CHINA
1. There has been 70% increase in bilateral trade between China and Pakistan as China is looking for more investment opportunities in Pakistan’s power and other sectors. (Daily Pak)
2. During the previous government, the financial losses in trade with China remained over USD 19 billion. Pakistan imported goods worth USD 25.70 billion from China whereas could export only USD 6.32 billion. (Urdupoint)
INDIA
1. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed said that peace could not be restored to South Asia unless the Kashmir issue is resolved. He added that authorities should take serious steps to free Pakistani rivers from forced Indian occupation. (Bang-e-Sahar, Khabrain)
UNITED STATES
1. According to private TV report, the American consulate in Lahore has established an ‘Election Cell’ to monitor and promote peaceful candidates during election. Political Consular, Political Advisor to the Consular and Consular General were carrying out secret meetings with politicians and were in direct contact with stronger candidates. Similar cells have also been established by the US and UK’s diplomatic offices in Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and other cities. (Jasarat)
DEFENCE
1. Interior Ministry has warned that terrorists could target foreign election observers in Pakistan. It has asked such delegates to remain within limits of federal and provincial capitals. The Interior Ministry has also limited members of foreign NGOs to federal and provincial capitals. These people will be stopped from going in other areas. (Bang-e-Sahar, Jasarat, Jang)
2.Federal Interior Ministry has established a cell which will monitor the election situation and will work out plans for security. This cell will work 24 hours and will monitor threats from terrorists; it will also take steps to provide full-proof security. (Jasarat)
3. Secret agencies have declared 33 cities and 8 FATA areas as sensitive. It is feared that 5 terrorist organisations and 4 countries have conspired to attack Election Commission staff and security forces. (Roznama Duniya)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1.Department of Dawat (message or propaganda) of Al Rahmat Trust organized a tour of South and North Punjab between 16th and 25th March, in which the administrator of the Dawat Department Maulana Muhammad Ashfaq and deputy administrator Bhai Muhammad Huzefa took part. They toured Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Saiwal, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujarat, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan and other divisions and stressed upon including more people to spread the message of the organization. They spoke about the targets of the ‘Ushr Campaign’ (a kind of donation in which every person is asked to donate a tenth of his earning in order to purify his wealth) and the pledge to spread the message of jihad. The ‘Ushr Campaign’ was formulated by Azhar Masood and was carried out under the supervision of the Department of Dawat.. (Al Qalam Weekly, 29 March to 4 April)
2. An active member of PPP of Shah Latif Town’s Abdullah Goth reportedly fired on an Imam of ASWJ’s mosque and injured 2 other activists of ASWJ. (Ummat)
3.A meeting of education experts, teachers’ organizations, lawyers and thinkers was organized under the chairmanship of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, on the serious changes being made to the syllabus, the removal of Islamic content and an attempt to make it completely English medium. It was held that these changes were an open violation of the Constitution and the theory of Pakistan. A decision was taken to run a movement against the new education policy and syllabus changes. A committee was formed with JuD leader Saifullah Khalid as the head. Experts pointed out serious changes in the syllabus and said that many more were still to come to light. They said that until now, they had only been able to review changes in standard 10 syllabus, but gross changes had been made from class 1 to 10, which would require studying them in detail. They said that these changes started ever since the government began giving students free books for which loans are taken from foreign countries, and preparation of syllabus has been entrusted to private publishers. (Jinnah)
4.Jasarat edit refers to the attack on a school by terrorists in Baldia Town in which the principal was killed and 8 people were injured. Principal belonged to ANP and that it wasn’t clear if this attack was a result of extortion. Edit refers to the steps taken so far to stop target killings and bloodshed in Karachi and writes that the situation was unchanged. (Jasarat Edit)
PAK SCENE-MUSHARRAF
1. Musharraf will reach his Islamabad farm house today from Karachi. Fool-proof security has been provided to him along with CCTV cameras everywhere. Musharraf has said that he has not requested any support from the Army or the government and will contest elections from 4 constituencies on his own. According to him, was need for a third party to curb the powers of PPP and PML-N. (Baad-e-Shimal, Bang-e-Sahar, Khabrain)
2. Lal Masjid Foundation has announced demonstrations on arrival of Musharraf in Islamabad. (Ausaf)
3. Anti-terrorism court has acquitted 8 persons facing charges of suicide attack on Musharraf. The court said that the military court had already given its verdict in the matter and according to law, no case could be re-tried. (Kawish)
4. Former PM Gilani said that they had pardoned Musharraf. He also said that Bilawal will return soon, before April 4. (Kawish)
5. The Mohair party, MQM is considering a place for Musharraf in its hierarchy as a pay off towards old favours, says Ummat quoting sources which project Delhi born former dictator as an alternative to the absentee landlord, Altaf Hussain. JuD chief Hafiz Saeed will be leading a movement against changing the Islamic content of school syllabus, says another report.
