2. Ausaf has commented on an article written by Chinese ambassador to Pakistan. The envoy had acknowledged contribution of Pakistan in progress of China in the last 50 years, and described the Karakorum Highway, HMC and Gwadar Port as milestones in the progress of both countries. The daily says that for many decades Pakistan continued its relations with America but the people of Pakistan have not appreciated it and their hearts have been with China. Therefore Pakistan should abandon the American sinking ship and increase ties with China. (Ausaf Edit, 11 January)

UNITED STATES
1. Al Qalam Weekly’s editorial says once again Pakistan and America have reportedly reached an agreement on drone attacks on Pakistan’s tribal areas. Already six low drone flights have also been reported from North Waziristan. Government should give an explanation if it has signed any new agreement with America; this is essential because a resolution passed by National Assembly in the wake of NATO attack on a border post said all decisions about ties with America would be taken with the approval of Parliament.  (Al Qalam Weekly, 6-12 January)

2. Nawa-i-Waqt editorial on renewed drone attacks, says Pakistan government is strangely keeping quiet on the issue. If these fresh attacks are part of some agreement then the agreement is anti-Pakistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

ARMY- GOVT STAND OFFF
1. JI leader Munawar Hasan said in a TV discussion that if the government took any action against the military, JI would come out on street. (Jinnah, Khabrain)

2. Former Army chief Gen (Retd.) Aslam Beg said that the President and PM both would resign and a national government would be formed as PPP was preparing for political suicide. (Ummat)

3. On a TV show, Shahid Masood, senior journalist, said: Some of members of government had spoken of some army generals being with them on their side a few days ago. These army generals said that if the Army chief and ISI chief are removed, these generals will support the government.  . (Kawish)

4. Foreign embassies are keenly following the brewing uncertainty in Pakistani politics and asked their staff to keep an eye on the developing situation. (Jasarat)

5. Several defence experts, commentators and anchors have come out in support of the Army. Most defence commentators are retired Army personnel. Akram Sehgal, one such commentator, termed PM’s statement against the army chief as a ‘nonsensical statement’.  Another commentator, Masood Talat said that the PM’s charges are very serious and any disrespect to Army institutions will lead to serious repercussions. He said if the Army Chief has indulged in any illegality by sending his reply directly to the SC, why didn’t the PM take any immediate action? He called pm’s actions and statements childish. Kamran’s program (on TV) went on for hours criticising government and the PM. (Awami Awaz)

6. Sikandar Haliyo states that the situation in the country is now heading for a climax and one of options left with the Army is to directly take over the charge but keeping in view the global focus on Pakistan’s conditions, the Army might not exercise such an option. The other option according to the writer is that the Army might try to take advantage of the current confrontation between the government and judiciary and might help create conditions for what is called ‘judicial martial law’ in Pakistan.  The writer states that this is the only valid option available to the Army now. According to the writer, it is only under this option that parties like PML (N) and others can go along with Army and ultimately the stalemate can end with an announcement for early polls. (Kawish)

7.  Irfan Siddiqui in his column discusses the confrontation between PPP, the Army and the judiciary and says at this serious juncture it was the responsibility of the government’s allies to take a decision on whether to support PPP in its wrongs or stand up for national interests. (Jang)

8. Jasarat edit refers to the current volatile situation in Pakistan which has been ignited by the removal of the Defence Secretary and PM’s statements against COAS Kayani and ISI chief Shuja Pasha; it says the government seems to have decided to clash with all institutions. In such a situation, if a wrong step is taken by any institution it will affect people badly. (Jasarat Edit)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Jinnah edit on Jamaud bomb attack and new drone strike attacks in Miranshah says these actions constitute a process to sabotage ongoing talks with the Taliban. (Jinnah Edit)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. APML Chief Pervez Musharraf had announced that he will contest elections from Karachi also. (Ummat)

2. Many political and religious leaders have held immediate and fair elections necessary to avoid political crisis. Lawyers group, JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan, Qari Zawar Bahadur, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Wasim Akhtar, Hamid Nasir Chetha, Sunni Ittehad Council-Pakistan’s chairman, Sahibzada Fazal Karim, and Shafqat Mehmood, among others have demanded that the government should dissolve assemblies and hold fresh elections. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

3. Jinnah’s edit on SC slamming Premier in the NRO case says PM Gilani has not taken cognizance of corruption scandals that have been rocking his government. Gilani’s son was found guilty in the Hajj scandal case, and rental power project case has cast doubt on PM himself.  The government must act upon the NRO verdict and exercise the Option 6 of consulting with people and conducting elections for a new mandate. (Jinnah Edit)

4. Arif Bahar writes in Jasarat that for the first time, people in Pakistan were looking towards a third option, which is available in the form of PTI and Imran Khan. (Jasarat)

5. Nawa-i-Waqt says editorially: even though leaders of the coalition parties have urged to avoid clashes with other pillars of the Government, the ruling party has decided to clash with judiciary and the military. The Government does not seem inclined to implement the court order in the NRO case; hence it is left with the option to quit and hold fresh elections. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

6. Edit in Daily Intekhab, Jang, and Ummat on the NRO verdict talk about the judicial option and wonder whether the decision to take action against PM Gilani and other office bearers will be left at the discretion of the public. Due to this confusion, undemocratic forces have got a chance to explore their plans. Since elections are close by people should be given the right to send their representatives to Parliament to foil all conspiracies against democracy. National leadership will have to work with great sensibility to safeguard the interests of the nation. (Daily Intekhab Edit, Jang Edit, Ummat Edit)

