Pakistan Media

Pak Urdu Media Digest- Mar 15

Stars are looking bright for Nawaz Sharif with the Saudi Arabia playing the peace maker between him and the army chief, says Ummat. The US is going to tap the Shiite religious leaders in order to torpedo the pipeline project with Iran, says Jang, while Ibrat sees the venture as an attempt to promote Iran to reduce Saudi influence in the region.

SAUDI ARABIA
1.Saudi Arabia was playing a role for reconciliation between the establishment and PML-N.   COAS Gen. Kayani’s visit to Saudi Arabia soon after Nawaz Sharif’s visit was a part of this reconciliation mechanism. Musharraf has announced his return to Pakistan after a guarantee from PML-N that it will not create disturbances. If Saudi Arabia’s role gets completed, PML-N issues with the Army will be settled. As a result, Nawaz Sharif’s possibility of winning elections is ensured. According to political analysts, the foreign office establishment knows that there was no person other than Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan who could come facilitate negotiations between the US and Taliban and who could also win the elections.  In this scenario, even the US wants a strong government in Pakistan which will ensure its safe exit from Afghanistan;   PPP was not in position to deliver anything since its image has dented badly. (Ummat)

IRAN PIPELINE 
1. US was active against the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. In the near future, it has planned to meet at least 8 religious leaders, majority of whom are Shiites and pro-American-Pakistan origin politicians. These leaders are trying to muster support for American interests with the help of their political colleagues. The US has been opposing the pipeline project from the beginning and has been promising alternative sources, but practically, it has not taken any steps towards fulfilling its promises. (Jinnah)

2.Vengus writes that Iran is being promoted in South Asia as the world wants to reduce Saudi influence in the region. He writes that it is also possible that the Establishment may want to expose PPP’s vulnerability to the US with the help of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and may be using this pipeline to cut PPP down to size in Balochistan. The writer claims that the India factor is very important to the gas pipeline because the Establishment knows that India is expanding investments in Afghanistan and has a good relationship with Iran. The writer warns that projects like the pipeline that are made without consulting the Baloch people will lead to more strife. (Ibrat)

INDIA
 1. During the question hour in the Senate (Upper House), Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that there were no reports of India searching for oil and gas in Sir Creek. The region was under surveillance of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and the Pakistan Navy.  (Baad-e-Shimal, Nawa-i-Waqt)

2. Addressing the final convention of the Kashmir Committee, JUI-F Chief and Kashmir Committee Chairman Maulana Fazlur Rahman said that India could not be conferred with the MFN status without the approval of the Kashmir Committee. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
 
UNITED STATES
1.Military institutions have termed US-proposed compound at the Karachi airport a national security threat. The command-centre, which will be established in this proposed compound, will have direct links with the recently established command-centre of US Special Forces in Bagram. Sources said Ministry of Defence will not allow the construction of the building. (Ummat)

DEFENCE
1.President Zardari, PM Ashraf and COAS Gen Kayani discussed the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and felt it is in the national interest. (Jang, Urdupoint)

2. Punjab Police Counter Terrorism Department’s secret report has revealed that despite Punjab government’s claim of a crackdown on terrorists and sectarian groups, LeJ and Sipah-e-Sahaba are freely working in Punjab. From February 16th to 28th, both groups had carried out 47 hits against Shia groups. (Jang)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
 1. In his column, Maulana Azhar Masood writes that those who were proud of their nation, race, language, community, physical shape and colour were ignorant. Masood writes that the poison of nationalism and linguism was being spread amongst Muslims. Masood writes that Punjabis, Pashtun, Baloch, and Saraiki were seeking their racial links whereas Arabs and Persians were going back to pre-Islamic history. Masood writes that ethnicity and nationalism were a conspiracy against jihad as they were an effort to douse off the light spread by Islam. Masood writes that it was the responsibility of the students and educated people to come ahead to counter this ‘fitna’. Masood writes that Al Murabitun will soon begin a ‘writing competition’ across Pakistan; he prays that such competitions will produce a new generation of ‘writers’ and advises that topic of the first such competition be ‘Asbiyat Ka Wabal’ (nuisance of bigotry). Masood asks students to get ready for it and states that students of religion as well as contemporary students will participate in it. (Al Murabitun)

2. In his column, Hani writes that those who die in the way of Allah were alive. He says that brave-hearts were ready to avenge the blood of martyrs. Hani salutes the soul of martyrs of Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir, Burma and India and writes that Afzal Guru was a great Mujahid. He says that soon ‘well armed’ fidayeen mujahideen will strike in a way that it will be felt like attack by Bin Qasim and the army of Ghaznavi.  He writes that the war was continuing against infidels and asks the people of faith to get ready for martyrdom as nymphs were waiting for them in paradise. Hani writes that time was passing and the US was defeated in Afghanistan. (Al Murabitun)

