2. Pakistan imported 2 crore kg of tea in the current year from India which works out to just 15 percent of the total tea imports estimated at 12 crore kg.  Almost 70 per cent of Pakistan’s demand is met by imports from Kenya. But this year, due to 9% short fall in Kenya’s tea production, Pakistan had to turn to India to make the shortfall in tea imports. For long term deals with Pakistan, Indian traders are offering better quality tea at prices lower than Kenya’s (Daily Pak)

3. Baloch leader Ataullah Mengal has wondered why India is blamed for whatever is happening in Afghanistan. Speaking in a TV interview, he brushed aside Imran Khan Phenomenon, saying that that nothing could happen without support from the Army and ISI. (Awami Awaz, 26 December)

DEFENCE
4. Ummat editorial is a comment on PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi contention that Pakistan’s atomic assets needed protection though there is no direct threat because of the wrong policies of the rulers. The daily says Army leadership has always kept national interests above every thing else unlike political leadership which works more towards personal aggrandisement    and this is the reason why people’s confidence in the civilian leadership is falling. Those who clamour for deep cuts in defence budget should know that our enemy countries like India, America and Israel have been increasing their defence systems and Pakistan therefore has to keep itself ready to face any challenge to its security. The daily advises the government not to accept any suggestions that make no sense in matters of national interest. (Ummat Edit)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
5. Muhammad Mateen Khalid claims in Al Qalam Weekly that Qadiyanis who are dominating Pakistani journalism especially English media are busy in demolishing the ideological foundation of Pakistan and Islam. He also claims that Qadiyanis entered the field of journalism at the behest of Mirza Masroor, fifth leader of the Qadiyani Movement, who, according to him, told a congregation held in 2003 in UK that Qadiyani interests could be protected through media. Khalid writes that ‘Daily Express Tribune’ is ahead in supporting vision of Qadiyanis. (Al Qalam Weekly, 23-29 December)

6. A terrorist and former chief of an unnamed banned organization Dr. Arshad and his associates were arrested. He was involved in the kidnapping and killing of Major Afaq, three members of a secret agency and one activist of Minhajul Quran. (Jinnah)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
7. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif accorded green signal for working out a ceasefire with the establishment and for this, Senator Sajid Mir carried a crucial message from Nawaz Sharif to the Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef. (Jinnah)

8. President Zardari’s speech on the occasion of Benazir’s death anniversary will be in three-parts – first part will be devoted to Benazir, her father and their services to the nation; the second part will send the message that PPP is not against the army; the third and concluding part will be a re-affirmation of President Zardari’s commitment that the government is bound by the constitution. (Ibrat)

9. A patch up has been worked out between the government and the establishment on the condition of that President Zardari would go, according to reliable sources, which also hint that right now there is no problem for the PPP and that the pact would be enforced after Senate elections in March. Though the establishment never had a soft corner for the PPP, it is forced to go slow on Zardari as there is no alternative to PPP at present. While PML-Q has no adequate political strength, PML-N is perceived to be supporting militants; more over it is not having support in Sindh, KP and Balochistan. ANP and MQM are primarily regional players – one in KP and the other in Sindh. In so far Imran Khan is concerned, he needs time to consolidate his position.  This way PPP has a sort of TINA factor  in its favour even as the political arithmetic makes clear that only a  coalition can be in the saddle. (Abdul Wahab Munshi in Awami Awaz, 26 December)

10. Pakistan government needs Rs One trillion every year to run its machinery that includes President House and Prime Minister’s office. In 2008 when Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani took over as Premier, the daily expenditure on PM secretariat was 6 lakh. Today it is ballooned to Rs 15 lakhs a day. Three years ago, the Cabinet Division was spending Rs.40 lakhs daily; now its daily bill is Rs.80 lakhs. During 2009-10 the Cabinet Division’s allowance was 7 crore rupees which has now increased to Rs. 20 crore. (Urdupoint)

11. On the prompting of President Zardari, the federal government is paying more attention to promotions of Grade 21 and 20 officers in order to create a loyal officer group in higher echelons of administration. All these officers have ten years service ahead of them. Cabinet Secretary Nargis Sethi is playing a crucial role in this plan.  (Jinnah)

