the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, Mushahid Husain Sayed. He told reporters that Afghanistan has committed breach of borders 213 times during last one year. India also breached Line of Control 58 times during last one month, and 103 times during last year. (Daily Intekhab)
3. Hizb-e-Isalmi Chief Gulbadin Hekmatyar spokesperson Maulavi Farid said those trying to flare anti-Pakistan feelings in Afghanistan will die down soon and peace will prevail. Addressing the JI’s gathering in KP, he further said that Hekmatyar has joined Ghani government with the condition that negotiations should be held with Taliban. Taliban’s leader Mullah Rasool has supported Hekmatyar’s deal with Kabul. Now there are only ten thousand allied forces in Afghanistan.
4. Maulavi Farid was accompanied by a delegation of 15 Hizb leaders including former Afghan jihad commander Ustand Ali Ansari, Ustad Shafique Yaar, Ustad Naseer Ahmad Madni, Ustad Fazal Mullah Turkey, and Ustad Iliyas. (Jasarat)
INDIA
1. Pak COAS General Raheel Sharif is the reason for revival of Khalistan Tehreek in Indian Punjab and the Kashmir Freedom Movement that is at its peak now, Samiullah Malik wrote in his column. He adds that Indian Government is extremely frustrated. (Daily K2)
2. India and the US are afraid of JuD and hence government of Pakistan is putting pressure on them to secure its position. JuD activists and ideologues also will participate in the PTI protests in the capital. (Ummat)
3. The international human rights organisations and the International Red Cross should take notice of the critical situation in Kashmir. Food should be supplied to the Kashmir people under the World Food Programme. PM Nawaz Sharif should contact the international leaders for convening an emergency meeting of the UNSC. Pakistan and the OIC countries should end trade and relationships with India. (Ausaf Edit)
4. JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has said till the freedom of Kashmir, jihad will continue and no one can secure India from breaking into pieces. (Ausaf)
5. Defence Secretary Retired Lieutenant General Zamir-ul-Hasan Shah said that India’s drama of surgical strikes does not hold water.. The International observers present in Kashmir also have said that according to their observation, no surgical strike was carried out. Pakistan’s armed forces are on high alert to deal with any aggression. He was briefing the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, presided over by Chairman Mushahid Husain Sayed. (Daily Intekhab)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid has said the relations between the government and the forces are very tense and both are playing hide and seek. (Khabrain)
2. Federal government is considering handing over the security of Red Zone to the Army during the PTI bandh for 2nd November. The local administration will formally request the Home Ministry to call in the Army. Security of all important installations including Red Zone will be handed over to the Army. Police and paramilitary forces will also be ordered to remain alert to tackle any eventuality during the PTI march. Red Zone and important installations will be manned by Rangers and Frontier Corps. Imran Khan’s PTI has finalized Plan B in case of arrests of its leaders. Imran Khan has said that his protest strike neither enjoys support of the Army nor non-state actors. (Daily Intekhab)
3. Intelligence agencies have told the government that the PTI has engaged 1000 armed men from Punjab and KP. They will take to disruptive activities at different places across Islamabad on 2nd Nov bandh planned by PTI. . These inputs also have identified MNAs who have taken services of these armed men. These 1000 armed men are f (Sindh Express)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Sunni Ittehad Council Chief Hamid Raza said that South Punjab has become a heaven of banned outfits. Armed action against them is just on paper. He added that terrorists who have escaped police and army actions have taken refuge in Punjab and the Rangers should be given free hand to act against them. (Daily K2)
2. Karachi court has acquitted three MQM activists accused of colluding with RAW for want of evidence. They are Tahir Lamba, Imtiaz and Juned. Tahir Lamba is brother of a militant staying in India. After the arrest, Lamba was produced before Karachi media and he had confessed to the connections with the RAW but the police failed to produce evidence in the court against him. (Awami Awaz)
3. JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch said that the secular forces want to close down mosques and Madaris and they are active to turn Pakistan into a secular state. Nonetheless, the Islamists will defend Islamic ideology. (Jasarat)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. A pro-PML-N and anti-PTI news channel owner informed his anchors and close friends that Nawaz Sharif Government will go very soon. It is not because of the protests by PTI but action against the Government or the PM Sharif is due to wrong intentions of Pakistan’s Army and the Judiciary. (Pk Voices)