6.According to MQM sources, it has been learnt that Musharraf was the strongest candidate for future MQM leadership and that efforts were underway to bring him as alternate for Altaf Hussain as he had support from some rather strong circles within MQM. The Governor of Sindh Ishrat-ul-Ibad has been active in this regard. If former President failed in this plan, he will have to spend his remaining life in seclusion. (Ummat)
7. In his column, Hamid Mir criticizes Musharraf for coming back to contest elections. No one seems to mind it. He says that whatever Musharraf did against the country and its people, he alone was not solely responsible as his close associates supported him and later shamelessly joined PML-N, PTI and PPP. Mir writes that now when Musharraf had returned, it was a testing time for the Army, the judiciary and the media with regards to how they will treat him. (Jang)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1.Mohammad Saleh Zafir writes that many people were happy as the PPP government completed its term and they consider it as a continuity of the democratic process. These people are not aware of the fact that extremist elements were waiting for the time when political workers begin their election campaign as they too will begin their work to derail the election process. (Jang)
2. PML-N is now looking to JI to block PTI’s electoral prospects. (Kawish)
3. PPP Sindh leader Mohammad Baksh Lashari, PML-Q labour wing President Ali Shah and thousands of their associates have announced joining APML. (Ausaf, Khabrain)
4. JI Secretary General Liyaqat Baloch said they will offer 40% of their tickets to young people below the age of 40. Baloch claimed that they will bring in revolution like Egypt. Deputy Secretary of JI Farid Ahmed Paracha alleged that a particular class of bureaucrats was conspiring against free and fair elections. (Jasarat)
5. MQM leader Altaf Hussain and former interior minister Rehman Malik talked on phone regarding the prevailing conditions in the country. (Khabrain)
6. According to sources, a crucial figure (no name given) met with Pir Pagaro, Hamid Nasir Chettha and Sheikh Rashid; it was said that after elections, all Muslim Leagues would unite except for PML-N. He said that many leaders of PML-N will join this alliance post -elections. (Khabrain)
7. Daily Pak says people expect the ECP and the interim government would ensure free and fair elections without coming under any sort of pressure. Edit says that many experts were concerned that ECP has no consolidated system to carry out the election process transparently and hence, it was necessary that even political parties show their honesty and loyalty to the nation. Edit writes that another big responsibility on both the ECP and the interim government was to ensure peace in Balochistan so that the election process could be completed democratically. (Daily Pak Edit)
8. Pir Pagaro said that he asked Musharraf not to return to Pakistan as his future here was very dark. He also said he had moved the Sindh High Court challenging the Sindh caretaker set up. Pagaro said that for the first time it appeared as if PPP did not enjoy its historic position and was working hard to get candidates for the elections. Pagaro said this was also due to the fact that there was no place for old workers in the party. He claimed that there may be poll rigging in Sindh and money and muscle power will be used during elections. He said that PPP wanted to win elections at any cost and therefore, will want to reduce campaigning to a battleground. He said that he continued to have connections with Musharraf and is likely to meet him. (Awami Awaz)
ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. According to FBR, in the current financial year, the revenue deficit will reach Rs. 768 billion as in the 9 months of 2012-13, it had failed to achieve target of Rs. 575 billion. (Jasarat)
KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAH (NWFP/FATA)
