INDIA
1. Al Qalam Weekly in a strongly worded editorial on the attack on Sanaullah Khan in a Jammu jail says India should be taught a lesson for the war it had started against Pakistan. (Al Qalam Weekly Edit, 10 May to 16 May)

2. Ummat editorially commented on a report by the US Department of Defence that Pakistan has borrowed military weapons, aircraft, helicopters, warships and other war apparatus worth $ 11 billion from China. If this report had also included how many weapons India has bought from the US, the UK, Israel and Russia and how many factories India has established to produce weapons, then it would have been justifiable. (Ummat Edit)

3. Nawa-i-Waqt is happy that post-Sarbajit Singh and Sanaullah killings Pakistan remained calm and did not react jingoistically in order to avoid further damage to bilateral ties. Now the Indian Foreign Minister has expressed a desire to resolve all the matters through talks. Pakistan too holds the same view so that peace could be restored. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
 
DEFENCE
1.Security agencies have warned of terrorist attacks during Juma prayers tomorrow. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
Commenting on campaign trends,  Saadi in his column says  politicians  are releasing videos exposing each other; such videos should not be viewed as seeing them is a sin. He notes that women and men activist of PTI were going door-to-door in fashionable dresses and says unless the Islamic system was imposed, nothing would change in Pakistan. (Al Qalam Weekly, 10 May to 16 May)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. Tahirul Qadri has said that by allowing corrupt politicians to participate in elections, the government has failed to protect the constitution. He further said that leaders of several parties are defaulters of tax of billions. (Daily Intekhab)

2. In all 69,729 polling stations have been set up. Of them, 15,681, that is 22.49% have been declared extremely sensitive and 15,214 have been declared sensitive by the Election Commission. (Jang)

3. According to the Election Commission, there are 8.61 crore voters in Pakistan and half of them are youth; 27 lakh voters are non-Muslims. (Jasarat)

4. Pakistan Awami Tehrik led by Tahir ul Qadri has planned to demonstrate in various cities on Election Day to stop people from casting their votes. This could affect the law and order situation. According to experts, it would be a challenge for the caretaker government. Qadri’s attitude was not only against the interests of peace and stability of Pakistan, but also violated the Constitution. (Ummat)

5. Several commentaries have appeared on Imran Khan’s fall at a poll rally and its aftermath. Munir Ahmed Baloch criticised that Punjab police had given preferential treatment to Imran Khan’s security.  Both he and Irfan Siddiqui note that the fall brought Imran’s rivals together to pray for his wellbeing. Hamid Mir adds that whoever may win or lose the election, Taliban and Qadri have been defeated. Yar Mohammad Shah says Imran Khan’s fall has resulted in a lull in campaigning and all TV channels are now talking about this matter only. (Awami Awaz, (Roznama Duniya and Jang)

6. In a Chanel-5 programme, PPP leader Shahela Raza said that PML-N and PTI had a soft corner for terrorists. She said that Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with Osama Bin Laden 9 times whereas Imran Khan considered terrorists to be Muslims gone astray. Raza claimed that PML-N has given 12 tickets to Sipah-e-Sahaba. (Khabrain)

7. Imdad Qazi says by helping liberal and secular forces come to power in Pakistan, extremist elements will be defeated and ties with countries like Iran, China and India will be strengthened. This will help end the era of distrust with India going back 60 years. (Awami Awaz)

8. Ausaf edit on former Interior Minister Rahman Malik’s allegations against the Sharif brothers says these are no more than election propaganda. . (Ausaf Edit, 8 May)

9. According to a survey by the US-based Pew Research Center, 83% of Pakistanis dislike President Asif Ali Zardari and the popularity of COAS Ashfaque Kayani has come down to 43% from  54% earlier. The survey was conducted in March. It says that PML-N’s Nawaz Sharif has gone up in popularity whereas Imran Khan came down by 10%. The report says that 49% of Pakistanis consider Taliban as  the biggest threat while 50% view India as the biggest threat.. (Bang-e-Sahar)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. Nawaz Sharif says if he comes in power, he will reconstitute IRSA and he will see to it that water distribution is done as per the spirit of the 1991 pact. The statement released from Nawaz Sharif’s media cell also says water thefts from canals will be checked and he is also quoted saying that no dam will come up without consensus from all provinces. (Kawish)

