INDIA
1..Indian Navy will get the Akula-II class ‘Nerpa’ nuclear attack submarine from Russia by end of this month on a 10-year lease. The submarine is capable of remaining underwater for months. The Akula-II class submarines are equipped with 28 nuclear-capable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 kilometres. (Hizb Media, 17  December)

2. Addressing the Defence of Pakistan conference AML leader Sheikh Rashid had said that under the guidance of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, his party would remove all robbers from power. He said that India had refused to give him a visa but Sheikh Muhammad Yaqub said that they would go to India without any visa after the winning the war. (Ummat)

UNITED STATES
1. Central Jamiat-e-Ahle-Hadith Pakistan Chief and Senator Sajid Mir said that the government should get all other bases under American control vacated. He added that some leaders of the government tried to lower the importance of the Memo scandal. (Ummat)

2. Nawa-i-Waqt EDIT urges leaders to be wary of the trap laid by the troika of US-Israel-India and unite for the defence of Pakistan. It is clear now that USA is not Pakistan’s friend and that the troika of USA-Israel and India are out to destroy Pakistan and to get control over its nuclear installations. Edit writes that it is settled that after NATO forces quit Afghanistan, the Indian army will take over and USA and India will have easy access to the Pak-Afghan border to attack Pakistani check posts and carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Edit alleges that Afghan president Karzai is not only providing logistic support to India and USA but is helping them to send terrorists to Pakistan under the guise of Taliban to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan. Edit writes that it is a matter of extreme concern that when the troika of USA-India-Israel is preparing against Pakistan, instead of uniting in defence of Pakistan, the country’s civil and military leaderships are locking horns over the Memogate scandal. The daily opines that the Memogate is a US trap for Pakistan using American Qadiyani, Mansoor Ijaz as a pawn. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

DEFENCE
1. ISI former chief Lt. Gen. Retd. Hamid Gul has said that there is no rift between the civil government and Pakistan forces. (Jinnah)

2. If ISI chief Pasha visited Saudi Arabia, UAE and China to take these countries into confidence about removing the President from power, the question arises whether his action falls under Article 6 of the constitution and therefore a punishable offence, asks Dastgir Bhati in his column. (Kawish, 18 December)

3. Mahmood Shyam writes that the judiciary had got a historic opportunity to put to rest the continuing row between the parliament and Army. The writer states that it should be decided whether Osama Bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan was illegal or legal, and wonders whose inefficiency was to blame if US troops were able to intrude on Pakistani soil: the Army of the Government. (Ibrat, 18 December)

4. Ausaf editorially has taken notice of the meeting between PM Gilani and COAS Gen Kayani amidst rumours that confrontations are brewing between the Army and political leadership. It hopes that there would be a positive fall out of the meeting. It notes that while the army wants the Memogate issue to be thoroughly investigated by the Supreme Court whereas government insists that a committee formed by Parliament should deal with the issue. It holds the view ultimately on the issue of Memogate,, the judiciary will take its own course. Edit writes that if the government has not done anything wrong then it need not worry. (Ausaf Edit, 18 December)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. 3000 volunteers from JuD monitored the security arrangements during the Difa-e-Pakistan Conference at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. (Jasarat)

2. Under the banner of Difa-e-Pakistan, religious parties were able to gather more crowds at Minar-e-Pakistan than Imran Khan’s rally in Lahore. Reportedly, more than 3 lakh people attended the rally though PML-N and JUI (F) were not present. (Ummat, Nawa-i-Waqt)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1.As a result of widespread rumours of early polls, political parties have started gearing up to consolidate their strength. Several PML-Q members have left the party to join PML-N and Imran Khan’s PTI. (Awami Awaz, 18 December)

2. Sources have said that PTI Chief Imran Khan refused a ceasefire with PML-N as advised by Shah Mehmood Qureshi. (Ummat)

3. Aijaz Mungi writes that if Zardari resigned under pressure, he would lose his immunity and several cases registered against him could be re-opened. (Awami Awaz, 18 December)

4. Razaq Khati’s article on Memogate scandal says PPP is using its Sindh card very intelligently threatening that if the government is ousted unconstitutionally, Sindh would review its decision to continue to remain a part of Pakistan. (Ibrat)

5. Imdad Soomro’s article states that it is time a final decision is taken as to what Pakistan needs: democracy or dictatorial autocracy. (Ibrat, 18 December)

6. Khabrain editorial says:  the Memo issue had to be brought before the SC as every resolution that was passed in parliament had failed. (Khabrain edit)

7. Daily Pak editorial refers to the Prime Minister’s address wherein he says that there is no clash between the government, judiciary and military. This is what the PM says but the military had demanded an enquiry in the Memogate case. As for PM’s claim that elections will be held on the due date, Edit believes that every other day the PM repeated this, but there were many who did not trust his claim. Edit says the Gilani rule is marked by inefficiency in government performance, unemployment, and inflation. It adds if the government seriously wants to complete its term then it will have to do something about the falling national economy. (Daily Pak Edit)