1. Federal Investigation Agency has provided the Karachi Police with a list of 60 extortionists including activists of MQM, gang war participants, TTP, Sunni Tehrik and ANP activists. The FIA claims that if these extortionists are arrested, extortion will end in Karachi. This report claims that work will start on this list from today. (Ummat)
2. JI chief of Gharbi district (Karachi) Muhammad Ishaq Khan expressed concern over the ban on carrying licensed weapons. He referred to the worsening law and order situation in Karachi and said that in such a situation, a ban on carrying legal weapons for self-defence was a barbaric act. (Jasarat)
3. 5 mortar shells were dropped in North Waziristan’s Ghulam Muhammad Khan area. However, no casualty was reported. (Ummat)
BALOCHISTAN
1. Baloch nationalists had filed their nomination papers; these leaders were contesting elections after a long time. Pakhtunkhwa Awami Mili Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai is also trying to sweep through the Pakhtoon belt in Balochistan. He is contesting from Quetta’s number 259 constituency. The report goes on to say that Akhtar Mengal filed his nomination papers to contest from constituency PC 35 Khuzdar; other Mengals and Rafiq Bazenjo also filed their nominations papers yesterday. According to Balochistan Election Commission, more than 1000 nominations papers have been filed for provincial seats; 500 of these forms have been scrutinized. Other parties including PPP, PTI, Pakhtunkhwa Awami Mili Party, PML-N, National Party, BNP and Awami Jamhoori Watan Party, besides several other Baloch nationalists also filed their nomination papers. About 150 nominations have also been received from women and minority candidates. (Kawish)
2. Jang editorial expressed happiness that Election Commission is making efforts to call nationalist parties in Balochistan to join the elections and that the nationalist parties have also given indications to join the process. (Jang Edit)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1.Speaker of Gilgit Assembly Wazir Beg said that if given a chance, he would disclose corruption of all ministers in the assembly. He alleged that jobs were being sold and that the Mehdi Shah government which formed the Shigar and Kharmang districts illegally was not interested in establishing Public Service Commission and Services Tribunal. (Bang-e-Sahar, Baad-e-Shimal)
2. IG Police Gilgit-Baltistan Capt. (Retd.) Osman Zakaria paid homage to Inspector Attaullah who was killed by militants; he said that an external hand could not be ruled out. (Baad-e-Shimal)
3.Hundreds of PPP activists from tehsil Yasin have joined PML-N. (Bang-e-Sahar)
4. Due to lack of funds, 700 school construction projects have been stopped. In the 2005 earthquake, 2800 schools were damaged but construction of only 1100 schools has been completed. 700 schools were still waiting for funds. (Daily Dharti)
5. Baad-e-Shimal says that corruption of the Mehdi Shah government was now being exposed slowly though so far it was only symbolic; it says that very soon, the people would know the damage this government has brought to Gilgit-Baltistan. Edit says that recently, a religious and spiritual leader Agha Rahat Hussein Al-Husseini claimed that a minister had requested a list of his nearest people to give them employment without any test or interview. Edit says that even Speaker Wazir Beg had expressed concern over corruption in the region. Edit writes that the situation was going out of control as now such crooks were trying to purchase religious leaders; if such anarchy was not stopped, the outcome would be really disastrous. (Bang-e-Sahar Edit)
6. Baad-e-Shimal criticizes the government and the WASA for drinking water problems in Gilgit-Baltistan despite having many water resources. Edit says that it has been a trend that unless people come out on streets protesting violently, the government will not do anything to redress their problems. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
7. Another edit in Baad-e-Shimal welcomes the suggestion given by Non Custom Paid (NCP) vehicle owners to utilize the money received by the Gilgit-Baltistan government as tax and registration of NCP vehicles on development in the region. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