2. Imdad Soomro writes: Nawaz Sharif’s survival from the current crisis is must for the success of the CPEC project. Any change of guard at this stage is as good as paving the way for political instability which in itself will be no less than creating obstacles for the project. Neither the civilian leadership nor others will want any obstacle coming in the way of CPEC. Imran Khan might be a big headache for the PML-N and it is also possible that some cracks might have developed in the party but it is not at all anywhere in sight that the PML-N government will crash. Balochistan and KP governments have many apprehensions on the western routes of this corridor but Sindh and Punjab are satisfied. If Nawaz Sharif survives the November 2nd protests then he will emerge stronger like Vladimir Putin. The appointment of the new Army Chief will be a test case for Nawaz Sharif from this point of view. By the time of 2018 polls, current Army Chief, Raheel Sharif will be a matter of the past and it will be Nawaz Sharif taking all the credit for the CPEC project. Even the power cuts issue will be largely resolved by 2018. All these things make Nawaz Sharif stronger in Pakistani politics as Putin is in Russia and Xi Jinping in China. A Damocles sword over Nawaz as of now is the Supreme Court, which is set to hear the Panama case. If he survives, it is all clear ahead for him. Yes, it is not going to be a cakewalk and the road ahead is full of minefields. How Nawaz Sharif, who has turned much wiser from 1999, plays his cards will decide the shape of things to come. (Sindh Express)
3. Countdown for Imran’s November 2nd agitation has begun and the PTI leader seems to be in no mood to be flexible. He has gone on record to say that if the Army intervenes on account of his protests on the Panama issue, the blame will rest at Nawaz Sharif’s doors. The government and the PTI are consulting their sympathisers and others concerned. There are indications that the government has sent its emissary to meet the PPP leader, Syed Khursheed Shah. PML-Q leader, Pervez Elahi has extended support to Islamabad bandh. The months from October to December have always been very crucial for Pakistan. There are unending rumours that all this is happening in the backdrop of Army Chief’s imminent retirement on November 27. Democracy has weak roots in the country and hence any political activity often leads to such rumours. It is now said there are some forces behind the long march from Lahore to Islamabad in 2014 demanding investigations into electoral malpractices. Reports also say these forces i.e. the Establishment were behind the dharnas in 2014. The threats to democracy were then somehow contained with joint parliament session and this time too, all political parties should find some way out or else democracy will get weakened more. Some parties like the PTI might earn some bad name if any such thing happens. (Awami Awaz Edit)
4. Amidst the brewing political crisis on account of PTI’s plans to shut down Islamabad on 2nd November, rumours abound that the Army will be forced to step in and take the control of the nation to end the civil disobedience. Though Army has stated many times in the past that it would keep itself away from attacking the democracy, only time will tell what will happen in the days ahead. Instead of working for vested interests politicians should work for the people who have voted them to the power and for the nation. (Daily K2 Edit, Baad-e-Shimal Edit, Daily Pak Edit)
5. Senior Journalist Hamid Mir says PTI Chief Imran Khan has no intention to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan nor the Islamabad lock down has anything to do with the retirement of COAS General Raheel Sharif. Imran Khan only wants accountability of PM Sharif on Panama paper leaks and corruption. Mir said that it is necessary that PM Sharif present himself for the accountability. (Urdupoint)
6. Jamaat-e-Islami indicated that there would be bloodshed if there is no justice in the Panama leaks case. The government should present itself for accountability. JI Chief Siraj-ul-Haq further said that an open war will be fought against enemies of Nazarya-e-Pakistan. (Ummat-Jasarat)
7. PML-N leadership has reportedly asked JUI (F) leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman to gather support of the religious organizations against the PTI dharna; the Maulana has is now on the job. (Ummat-Jasarat)
8. Imran Khan says November 2 will see Islamabad getting transformed into Tahrir Square. About 10 lakh people are expected to participate in the Islamabad bandh protest. PTI protests will be peaceful. (Ibrat)