8.Daily Intekhab and Ummat editorially say that after General James Jones’ confession over the Memogate scandal, it had become clear that Ijaz was part of an American conspiracy to create misunderstanding between the Army and the administration. Surprisingly, a Pakistani in Canada Shafqatullah had become a party in the Memogate scandal case after alleging that some of his family members in the Pakistan Army had a threat from the current government. It was evident that anti-democratic groups were not ready to accept defeat in Pakistan and though PM Gilani had been saying that the Army and Judiciary were with the democracy the differences were quite clear. Edits add that these issues had come up considering governments’ unbending policy this time and hence the autocrats were once again trying to create rift between departments. The situation demanded that everyone should stop thinking about new elections and sit together in the national interests to defy all such conspiracies. (Daily Intekhab Edit, Ummat Edit)

9.Nawa-i-Waqt has called for attention to the plight of Pakistani refugees and detainees in Bangladesh, who have suffered for their love for Pakistan over the last 40 years. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1.Qurban Baloch writes that almost daily, 5000 to 10,000 cusecs of water was stolen from Tarbela and Chashma. In view of regular water theft in this belt, IRSA has convened a meeting of WAPDA, Tarbela and Chashma officials today. According to sources, this water theft has been taking place since November 15th and since WAPDA is in charge of this range, WAPDA officials will be questioned in today’s meeting. WAPDA is also being directed to set up a team to measure water currents at Chashma, Taunsa and at other given streams so that theft of water can be traced.
(Kawish)

2.Jasarat edit says that with the onset of winter, the gas crisis has started and due to the shortage of gas people are unable to run their stoves. (Jasarat Edit)

3. Tanzeem-e-Mashaikh Azam took out a rally from Laxmi Chowk to Lahore Press Club in protest against corruption, unemployment, injustice and load shedding. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Daily Pak

SINDH
1. Ali Hassan Chandio, chief of Sindh National Movement Group said that Sindhis were being meted out raw treatment from day one. He said that Sindhis’ very survival was now at stake as outsiders were being accommodated in Sindh and the federal government was usurping Sindh’s resources. He said his group was now committed to a struggle in pursuit of Sindh’s interests. (Awami Awaz)

2. Sind Taraqi Pasand’s Qadir Magsi said that PPP was not true to Sindhis and that they had been betrayed. (Awami Awaz)

3. Four people died from cold in Faridabad; they were flood victims who had been sleeping in the open grounds. (Ibrat)

4. Karachi police have prepared a list of 205 persons with connections to political and religious groups for their involvement in extortion matters. A copy of the list has been sent to all police stations. (Awami Awaz, 18 December)

Following the news of explosives being smuggled into Karachi, the federal Home Minister has asked the Sindh police chief to tighten security and step up patrolling. (Kawish, 18 December)

Qadir Magsi writes that Sindhis were being kept confused and wondered how long it would continue. He writes that nothing surprising was happening in Sindh and those acquainted with history know that revolutions succeed only when obstacles are contained and met with boldly. He writes that nationalist groups struggling for Sindh’s interests had their own leadership and party manifesto. He writes that if activists in large numbers accept any individual as their leader and also take the people into confidence, other parties that exist only on paper could not succeed. (Awami Awaz, 18 December)

Awami Awaz editorially voiced concern over reports that about 400 Hindu families have fled from Sindh and settled in India. (Awami Awaz Edit)

POK NEWS
1.  Daily Dharti editorial says the administration has given the contract to a Pakistani firm for the construction of the AJK University’s Faculty of Agriculture Campus near Rawalakot. The firm has brought all manpower from Pakistan including helpers and labourers. Since unemployment in AJK was high, the administration should bind the contracting companies to employ local manpower first and only in the case of unavailability of qualified technicians, the companies could bring them from other areas. (Daily Dharti Edit)

2. Transporters in AJK have refused to follow the fare fixed by the administration which is a challenge to the government writ. (Ausaf, 18 December)

G-B NEWS
1. Jail Department, Department of Industries and Mining, Department of Fisheries and Livestock and Department of Social Development have become dysfunctional in Gilgit- Baltistan; they are overstaffed and are therefore a burden on the budget of Gilgit Baltistan. (Ausaf, 18 December)

2. After Gilgit got the provincial set up, the Jail Department was given a distinct set up but due to a budget shortfall, no reforms could be made. The work on the new jail building is going on very slowly and due to jail barracks getting over crowed, prisoners are becoming mentally and physically sick. There are no medical facilities available to the prisoners. (Baad-e-Shimal)

3. Baad-e-Shimal editorially voiced concern that people affected by flood in GB are still awaiting government aid. A survey was done to determine number of affectees but nepotism and the pressure from religious and political parties resulted in aid provided by many NGOs not reaching people in distress and need. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)