2. As per a Petroleum Ministry official, only 2 days of oil reserves are left with Power Plants. The largest oil supplier of the country, PSO is facing problems in payment due to a financial crisis. (Urdupoint)

3. Nawa-i-Waqt  editorial has lashed at the government for over 20 hours of load shedding across Pakistan in this scorching heat. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

SINDH
1. According to Bacha Khan Center, ANP-Sindh has withdrawn all its candidates from Karachi, Hyderabad and interior Sindh in favour of PPP.  (Jang, Urdupoint, Roznama Duniya)

2.In all the 25 districts of KP, local candidates have asked women not to come out to vote on 11th May. (Jinnah)

3. Vice Chairman of Mohajir Qaumi Movement Shamshad Khan Ghouri said that they were constantly attacked and were not allowed to start their election campaign. He alleged that officials for elections were appointed as per the desire of terrorists. Ghouri said that if the Army is not deployed at polling stations, they will not accept the election results. (Ummat)

4. MQM has planned to use Police officials in its area of influence for rigging; they were allegedly called to 9-0 and were briefed. There are approximately 8000 such police personnel who will provide support to MQM on 11th May which could create security problems. MQM activists have phoned or personally met neutral polling officials and asked them to excuse themselves from serving on Election Day. According to sources, sensitive institutions submitted a report to top officials in which it was claimed that MQM has a list of police personnel recruited by MQM in the past, and which polling booths they will serve on 11 May. (Ummat)

5. Claims of fool-proof security for polling stations have been exposed as unknown people took away poll material provided by the Election Commission from a school in Nazimabad (Karachi), which was to be used as a polling booth. A private TV channel has shown footage of this incident, which shows that no security personnel had been deployed at this school.(Ummat)

BALOCHISTAN
1.Chairman of Baloch National Movement, Khalil Baloch has called for a boycott of elections. He accused the nationalist section of treachery and said that these so called leaders and parliamentarians are responsible for a bloody Balochistan. (Daily Intekhab)

2.Spokesperson of the Central Organizing Committee of the Baloch Republican Party, Sher Mohammad Bugti also endorsed the call for poll boycott saying that operations in Balochistan are aimed to eliminate Balochis. (Daily Intekhab)

3. Caretaker CM of Balochistan has predicted an alliance of parties will form the government. (Daily Intekhab)

4. Various Baloch tribes in NA-252 have announced support to JI candidate and JI (Karachi) Chief Muhammad Hussain Mehnati. (Jasarat)

5. Including Quetta, all over Pakistan, voters’ turnout is likely to be good in view of police and army’s coordination in making fool proof security arrangements. In Balochistan it has been ordered to shoot persons who cause problem in the election campaign (Roznama Duniya)

6. Out of 3679 polling station in Balochistan, the Election Commission has declared only 679 as normal. (Urdupoint)

POK/ G-B NEWS
1. Former Advisor of Health Imran Nadeem has alleged that the President of AJK was the main mastermind behind the uproar against the GB Package. He added that the recent protest and strike was called at the behest of the establishment but people were well aware about their interests. (Baad-e-Shimal)

2. Senior Minister Jaffar Khan of Gilgit-Baltistan has rejected the demand for revoking the Self-Empowerment Order by Tanzeem Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamat and other groups. He said that SEO could not be cancelled though amendments were possible. Jaffar added that those who were conspiring against the new set up were working on the agenda to send GB back into slavery. He claimed that the SEO would get constitutional status if PPP gets power for a second term in Pakistan. (Bang-e-Sahar)

3. Obtaining employment in Gilgit-Baltistan has become a big problem due to corruption. (Bang-e-Sahar)

4. Mirpur University of Science and Technology has issued examination schedule from 11th May and as a result, the students under the Mohajirin quota will lose their right to vote. The students have appealed to the University Chancellor and AJK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqub Khan to change the exam schedule. (Daily Dharti)