9. 65 per cent people in Pakistan say that Nawaz Sharif is not innocent in Panama leak issue, says a survey by Gallop Pakistan. The survey findings will be made public next week. Popularity of PML (N) is still high at 35 per cent while that of PTI is just 17 per cent. People think Nawaz is guilty in this matter. They say they will still vote for PML (N), says the survey. (Sindh Express)
SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/PUNJAB/KP
1. Federal government has finally decided to remove the Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ibad. Names of Mumtaz Bhutto and Senator Mushahid Ullah are being hotly discussed for filling the post. Consultations will be held with the new military leadership before making the appointment. The National Security institutions have welcomed the move to remove Dr. Ishratul Ibad. In 2015, Home Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan told Dr. Ishratul Ibad on telephone to resign within 48 hours but PPP supremo Asif Zardari persuaded Nawaz Sharif to roll back the decision. Ibad has been Governor of Sindh since 2nd December 2002. He has worked with four Presidents, eight Prime Ministers and six Chief Ministers. (Daily Intekhab)
2. Veteran Sindh nationalist leader Rasool Palijo said that Governor Ibad and Pak Sarzameen party head Mustafa Kamal will not confront each other. Both owe allegiance to one and the same source that is the Establishment. The Army will not allow them to fight, make charges and revelations against each other in public. Pakistan has never had any democratic phase ever since independence in 1947. He was critical of PPP saying that the PPP will do what Malik Riyaz asks them to do (Malik Riyaz is a builder). In Jinnah’s Pakistan Hindus and Muslims had equal rights. (Awami Awaz)
3. MQM-London’s Nadeem Nusrat has demanded immediate release of his party leaders, Professor Hassan Zafar and Kanwar Khalid Yunus. In a statement, he said that there is no restriction on PTI that has given call for Islamabad bandh. Banned organisations are openly violating laws and are engaged in their activities but MQM is not being allowed to do its non-violent political activities. MQM London’s Rabta committee member is not being given permission to hold press conference. (Awami Awaz)
4. Amjad Allah Khan, spokesman MQM- London said several prominent persons want to join his party but he cannot disclose their names at present. (Awami Awaz, Kawish)
5. MQM-London has intensified its activities in Hyderabad. Following crisis in MQM, Hyderabad city has become important for all three groups of MQM. Already MQM Pakistan and Pak Sarzameen Party have become active. MQM London has set up its first ever zonal committee in Hyderabad. A delegation led by Rabta committee leader, Momin Khan Momin has reached Hyderabad. They paid visit to the Fort ground and offered prayers to the martyred activists. Two police guards stood on vigil nearby. Later, Momin told the media that the MQM London is getting messages of solidarity from hundreds of youth from across Pakistan. (Sindh Express)
6. Sindh Chief Minister has taken note of writings on the wall appearing in parts of Karachi in support of Altaf Hussain. Sindh CM has directed the Sindh police chief to arrest persons behind these writings.
POK/G-B NEWS
1. Security is beefed up at the Skardu Airport after Interior Ministry alerted the concerned authorities of a possible terror attack. ASF, Police and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts were deployed at the Airport for fool proof security. (Daily K2)
2. Search operations against the foreign nationals hiding in Gilgit-Baltistan are taking place at a great pace. Non-locals residing in Gilgit-Baltistan illegally will be deported immediately. (Baad-e-Shimal)
3. Former Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Mehdi Shah said that the present Chief Minister Hafiz Hafizullah is against giving a constitutional status to Gilgit-Baltistan. He is not even allowing the Governor to use his clout to get constitutional status to Gilgit-Baltistan. He challenged that PML (N) will never make this province constitutionally approved. At the most, it will give some workable set up and will fool the people. PTI leaders Jafer Shah, Fathullah, Raja Jahanzeb and Neknam Karim, addressing a public meeting, said all the contracts for big development projects have been allotted to the relatives of the Chief Minister. Recruitments are not being made on merit basis. Problems of the province are multiplying due to wrong policies of the government. (Daily K2)
4. Talking to Gilgit-Baltistan Ministers, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider said that AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan have historical, ideological and geographical bonding and the relations will be revived by strengthening these areas. He added that quota for Gilgit-Baltistan students in higher education institutions in AJK will also be increased because Gilgit-Baltistan is a like a part of Azad Jammu Kashmir. (Baad-e-Shimal)