12. Qudratullah Chaudhry, a political analyst sounds doubtful despite the PM’s assurance that the National Assembly will complete its term. He bases his scepticism on the fact that till date none of the democratic governments have completed a full term. He writes that only Musharraf’s government completed its term but then it is not civilian in core. He further writes that the present PPP government, besides facing the Memogate, is facing pressure from three major political parties PTI, JI and PML-N. He states that the year 2012 will be crucial. (Daily Pak)

13. Pakistan Jamhoori Party Chief Nawabzadah Mansur Khan has decided to merge his part with the PTI. (Jang)

14. Amin Fahim says he cannot even think of leaving PPP and joining PTI. (Ibrat)

15. Arif Bahar writes in Jasarat that the departure of Javed Hashmi’s leaving of PML-N has weakened the party’s image as he was an honest man who was a  from PML-N is a big blow to the party since he always stood by Sharif brothers. (Jasarat)

16. Nazir Naji writes in Jang that while Imran Khan rallies are getting good media coverage, the rallies held by Nawaz Sharif and religious parties are not getting similar media treatment though their rallies are no less impressive. He also slips in the caveat that crowd strength alone should not be the barometer to forecast electoral swings which is a different ball game altogether he opines that MQM was behind the success of Imran Khan’s Karachi rally.

17. Jang editorial is on PM Gilani’s U turn with regard to problems with the COAS and ISI Chief. Edit states that considering the shaky situation it was important to keep harmony between different institutions, and the government should concentrate its energy in resolving the problems of the nation. Gilani claimed that government has fulfilled 80% of its promises whereas the fact is the government has failed to give any relief to the people. If PPP wants support from the people it should do something practical and avoid confrontation with the Army. (Jang Edit)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
18. Federal Secretary of Railways Arif Azim said that the Ministry has decided to privatize four more routes and trains after privatizing Business Express and Shalimar Express.  He said a tender will be issued in this regard in the coming ten days. He said that the Railways will take a Rs. 6 billion loan to repair 96 locomotives. He informed that they were in contact with 4 foreign companies to purchase 150 locomotives. (Jasarat)

19. Daily Dharti editorially voiced concern that the government decision to increase petroleum prices from the New Year would only add to the miseries of people. The government should revisit the proposal before its implementation. Instead of taking about price hike to be in line with international price movement, the government will do well to subsidise prices using tax payer money. (Daily Dharti Edit)

SINDH
20. A motorcycle-borne militant shot down a 60-year old person heading for early morning prayers at Kabza Mor, Karachi near Madni Masjid. Police sources say deceased was from Swat and had no connections with any religious groups. (Ibrat)

BALOCHISTAN
21. PTI has decided to contact disgruntled Baloch leaders including local politicians and Sardars. A committee of senior leaders has been constituted to initiate the dialogue. The committee will soon visit Baluchistan. PTI leaders have contacted former PML-N Balochistan chairman, Sardar Yaqoob Nasir, and invited him to join PTI. Also contacted was Salim Bugti’s son Ali Bugti. PTI is also contacting former PM Mir Zafarullah Jamali. (Daily Pak)

22. PML-Q Balochistan Assembly Member Ameer Muqam has said formation of a new political party for the rights of Pakhtuns was underway. He added that ANP’s political career was over and Imran Khan’s magic would not stand long. (Ummat)

POK/G-B NEWS
23. According to intelligence and law-enforcement agencies, 50% of terrorist incidents in GB were not sectarian, but were the result of personal animosity. (Baad-e-Shimal)

24. Deputy President of Gilgit Baltistan Graduates Alliance said innocent people were being killed in Gilgit under the nose of security institutions. (Ausaf, 26 December)

25. A religious teacher Maulvi Munir Ahmed was found murdered in Bagh district, AJK. This is second murder in as many days in Bagh. (Ausaf, 26 December)

26. Baad-e-Shimal editorial is concerned that unabated load shedding has brought people to the street in protest and that the protests have turned violent. Agitators have burnt down vehicles, beat up a tehsildar and forced the closure of power station in Ponyal. The government should take effective steps to address people’s grievance. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

27. Another edit in Baad-e-Shimal has condemned the continuing target killings in Gilgit and said that unless peace is established, the area cannot progress. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)