2. The US pressurized Russia through India to cancel president Putin’s visit. As per INP, military sources have informed that postponement of the Russian president’s visit will not affect Pakistan Army Chief’s visit to Russia.  (Nawa-i-Waqt)

AFGHANISTAN
1. 25 Afghan nationals, involved in aggressive demonstrations in Islamabad, have been arrested.

2. Jang editorial is on bilateral meetings between the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan as also between Afghanistan, Britain and Pakistan in New York.  China, Afghanistan and Pakistan are due to hold consultations in Islamabad soon. These meetings seek to strengthen cooperation on issues of law and order situation in Afghanistan after NATO troops are withdrawn. It has become necessary to prepare a roadmap for Afghanistan in order to maintain peace as it would not be easy to manage the region with American policies alone. (Jang Edi)

UNITED STATES
1.  JUI (F) has announced a movement to boycott US and European products. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

2.Nawa-i-Waqt editorial on power shortage asks why Pakistan cannot get out duck American pressure to buy electricity from Iran. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

DEFENCE
1. Ausaf editorially commented on Wall Street Journal’s report that an ISI general is being informed about drone attacks in advance. It said the report has created both suspicion and concern amongst the people. It is now necessary for the army chief and the ISI head to confirm or reject the report. And if the report is false, the Wall Street Journal should be sued. (Ausaf Edit)

2. Jinnah’s editorial on the Wall Street Journal report regarding the ISI says there is a calculated campaign to malign the ISI and spread hatred against it as it has the capability to combat the CIA, Mossad and RAW. More so, because ISI has been sabotaging the conspiracies of US, Israel and RAW to divide Pakistan into pieces. (Jinnah Edit)

3. Daily Pak editorially is critical of the US and West’s double standard concerning the sacrilegious film and statements by Railway Minister Bilour. (Daily Pak Edit)

TERRORISM/EXTREMISM
1. An organization by the name Al Jihadi Islami has accepted responsibility of the remote controlled bomb blast in Orakzai Agency in which two students were killed and 7 were injured. One security personnel was killed when militants attacked the security post at a bordering area of Afghanistan. Security forces killed five militants in retaliation. (Urdupoint)

2. Imdad Ali Sodar writes in Ibrat that while Railway Minister Bilour’s statements were praiseworthy, by protesting violently instead of peacefully, and killing Pakistanis, these protesters are bringing a bad name to Islam. (Ibrat)

3. Jasarat edit on the protest lodged by President Zardari at the UN over blasphemy, says other Muslim countries have also raised the issue at the UN but the US president has said that Washington cannot take action against the makers of the movie, who is an American. Edit states that the US president has advised Muslim countries to quell violent protests in their countries. Even Zardari was awakened after the massive protests by people; Muslim leaders should understand the emotions of people and should register a protest at the official level and through diplomatic channels with America. (Jasarat Edit)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. MQM London has split and Rabita Committee member Mohammad Anwer has started lobbying for support. (Jinnah)

2. Eight parties have formed a new front called ‘Pakistan Awami Mahaz’. These parties are Istiqlal Party, Pakistan Milli Party, Tehreek-e-Insaf (Nazaryati), PML-Qasim, Pakistan Christian Party, Pakistan Political Worker Party, and Peoples’ Democratic League in a convention appointed Chaudhary Muhammad Arshad as the Convener of the new political alliance. (Daily Dharti, Nawa-i-Waqt)

3. Ummat edit welcoming Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim’s efforts to hold a free and fair election in Pakistan, said Pakistan has no future if polls were rigged. Trust was basis of confidence in Qaid and today it lays shattered as the current leadership is inefficient. The same level of confidence is required to strengthen Pakistan and elections are a way to decide the country’s fate. (Ummat Edit)

4. Jang’s edit on poll body’s preparations note that the Election Commission has decided to let overseas Pakistani vote only if they are in Pakistan; over 4 million Pakistanis live in 106 foreign countries and it is important that their votes should not be wasted. As far as women voters are concerned, the EC’s stand is that action should be taken action against anyone stopping women from going to polling booths. Decisions taken by the EC were in the vast interests of the nation and everyone would get a chance to play their part in national politics. (Jang Edit)

5. Jasarat edit on the NRO implementation case says the Supreme Court has set a deadline of 5th October for the government to send the letter to Swiss authorities. The letter will have to be drafted in accordance with the para-178 of the verdict of NRO and in case of disobedience PM Pervez Ashraf will face the contempt of court charge. (Jasarat Edit)

5. Jang columnist Irfan Siddiqui writes it’s good that Sheri Mazari has understood the real face of politics and although it is late, she has left PTI. (Jang)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1 The Federal Government has released Rs. 55.30 billion for the year 2012-13, for infrastructure, social sector and restoration and reconstruction of flood affected places. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

2. Khabrain’s edit asked government to bring more people into the tax net. It asked the government to act on Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Ali Arshad Hakim that about 37 lakh persons are capable of paying taxes worth Rs. 176 billion. (Khabrain Edit)

3.Ausaf says FBR will introduce new tax amnesty scheme in order to collect Rs. 176 billion from 37 lakh people. Tax evaders have time till October 2012 to come clean. From 1st of January there will be a new law and citizens will be empowered to provide information about tax thieves. The government should also offer incentive to lure overseas Pakistanis to bring back their wealth to the country. People will have to be assured that their wealth would be protected in the country. In India Indira Gandhi had also announced a similar scheme and as a result many Indians had brought their black money to their country. (Ausaf Edit)

SINDH
1. Ibrat’s edit on  the continuing target killings in Karachi says on Wednesday, there were 16 target killings, yet the authorities seem to be unaware what has been happening in Karachi. (Ibrat Edit)

2. Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat will protest today against the killing of its activists in Sindh. It stated that in one week, 15 activists have been killed and their peaceful attitude should not be taken as their weakness. (Jasarat)

BALOCHISTAN
1. BLA and Lashkar Balochistan briefed Balochistan National Party Chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal for the six demands put forth by him. His demands are end armed operation, allow political parties to contest elections, arrest killers of Akbar Bugti and others and rehabilitate homeless families. (Ummat)

2. Daily Intekhab’s edit on Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s deposition in the Supreme Court over the missing persons’ case. Though Sardar Mengal had said that his statements should not be considered political but in the current scenario it would not be possible to do so. It’s true that an apology or a package would not solve Balochistan’s problems but if the missing persons case was resolved it would even settle the main issue. Trust shown by the real political powers and separatist groups over the appearance of Sardar Akhtar Mengal in the Supreme Court itself was a debatable issue and there would be definite discussions among the protectors of the national rights. Edit goes on to say that it was surprising that Sardar Akhtar Mengal had rejected all the constitutional departments of Pakistan and now he was expressing trust in one of the most important departments of the federation. Edit says that what was right and wrong was an issue of long discussions but the question now is how to resolve the issue peacefully as per the aspiration and interests of the people.   (Daily Intekhab Edit)

POK/ G-B NEWS
1. Secretary for Water and Electricity has discharged temporary staff, including engineers and assistant engineers; he is making new appointments under recommendations from ministers. (Baad-e-Shimal)

2 Gilgit city has been declared a Red Zone for security purposes in preparation for the PM’s visit.  Security at the airport is on high alert; forces have taken charge of the security. (Baad-e-Shimal, Ausaf)

3 An important meeting of the Welfare Society and Local Zakat Fund Committee was presided by Chairman-ARSP, Fazlur Rahman. The meeting was told that the local chairmen were involved in large scale embezzlement of Zakat funds collected by them. (Baad-e-Shimal)