CHINA
1. In a communication to the AJK government, the Defence Ministry has expressed concern over the security of Chinese companies in the context of threats to kidnap Chinese workers engaged in different projects. It called for strict monitoring of activities of terrorist organizations in AJK. (Daily Dharti)
2.Senate Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas Resources has demanded that the government get minerals extracted from Saindak mines tested by an international laboratory to know the correct proportion of copper and gold. It is suspected that the Chinese company engaged in mining is not revealing the true picture of gold and copper in Saindak mines. Senator Mustafa Kamal was upset when the committee was informed by the top officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Resources that the Saindak agreement with China had been extended for another 5 years. The Chinese company had invested only USD 2.3 crore but has taken control of Saindak. (Jang)
AFGHANISTAN
1. Two Pakistani nationals were killed in NATO bombing in an Afghan area near Chaghi. The Afghan police claimed they have killed 31 Taliban and arrested 21 in an operation in the Farah district. (Ummat)
INDIA
In his article, Suhail Azmi claims that Balbir Singh and Yogendra Singh, who had taken part in the demolition of Babri Mosque in 1992, have converted to Islam. both were earlier members of Shiv Sena but now they were spreading the message of Islam and constructing mosques. Azmi claims that due to their message, many Hindus had been converted. (Al Qalam Weekly, 15 March to 21 March)
UNITED STATES
1. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed said that the high-command of Taliban were not a part of the dialogue with the US. He added that the US and India were behind the anarchy in Karachi and Balochistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
DEFENCE
1. Secret agencies have got a breakthrough on the assassination of top Navy official Lt. Commander Azeem Haider who was attacked on 28th February, just 3 days before the start of naval exercises featuring in all fifteen nations. Sensitive agencies have claimed on the basis of evidence that no religious organization was involved in this attack; evidence indicates the role of professional target killers. Since the attack was carried out prior to the naval exercises, foreign hand could not be ruled out. It took support of a ‘friendly network’ in Karachi in order to show to the world that Pakistan was an unstable country. (Ummat)
2. Two tugs, manufactured in the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, have been handed over to the Pakistan Navy. (Jang)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1.Intelligence agencies claim that a clash is going on between Ansarul Islam group and TTP. T Ansarul group carried out 3 suicide attacks on TTP centres and killed 12 Taliban. 1000 families migrated due to clashes. (Khabrain)
2.Initial probe into the suicide attack on Peshawar Judicial Complex shows that two terrorists in white clothes entered the complex; one was shot by the Police while the other managed to reach the court and blew himself up. (Urdupoint)
3.Chief of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has claimed that 125 suicide bombers were prepared to carry out terrorism during elections. (Ummat)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. According to a private TV channel, President Zardari has decided to hold the next parliament election and provincial assembly elections, on 11th May. (Bang-e-Sahar)
2. Sources said PTI had decided to make an alliance with Tehrik-e-Tahafuz-e-Pakistan. (Khabrain)
3. Musharraf has prepared his own security plan and has requested the Army to provide him fool-proof security. Musharraf would get the protocol and security due to a former President upon his return to Pakistan. He had informed the government that he will come back only if Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad was made the interim PM. (Baad-e-Shimal, Nawa-i-Waqt, Khabrain, and Kawish)
4. Sources said that PPP President Bilawal Bhutto will contest elections from Lyari in Karachi. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
5. There were 27.70 lakh minority voters in Pakistan, including 800 Jews. Majority of the minorities are Hindus. (Baad-e-Shimal, Nawa-i-Waqt, Urdupoint)
6. In his column, Nazir Naji has criticised the delay in naming the caretaker PM, who according to him, should have a 3-4 month long window to hold free and fair elections. (Roznama Duniya)
ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. Government has approved Rs. 24 billion for the Neelum-Jhelum project. It will support generate cheap electricity. (Daily Pak)
2. Water supply has been stopped to Mohabat wah and Dalond canals in Kherpur for the last couple of months. As a result, wheat and other crops have been destroyed. (Jang)
3. Pakistan suffered a loss of USD 10.17 billion in foreign trade. (Bang-e-Sahar)
KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAH (NWFP/FATA)
1. The first proper road, also the longest, being constructed in South Waziristan is in its final stage. This road is being built with aid from UAE and is named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zaidun Nahyan. (Jang)
SINDH
1.MQM has put forward its demands like not giving any ministry to Sunni Tehrik and MQM be given 50% of ministries in caretaker set up, in exchange for its support to appoint Justice Zahid Qurban Alvi as the caretaker CM. (Awami Awaz)
2. MQM activists are indulging in extortion of money in various parts of Karachi in the name of ‘neighbourhood security’. (Jasarat)
3. Sindh government has recruited over 10000 extra people in various departments over the last 3 months. They have been given appointment letters, but they have not been able to join their duties as these posts are not vacant. (Jasarat, Jang)
4. PPP has decided on seat adjustment and election alliance with MAM, ANP and PML-Q in Sindh. (Jang)
5. The leader of Sindh United Party Dr Dudo Mehri said that they will not allow the sale of Sindh’s islands. (Ummat)
6. Jang editorially voiced concern that Sindh local government minister has beaten up his ministry’s Secretary with help of armed guards on his refusal to sign appointment letters for 150 staff. Edit urges that politicians not interfere in the work of bureaucracy. (Jang Edit)
BALOCHISTAN
1. Baloch nationalist leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal has decided to return to Pakistan in a week and participate in the next general elections. He has written a letter to the Supreme Court. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1. Maulana Khalil of Moti Masjid, Gilgit, stated that agencies had full information about militant hideouts but did not take action. He added that any religious leader promoting communal hatred should be arrested. (Bang-e-Sahar)
2. Chaudhary Munir Ahmad has been appointed as the acting Election Commissioner in AJK. (Daily Dharti)
3. JKLF (Gilgit-Baltistan) Zonal Chief Organizer Ghulam Mujtaba said that the Karachi Agreement was null and void and a representative government consisting of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan should be formed, without which the unity of the province and its freedom was not possible. (Bang-e-Sahar)
3. Gilgit-Baltistan CM Mehdi Shah said that Water and Power employees would be soon be given permanent employment. He has already made 4500 employees of the Power department permanent. (Bang-e-Sahar, Baad-e-Shimal)
4.Daily Dharti points out that Poonch Medical College was started at Rawalakot without taking the clearance of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. (Daily Dharti Edit)
