AFGHANISTAN/UNITED STATES
1.The US has delivered a message to Pakistan according to which, the accused in the Imran Farooq case should not be deported to UK until the US shifted its logistics from Afghanistan. Washington thinks that in case of deportation now, violence may increase in Karachi and it would become difficult for the US to transport through Karachi its Afghan based forces and their machinery. Scotland Yard has almost finished its investigations and the news of the arrest of planners of Imran Farooq’s murder could come as breaking news anytime. (Ummat)
2. Nazir Naji says Karzai does not approve of the new check-posts and gates Pakistan has built at the Pak-Afghan border. Pakistan says it has done this to stop terrorists, whereas Afghanistan says construction at the Durand Line was against international laws. Naji writes that the ruling group in Afghanistan was anti-Pakistan and pro-India, but many other groups and lords in Afghanistan supported good relations with Pakistan. Naji writes that as the US is quitting Afghanistan, Iran has begun contacting its supporters in Afghanistan and infiltrating guerrilla war experts into Afghanistan. Even Russia is sharpening its contacts with the Northern Alliance and India is not lagging behind. Naji talks about the formation of TTP by 13 youth and his prophesy that this group is formed by the US against Pakistan. Naji writes that these Taliban slowly began attacking Pakistani installations and both the US and India were supporting them. These groups had state-of-the-art weapons, which the Pakistan Army does not have. These Taliban were receiving financial aid from Gulf countries. Naji warns that Pakistan could get affected by the situation in Afghanistan and consequently, its democratic set up might topple. (Roznama Duniya)
3. In his column, Munir Ahmed Baloch writes that despite the US’s warning, Pakistan handed over Gwadar Port’s control to China and made nuclear energy agreement with Iran. (Roznama Duniya).
4. John Kerry will meet Army chief Gen. Kayani in Brussels. (Jinnah)
5. JI’s manifesto includes salvation from American slavery and Indian supremacy, along with resolving energy and other crises. JI will establish ties with the international community on the basis of equality. JI chief Sayed Munawar Hassan said India is using dialogue to delay the resolution of the Kashmir issue. (Jasarat, Jang)
DEFENCE
1. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Khalid Shamim Wynne called upon the US Deputy Defense Secretary for Asia Pacific Dr. Peter Lewy; both discussed issues pertaining to regional security and peace and the Afghanistan issue. (Jasarat)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Fidayeen of the Fazlullah Group will target important contestants in Punjab before elections said sources. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
2. Punjab Interim Interior Minister has said that 115 people of banned terrorist outfits have been put behind bars for 3 months. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
3. Investigation has been started in connection with the attack on MQM office in Karachi on the basis of confessions by arrested TTP members. (Ummat)
PAK SCENE – MUSHARRAF
1. Musharraf is expected to leave for Dubai or Jeddah within the next 48 hours. The caretaker government has given a green signal to Musharraf to leave the country in view of threats against him. An important member of the Saudi government is in touch with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, caretaker PM Khoso and other top personalities. The Interior Ministry has made all arrangements for his departure to visit his ailing mother in Dubai and arrangements have also been made for a special plane from the Saudi government to land at the Islamabad Airport. (Roznama Duniya)
2. A requisition has been filed in the Lahore High Court for the extension of CJP Chaudhary Iftekhar Mohammad Chaudhary’s term. It has been stated that former president Musharraf had suspended Chaudhary for a year and 10 months illegally and had kept him under arrest; hence, this period should now be added to his service period. (Roznama Duniya, Jinnah)
3. Musharraf’s lawyers have indicated that Musharraf wanted to go out of Pakistan to Dubai as his mother was sick. (Ummat)
4. Musharraf seems to have been disappointed by the role of the Army and even his own party to save him from the current crisis. Musharraf has started thinking that he can only save himself politically and has therefore decided to contact MQM and Tahir ul Qadri’s Tehrik-e-Minajul Quran. APML’s Maulana Ahtaram Thanvi will soon call on MQM and Qadri’s leaders who will be given dollars in lieu of their protests on behalf of Musharraf. MQM and overseas volunteers from Qadri’s party will agitate in front of foreign consulate offices abroad. Meanwhile, MQM and Qadri’s sources say they are not aware of any such developments. (Awami Awaz)
5. Iqbal Malah says that a lot is being said about how the real powers in Pakistan will not allow any harm to be done to Musharraf. He is of the opinion that if the establishment did try to do something for Musharraf, it will earn flak at home and abroad as well. Some observers think that the Musharraf case could reach the point where the entire election process could come to a standstill and hence, it is time that all parties and even the ECP remain alert so that nothing untoward happens. (Awami Awaz)
6. During a Channel 5 programme, Gen. (Retd) Hamid Gul said that the caretaker government reserved the right to take action against Musharraf but it was not taking action against him. (Khabrain)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. Election specialist Mohammad Saleh Zafir says contest which used to be between PML-N and PPP in Punjab for many decades has now changed into a contest between PML-N and PTI. It means either of the two things- one PML-N’s smart strategy has saved its votes from getting divided; two PTI has ousted PPP and has emerged as PML-N’s lone opposition in Punjab. (Jang)
