Pakistan Media

Pak Urdu Media Digest- Mar 8

Prominently covered report today was TTP plan to attack India in a big way after the Nato forces withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014. Another major story was the Corps Commanders’ Conference, which took stock of the Karachi situation. TTP spokesperson Ahsanullah Ahsan was quoted in the Jang as hinting that TTP was desirous of Army’s support, even if it is indirect, for talks with government supported Jirga.

IRAN PIPELINE 
1.Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul Qayyum said that the fuss on the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project was a political game. Neither the national treasury has any money to spend on such a huge project nor is there any provision n the budget. He added that this gas pipeline will serve only half the energy needs of the country and hence, Pakistan should immediately start work on the TAPI Project, without being worried about America’s anger. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

2. Daily Pak editorially advised the government not to be hasty on the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project for political mileage. The American Ambassador Richard Olson rightly said that the US has been supporting Pakistan for its energy needs and has no objections to the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project but as Iran had many UN restrictions, the US was against the project. Edit says that our leadership should understand that the entire scenario was changing with the withdrawal of allied forces from the region and even the American mind-set was changing as more realistic people were replacing the old guard. Edit says that hence, Pakistan should not displease the US as it has been a great hope for Pakistan over the years, despite all odds. Edit says that the government should consider expenses that would be incurred over such a project because even with half this amount, considerable amount of gas could be generated from the local Thar Coal Project which would suffice for the country’s needs. Edit says that instead of wasting so much money on the Iran-Pakistan Gas project, the government should concentrate on local resources that would not only save a lot of money for Pakistan but would also include a friend like America. Edit says that keeping good relations with Iran was important as it was a regional country and no one would object to that, but the haste being shown by the government at this juncture points to the actual intentions behind the project. (Daily Pak Edit)

AFGHANISTAN
1.Afghan officials have claimed that 26 senior Taliban leaders, freed from Afghanistan, have re-joined the group due to Pakistan’s ‘negligence’. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

INDIA
1.According to a British website report, TTP has declared that it will attack India on a large scale after the withdrawal of allied forces from Afghanistan. TTP leader Asmatullah Muawiyah, paying tribute to Afzal Guru and Ajmal Qasab, said that the blood of martyrs would give a new zeal to mujahideen against India. He added that TTP will fully concentrate on India with the departure of allied forces in order to free Kashmir from forced Indian control. Muawiyah claimed that Pakistan could not defeat India without the help of mujahideen and a fresh jihad with such new zeal will be free from the influence of Pakistan’s secret agency. The report in ‘Jang’ says Asmatullah, Chief Operational Commander of Punjabi Taliban, issued a statement from the jihadi website Jamia Hafza Urdu Forum, in which he paid tribute to Guru and Qasab. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Jang, Ausaf)

2. Karachi and Quetta bloodshed was the reaction to handing over Gwadar Port to China; in both places the same materials were used. Sources have said that an institution of national security based in Islamabad has linked incidents of Karachi to handing over the Gwadar Port to China and claims that in light of the investigation into information given by arrested people, analyses of situation and on the basis of intelligence sources, it has reached the conclusion that India and other friendly countries along with some Western countries have special interest in Balochistan and Sindh. These countries seem to be opposed to each other on various issues but are on the same page when it comes to chaos in Quetta and Karachi.  Sources states that chaos in Quetta was linked with Reko Diq and Gwadar project and the current wave of violence started on the day Pakistan handed over control of Gwadar Port to China. Though Pakistani hands were involved, they have been controlled by ‘a third hand’ and claims that institutions have got fresh evidence which directly link RAW, some western countries and a neighbour Muslim country behind it. The military leadership can use pressure on the government for some crucial decisions. (Ummat)
 