3. Al Qalam weekly writes that the federation of Madaris are continuing their peaceful protest against target killings of students of Madaris and asks the government to listen to their demands. It adds that despite social and humanitarian work carried out  by them Madaris students had suffered biases and negative propaganda.. (Al Qalam Weekly, 15 March to 21 March)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 
 1. In his column, Irfan Siddiqui says on Zardari’s priority list first was to set up his government, second was to stop restoration of judges, third was to keep PML-N alliance out, fourth was to please the US and the Army and to oust Musharraf, and fifth was to declare Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif ineligible by the SC and keep them out of politics. He succeeded in forming his government and ousting Musharraf, but Nawaz Sharif’s long march restored judges. His government did not give any benefits to the public, except completing 5 years of democratic government. (Jang)

2. In his column, Nazir Naji writes that the government and opposition did not appear to be reaching any consensus caretaker PM’s name. The names of Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid and Justice (Retd) Shakirullah Jan, given by the opposition, were not acceptable to PPP since Justice Nasir had worked for PML-N and Justice Shakirullah had dismissed Yusuf Gilani from the NA. At 83, Rasool Bux Palejo was not the senior most. Likewise, the names given by PPP will not be acceptable to PML-N. Hence, finally the matter will go to the Election Commission. Naji writes that initially, the Election Commission was considered free but with the passing of time, Fakhruddin has learnt to wait for instructions to take any step. Naji concludes that finally, the candidates will be selected by the staff working under the Election Commission. Naji comments that the elections carried out by Musharraf were better than the upcoming election. (Roznama Duniya) 

3. PPP has formed a high-level committee under the leadership of former PM Yusuf Gilani for seat adjustment and alliance with other political parties. (Jang)

4. At his meeting with a delegation of European Ambassadors, PM Ashraf asked an Ambassador of an important country for Schengen visa for him and his family. (Urdupoint)

5. Hina Rabbani Khar will contest elections from Muzafargarh on PPP ticket. (Daily Dharti)

6. Dr. Asim Hussain has been appointed as the President’s physician. The service of Advisor to Finance Department Rana Asad Amin has been extended by one year. (Jang, Urdupoint)

7. A private TV channel has claimed that Musharraf has booked his seat on a plane to Karachi and will reach on 24th March. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

8. Asif Jelani writes that the caretaker set up has failed even before it started. He states that no other country, including India, has a similar set up. Jelani writes that Pakistan does not seem to be learning. (Kawish)

9. In his column, Irshad Mehmood writes that PPP did not do any remarkable job during its 5 year term. But Zardari should be congratulated that he avoided a major clash with any party. Zardari handed over the internal security and policymaking in this regard and relations with foreign countries to the Army. Mehmood says that law and order situation and the economy remained at their worst during PPP government. He concludes that it was certain that no party will win a majority and that will result in a hung parliament. (Roznama Duniya)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. Sindh government has signed a contract with Engro Coal for Thar Coal Energy Project by which 4 KMW of electricity will be produced for the next fifty years. The project was estimated at USD 1.30 billion and will save USD 50 billion for Pakistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
2. Fisherfolk Forum started its rally from Jamshero on 1st March demanding protection of the seas as well as the Indus Delta. They demanded that there should be no more dams and canals built on the Indus. (Awami Awaz)

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAH (NWFP/FATA)
 1. Peshawar High Court Circuit Judge (Abbottabad) has reinstated 17 suspended lady health workers who had worked for Dr. Shakeel Afridi’s Vaccination Programme. The two member bench of Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Seth Vaqar delivered the judgement. According to two different writ petitions filed by advocate Sajid Ali A’waan and Sultan Ahmed Jamshed, these workers acted on the orders of their superiors on the vaccination scheme, and they did not know that Dr. Shakeel Afridi was working for interests of someone else aiding a false vaccination programme in order to spy on Osama Bin Laden. (Daily Hazara News) 

SINDH
1.  7 citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan, residing in Karachi were killed in different terrorism related  incidents in Karachi. (Baad-e-Shimal)
2. Sindh Police will be provided with 30,000 bullet proof jackets and 1500 mobile vans by the Sindh government. (Jang)
3. Sindh government has made the services of over 1 lakh ad-hoc and contract employees permanent. (Jang, Urdupoint)

BALOCHISTAN
1.Nawa-i-Waqt criticizes the federal government for restoring the Raeesani government. It recalls that the Raeesani government was suspended over the Hazara massacre and questions the rationale of restoring the very same government and expecting a turnaround in law and order situation. It notes that the situation was no better under the Governor’s Rule. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)  

POK/ G-B NEWS
1. Pakistan Agricultural Department and Storage Corporation (PASCO) has warned banning of wheat supply to AJK unless it paid  dues of Rs. 4 billion by 30th March. (Daily Dharti)
2.  Gilgit-Baltistan government has received Rs.2 billion from the federal government against its demand for 5 billion to overcome its financial crisis. (Baad-e-Shimal)
3. Due to negligence of the Public Works Department, many projects in Astor like new roads,  street lights and , Eidgah Complex  had been left incomplete. (Baad-e-Shimal)
4. Chief Engineer Baltistan informed this paper (Baad-e-Shimal) that the Ministry of Water and Electricity had decided to construct 5 small dams and experts had been employed for preparing the feasibility reports.  Feasibility studies of Gilgit, Skardu, Ghanche, Astor, and Ghizer sites will be done in phases as the Project Management and Policy Implementation Unit has been given a priority to prepare the report for the Zahoq Dam. (Baad-e-Shimal)

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