2. In his analysis, Ansar Abbasi says that PTI would be able to get 20 to 120 seats, depending on its campaign. He said that if PML-Q supports Musharraf, it will lose its 4-5 seats. (Jang)
3. National Press Club governing body condemned the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for submitting fake information in the SC about the use of secret funds. It has decided to implead in this case and demand action against former Secretary of Information Taimoor Azmat. (Khabrain)
4. Ali Hassan says that relations between civil and Army leadership seem to be entering a critical phase now. He says that the civilian administration, in its enthusiasm to corner Musharraf, should ensure that they do not indulge in anti-military propaganda because any tensions between the Army and the civilian leadership at this stage when the Army is also taking part in the election process could lead to more lack of trust. (Awami Awaz)
5. Daily Pak says that the judiciary has publicized the list given by the federal Information and Broadcasting Ministry pertaining to the use of secret funds. After reviewing the list, any prudent person could understand that the Ministry has tried to complicate the issue and as expected, journalists who had been paid lakhs also agitated against it. Edit says that the list was meant to save many from the clutches of law. Judiciary should ask for a detailed breakdown of every expense made from the secret funds. (Daily Pak Edit)
6. Jasarat and Ummat refers to the list of beneficiaries of secret funds released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and say this list was not correct as many names included in the list were not beneficiaries of clandestine fund. Both dailies say the ministry has presented an incorrect list to protect black sheep of media. (Jasarat Edit, Ummat Edit)
7. JI Secretary General Liyaqat Baloch said that the secular lobby was afraid of the success of Islamic movements and is trying to hijack the desire for change in the people by wearing various masks. . (Jasarat
8. In his article, Navid Masood Hashmi criticises the ECP call to political parties to not seek votes in the name of religion. If Pakistan could be created in the name of Islam, why votes couldn’t be asked in the name of Islam, he asks. Religious leaders like Maulana Mufti Mahmood, Maulana Ghulam Ghaus Hazarvi, Maulana Shah Ahmed Noorani, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, and Maulana Fazlur Rahman have taken part in elections and though they were in minority in the Parliament, due to their presence, secularists have not been able to remove articles from Constitution which were based on Islam. Hashmi writes that the nation is in search of a leader who will establish Islamic rule through a revolution in Pakistan. (Al Qalam Weekly)
ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. Pakistan continues to face severe power cuts and the shortfall of 5000 MWs of electricity remains unchanged. Urban areas are facing 12 to 16 hours power cuts and interiors are facing 18 to 20 hours power cuts. (Kawish)
2. 2 independent power units have closed down due to payment issues, which in turn, have caused a shortage of 700 MW of electricity. (Jang)
3. Despite Lahore High Court’s orders, load-shedding continued for 16 to 18 hours in many towns in Punjab. (Urdupoint)
4. Water in the Tarbela Dam has reduced to 13 feet. It makes power generation a victim. (Daily Pak)
PUNJAB
1. 4.According to reliable sources, there are indications of security threats to jails. IG Jails in Punjab Miyan Farooq Nazir has ordered strict vigil of dangerous criminals in these jails who have been involved in terrorist, communal and extremist activities. Security has been strengthened in and outside of jails. (Jinnah)
SINDH
1. Conditions in Karachi seem to be a matter of growing concern for the federal government and consequently, the Interior Minister flew to Karachi and directed the law enforcement machinery to check the drift and get a grip over the situation. The Minister has admitted that conditions in Karachi are not in a good shape and there are strong apprehensions of attacks by militants during elections. (Kawish)
2. Sindh government has issued a notification making Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui the new commissioner of Karachi while Hashim Raja Zaidi has been made the administrator, KMC. (Kawish)
3. MQM has started collection of voters ID cards by force in areas where it has a strong base to rig elections. UK leadership has instructed sectors and units to use all methods to win elections. (Ummat)
4. Suhail Sangi writes that elections in Sindh did not seem to be changing as all candidates were feudal lords pitted against each other. PPP has not been able to take off in Sindh and regional parties are controlled by feudals who will not allow nationalists to become mainstream players. (Daily Intekhab)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1. PML-N Gilgit-Baltistan chief Hafiz ur Rahman said that an alliance with PPP would be political suicide for his party. (Baad-e-Shimal)
2. As per Zardari’s reconciliation policy, Gilgit-Baltistan CM Mehdi Shah stitched an alliance with JUI, PML-Q, MQM, and Islami Tehrik despite having a clear majority in the Assembly. He is now trying to take PML-N in to his fold in order to help the cause of G-B for peace and development. . It is necessary that PML-N understands the current situation and cooperate with Shah. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
3. PML-Q member of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Mirza Hussain said that the people had sent him to the assembly and that it was on the wish of the same people that he refused PPP’s invitation to join its ranks. (Bang-e-Sahar)