DEFENCE
 1. The 158th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the GHQ with COAS Gen. Kayani in chair discussed the situation in Karachi and Quetta, deployment of Army at polling stations and national security issues were discussed alongside Army’s professional matters. Satisfaction was expressed on the operational preparedness of the Army. Other issues discussed included recent incidents at the LoC, the situation at the Pak-Afghan border, cooperation with the US in the war against terrorism and increase in the Army’s capability at different levels. Kayani conveyed to the president Corps Commanders’ views. This report says that in its decision, the SC may assign security duties to the Army in Karachi. (Jang, Urdupoint, Kawish, Jasarat, Jinnah, Daily Intekhab, Khabrain, Ausaf, Ummat) 

2. COAS Gen. Kayani, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee Gen. Khalid Shamim Wynn and Asfandyar Wali Khan held separate meetings with President Zardari. In the meeting between Zardari and Asfandyar Wali Khan, matters relating to law and order in KP were discussed. (Urdupoint, Kawish)

3. An important meeting will be held between military officials and Election Commission today to discuss the deployment of Army during elections.  (Urdu Point, Daily Dharti)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
 1. Spokesperson of Pakistani Taliban, Ahsanullah Ahsan, talking to media, hinted that Taliban are excited about talks with government supported Jirga and were ready to soften their demands if the talks get Army support, even if it is indirect. (Jang)

2. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed said that for dealing with sectarian violence, it was necessary to start a nationwide movement for unity and all political and religious leaders should be taken along. He added that Ittehad-e-Ummat conferences and seminars should be organized across Pakistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

3.  Taliban have released a new video footage of the abducted Islamia College Peshawar Vice Chancellor Ajmal Khan. (Daily Pak)

4. JI Secretary General Liyaqat Baloch demanded a ban on NGOs working for women rights in Pakistan and stated that fake stories were made up about torture on women in Pakistan to get funds from anti-Islamic forces. Baloch said that such NGOs were defaming Pakistan and demanded a ban on them. (Jasarat)

5.  Saadi writes that there was a larger angle of love with Allah i.e. jihad and jihad against non-believers in which one spent his money, life and uses his tongue, which means by using one’s tongue one spreads the message of jihad. Using tongues means condemning non-believers and saying things which will hurt them and to instigate Muslims to kill them so the land will shrink for non-believers.  Saadi writes that today that segments of fidayeen were getting ready. Even in the UK and America people were raising slogans in favour of Afzal Guru and those who were mesmerized by India, were now abusing India.  Saadi adds jihad is spreading across the globe. (Al Qalam Weekly, 8-14 March) 

5.  TTP operational commander Qari Basit  haa been arrested by intelligence agencies in Nowshera. ( all dailies)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 
1.Former President Pervez Musharraf was thinking of returning to Pakistan on 17 March by a charter plane from Dubai to Karachi where he will address a function organized with the support of MQM. Musharraf was also mentally prepared to be arrested and has consulted with his legal advisors. (Jasarat)

2. According to Pir Pagaro, conditions do  not seem conducive for elections. He said no one could have imagined that the bad conditions in Sindh could spread out to Sindh’s interiors as well. He says that people would not be ready to either campaign or cast votes at this time. Pagaro said that the Muslim League factions may not be united before elections, but they will come closer after elections. He says that elections had a 50% chance of being carried out as scheduled. (Kawish)

3. In his column, Irfan Siddiqui says Gallup and other surveys could forecast the winning party in other countries but in Pakistan, the situation was different as the literacy rate was very low and the political situation changed very quickly. Hence, these surveys don’t provide a realistic picture in Pakistan. (Jang)

4. In his column, Nazir Naji avers that looking at the current situation, elections did not seem probable.   PPP has not yet begun its campaign, even though Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan are out campaigning.  PPP has not even distributed party tickets. He says that the tickets given by the opposition seem to have confused PPP even more. If PPP agrees on Rasool Palejo, PML-N will get confused and then, Zardari and Imran Khan will not need to take any action to create trouble for Nawaz Sharif as the caretaker PM will do the job for them. Naji comments that the name suggested by the opposition leader for caretaker PM was enough to suggest that elections will be postponed for a long time. (Roznama Duniya) 