7. Daily Pak upholds the Supreme Court Bench’s decision in the NRO case, saying: Supreme Court has left the doors open and sensible members of the government and coalition parties should take advantage of the opportunity like writing a letter to the Swiss Bank. (Daily Pak Edit)

8. Ausaf’s edit on NRO verdict notes that the Supreme Court said PM Gilani was not an honest man. According to Article 62, a dishonest Member of Parliament can be disqualified but the court has not invoked this provision. Instead the court has shown patience even though the patience of the people has ended. The days of government also seem to be numbered. (Ausaf Edit, 11 January)

9. EDIT refers to a crucial meeting of government’s coalition parties that was chaired by PM Gilani and President Zardari to make an upcoming policy post-SC verdict on NRO. Edit pressurizes for acting upon the reconciliation policy to avoid political dramas and statements on each other. Edit is further critical on PM Gilani’s interview to Chinese Television when the Pakistan Army Chief was present in China. Edit opposes the PM’s statement. Edit argues that according to legal experts, the SC demanded a direct response from the Army and ISI chiefs, and thus they were right to reply directly to the SC. (Khabrain Edit)

10. EDIT writes that there is concern for the grim political situation in the country and therefore has words of advice for politicians to be very cautious with what they speak in public and see to it that system of the day is not affected anyway adversely. (Kawish Edit)

PUBLIC ISSUES
1. FIA has arrested forensic expert Abdul Ghafar for hiding clues of corruption and scandals hidden. (Jinnah)

2. Education Department has issued instruction to cancel the registration of private schools that do not have basis education facilities like playgrounds, and laboratories.  (Nawa-i-Waqt)

SINDH
1. Unidentified militants have shot dead a Sindh High Court advocate near Gurumandir, Jamshed Quarter, Karachi. He used to represent Sippah Sabha in the Anti-Terror Court. The police believe it could be an act of target killing. (Kawish)

2. Sindh government, working on SC orders given three months ago, has now started setting up committees to remove no –go areas in Karachi. (Awami Awaz)

3. PPP activists have taken out rallies across Sindh in support of President Zardari and PM Gilani. (Ibrat)

4. Mumtaz Bhutto, chairman, Sindh National Front, was warmly felicitated during his visits to Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas in connection his ‘Sindhi Jago, Sindh Bachao’ his movement. During his address Mumtaz Bhutto said the days of Zardari’s government are numbered. He said Zardari will be committing a blunder if he tries to put people versus the Army and judiciary to retain his power. (Ibrat)

POK NEWS
1. JUI (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had said that Pakistanis and Kashmiris would celebrate the solidarity day on 5th February with traditional enthusiasm. (Daily Dharti)

2. AJK Supreme Court has accepted the petition of former Chief Justice Manzoor Gilani and AJK Bar Council. The petition was against the resolution of the AJK cabinet that termed Lord Nazir as a disliked personality. (Ausaf, 11 January)

3. People Youth Organization (PYO), a faction of the PPP, has decided to agitate against PPP-AJK’s leadership for making ‘meritless’ appointments in government offices. (Daily Dharti)

4. Daily Dharti editorial criticises the PPP-AJK government for expanding its cabinet every now and then instead of working for the welfare of the starving people. It says increase in cabinet strength would directly affect the public purse and hence it was the responsibility of the government that it should not put any further burden on the people. (Daily Dharti Edit)

G-B NEWS
1. Malik Mushtaque said that Gilgit Baltistan was an integral part of the Jammu and Kashmir State and not a province of Pakistan. He added that Pakistan never had any consistency in its Kashmir policies and all ill intentions to occupy GB would be met with force. (Daily Dharti)

2. Sufi Muhammad Yasin, leader of the Kashmir Freedom Movement, Wycombe (UK) condemns the proposal of the CM of Gilgit Baltistan Mehdi Shah to make GB a province of Pakistan. He added that if GB is made a province, it will worsen the situation and the Kashmir cause will be affected. Saying that the dreams of PPP will not materialize, he said Kashmir liberation movement has always been damaged under PPP rule. Sufi said that PPP government’s plan to give India MFN status is also an effort to push back the liberation movement.  (Ausaf, 11 January)

3. Deputy President of JI (UK) Dr Khalid Mahmood said that a conspiracy was hatched to make GB a province after terming India MFN and hence they have to keep an eye on such conspiracies. He said that efforts are being made to divide Kashmir. While speaking with a delegation led by Maulana Bostan Qadri chief of All Party Kashmir Rabita Committee he further said that there seem to be threats from people in power in AJK and hence expatriate leaders will have to take stances. (Ausaf, 11 January)

4. The Nationalist Student leader, Aslam Inquilabi has opposed the demands by Chilas leaders and elders to join GB with Kashmir to form one province. He said that at the international level, legally GB is part of the Kashmir dispute but that its people did not have any bond with Kashmiris. He added that GB has distinct national identity, and its language and culture is far different from that of the Kashmiris’. (Baad-e-Shimal)

5. Maulana Sami, Chief of JI Gilgit Baltistan said that by changing headquarters, peace will not be restored in Gilgit City as Skardu was also part of Gilgit Baltistan. (Ausaf, 11 January)

6. There is no mental asylum in GB and this has become a problem for mentally ill people. (Baad-e-Shimal)

7. GB Chief Secretary has accepted the demands presented by Diamer protestors but the protestors resolved to continue with their agitation till peace is ensured and their charter of demands is implemented. (Baad-e-Shimal)

8. Baad-e-Shimal edit; Due to restriction on transfer of timber from Diamer, which is the only place producing fuel timber, people all over GB have begun using heavy electrical equipments for heating and this has resulted in load shedding. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)