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. According to sources, 3 international consortiums have submitted their proposals to WAPDA for providing consultancy services for construction design, construction supervision and contract administration for the Diamir Bhasha Dam. These consortia comprise 20 renowned international and local firms. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Urdupoint)

2.National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will employ secret officers in 8 countries to keep tabs on the overseas corrupt financial dealings of Pak leaders. These officers will work in the US, UK, Canada, Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Germany. Brig (Retd) Mussadiq Abbasi and Col. (Retd) Khurshid Alam have, so far, been finalized for these  posts. NAB will take approval for deployment of these officials from PM Ashraf. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Ummat) 
 
SINDH
 1. JI will stage protest on 10 March, Sunday in Karachi over the verdict of a Bangladesh court against JI Bangladesh activists and the death of JI activists in protests in Bangladesh. JI Chief Syed Munawar Hassan will lead the march. (Jasarat)

2. Editorials in Jasarat, Ummat, Daily Intekhab, and Khabrain quote the statements of Chief Justice of Supreme Court Iftekhar Muhammad Chaudhary delivered during a hearing on the Karachi chaos case and suo-moto action over the Abbas Town blast. CJP held the Sindh government and Rangers responsible for the deteriorated situation. Since America has plans to stay in the region even after the official withdrawal from Afghanistan, it is trying to spread riots and chaos in Pakistan. Edits say MQM also tried to exploit the situation but restrained itself due to suo-moto action taken by SC. Edits add that sensitive agencies had swung into action immediately after the calls went out for a three day strike in Karachi. As COAS Kayani and the CJP were present in the city, these agencies acted within two hours. And MQM rolled back its plan. SC and Army should be alert; only then Karachi would be protected from terrorism, more so since the involvement of foreign hands cannot be ruled out.  (Jasarat Edit, Ummat Edit, Daily Intekhab Edit, Khabrain Edit)

3. Writing about Lyari during PPP’s rule,  Saher Gul says that the current happenings in Lyari had never happened, even under dictators.   PPP did not realize that MQM had set up its units in Lyari with PML-Q’s help during Musharraf’s regime with the larger aim of replacing PPP in Lyari. She says that though MQM has not succeeded in its designs, PPP’s graph is definitely on a decline at Lyari. She says that PPP must realize that those killing Sindhis while PPP was in power could also kill PPP when they were out of power. She appeals to PPP to stop atrocities on Lyari. (Kawish)

4. Qadir Lashari quotes Police and intelligence reports to claim that there was no rivalry between religious groups that may be behind the blasts. If there is no enmity between religious groups, who would have dared to take so much explosive to Abbas Town. He says locals, Police and political parties all know the culprit but only time can tell which school of thought is right. (Kawish, 7 March) 

5 Additional IG CID has been given the additional charge of Sindh IG. Sources say this is temporary arrangement. Imran Yaqoob has been made DIG (East) Karachi in place of Alim Jaffery who has been shifted to the federal government on SC orders. (Kawish)

6. Non-teaching staff of the Education Department held a protest in Kherpur against non-payment of salaries for the last 16 months. (Jang)

7. On Thursday, for the first time in five years, the national anthem was sung in the Sindh Assembly. (Jasarat, Ummat)

BALOCHISTAN
1.BNP Nasirabad leaders Dr Niaz Ali and Ghulam Qadir Mengal said in a statement that during in the period of dictators and democracies as well, injustice was done with Balochs which continued even today. They said that in every era of PPP, injustice was done against the Baloch people and claimed that BNP will not hesitate to offer sacrifices for rights of the Baloch people. (Daily Intekhab)   

POK/ G-B NEWS
1. Deputy Speaker Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Jamil Ahmad said that anti-nation elements could be behind the Kashrote bomb blast in Gilgit. He urged people to come forward and foil such conspiracies (Baad-e-Shimal).

2. The project to install CCTV cameras in Gilgit has been held up due to budget constraints. (Baad-e-Shimal)

3. Baad-e-Shimal has welcomed the government’s decision to impose tax on non-custom paid vehicles. Such a tax would a great boon to Gilgit-Baltistan’s treasury. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit) 

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