SOURCE: Ausaf, Ummat, Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt, Urdu Point, Daily Jinnah, Awami Awaz, Daily Dharti, Jasarat, Kawish, Daily Intekhab, Daily Times, Jang, Ibrat, Khabrain, Roznama Dunya, Hizb Media, Al Qalam Weekly, Baad-e-Shimal, Bang-e-Sahar.

POST-MANSOOR KILLING
1. In his first address, new Afghan Taliban Chief, Mullah Haibatullah has said that people shouldn’t get distressed and remain united; he stated that the flame of Islam and jihad would continue till doom’s day. Announced that their struggle would continue against occupying forces. (Jasarat)
2. New Afghan Taliban Chief Mullah Haibatullah was known to be capable of taking tough decisions and sources close to Taliban have claimed that Haibatullah would make Taliban more powerful. Afghan affairs analysts said that Taliban announced the name of the new chief without any delay to close doors for dispute and controversies in the selection of the new leader. Former Brigadier Syed Nazir said that all four factions of Taliban had collectively chosen Mullah Haibatullah as their leader and stated that Haibatullah was one of the close associates of Mullah Omar. Nazir said that Taliban had chosen Haibatullah as a political personality and this also indicated the Taliban’s ambitions. According to him, the news of Mullah Mansour’s death was issued from the office of Abdullah Abdullah, and this showed that Abdullah was more interested in removing Mullah Mansour from the way of negotiations. Nazir further said that Afghan Intelligence agency, CIA, and Iranian agency had worked together while targeting Mullah Mansour when he came out of the Iranian territory. He warned of the bloodshed in Afghanistan in the coming days as Taliban would avenge the death of Mullah Mansour. (Ummat)
3. Iranian news agency has claimed that Mullah Mansour was killed three months ago in Afghanistan, but Afghan government had kept the news a secret. (Urdu point)
4. Arif Bahar writes that the killing of Mullah Mansour would not affect Taliban’s resistance movement. Instead it would emerge stronger like it became more strong in spite of Mullah Omar’s death. However bringing Taliban to the negotiation table might be difficult now; it seems Afghanistan, India, and the US are not ready for a peace deal with Taliban. Bahar writes that the Abdullah Abdullah group in Kabul is against making Taliban part of the power structure since Abdullah group was afraid that the inclusion of Taliban could bring balance into the existing ethnic structure of the government. He further writes that the US is interested in staying in Afghanistan, so it could continue its spy system close to China and Russia; as for India, it is also against giving powers to the hands of Taliban as India thinks that Taliban is close to Pakistan. (Jasarat)
5. Senior analyst, Najam Sethi, says it is not just Pakistan’s responsibility to pressurise Taliban; even the US and Afghan governments should play their role. With the new Taliban chief, dialogue do not appear to be possible be in the near future. (Jang)
6. Senior analysts, including Hafizullah Niyazi, Mazhar Abbas, Salim Safi, and Hasan Nisar said that the US could not have dared killing Mullah Mansour in Iran, as Iran would not have taken a drone attack on its territory quietly. They said that even after killing Mullah Mansour, dialogues did not appear happening, and that the situation had worsened after Mansour’s death. They also said that Pakistan would have to clarify its policy towards Taliban. (Jang)
7. Hamid Mir writes that the entire world was laughing at Pakistan’s pretence that it was not aware of terrorists’ presence on its soil. He had been questioned about how did Mansour’s fake passport and ID remain intact when the car was fully burnt and destroyed in the drone attack; how did he manage to get a fake passport and ID card made; and, how was a hard-core Taliban leader in Iran? Mir writes that Taliban had struck an unannounced agreement with Iran against ISIS. He questions Pakistan as to why it did not make an alliance with Iran when Taliban and India had made an alliance with Iran and the US did not object; the US criticised Pakistan for supporting Taliban but kept quiet on Iran-Taliban friendship. According to Mir, during his stay in Iran, Mullah Mansour met some Russians to seek Russian help in curtailing US influence in Afghanistan. He further writes that Taliban had opened an office in Iran and Iran was paying wages to some Taliban commanders and Afghanistan president was not bothered. Mir criticises that Pakistani leaders were fooling the public by saying that Pakistan was not aware of Taliban leaders’ presence in Pakistan. (Jang)
8. Jang writes: The regional scenario is changing in the aftermath of the US drone killing Mullah Mansour and the signing India-Iran-Afghanistan deal. Superpowers have always violated the rights of the weaker nations but have taken care of the rights of their own citizens; however, in Pakistan, the government has claimed to protect people’s right, but has not cared to do anything beyond verbal promises. (Jang Edit)
9. The purpose of the drone attack on Taliban leader Mullah Mansour Akhtar on Pakistani soil was to destabilise the relations between Afghan Taliban and Pakistan, with the hope that the Afghan Taliban will extract revenge on Pakistan, leading to chaos and consequently the CPEC’s goals will not be attained. US has no interest in establishing peace in Afghanistan as this is not possible after Mullah Mansour’s death. Pakistan, China, Iran, and Afghanistan must make serious efforts for peace in the region as US policies were causing meaningless war and destruction instead of peace. Jasarat states that the US has sabotage the peace process in Afghanistan by killing Mullah Mansour who was pro-negotiations and had represented Taliban in the ‘Murree talks’. Afghan Taliban have said that that they will avenge the killing of their leader. The daily questions how did the passport remained unaffected after the drone attack which had totally destroyed Mansoor’s vehicle. (Khabrain Edit, Jasarat Edit)
10. Kawish writes: It is said fake identity details was retrieved from Mullah Mansour’s dead body after the drone attack; there is a need to ascertain who is behind making such fake identities. (Kawish Edit)
IRAN
1. Nawa-i-Waqt writes: Pakistan must register its displeasure over Iran increasing its ties with India and ensure that India does not stick its feet in Iran. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
UNITED STATES
1. Former Air Marshal, Riazuddin Shaikh, said that the US drone attack was a clear and dangerous message to Pakistan; he stated the US took advantage of Pakistan having no radar systems in the Nokkundi and Dalbandin regions of Balochistan. Shaikh said that the US was aware that Mullah Mansour was in Dubai and Iran but they deliberately targeted him while he was entering Pakistan. (Jasarat, Urdupoint)
2. Former US ambassador in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said that the US would stop Pakistani aid due to its double standards. He added that the Chinese officials should also learn lessons from Pakistan’s double standards. While speaking on Afghan TV ATN News, he further said that Pakistani secret agency played role in the selection of Taliban leadership. (Jasarat)
3. Secretary General of Jamiat-e-Ulema Pakistan, Shah Muhammad Noorani, said that the US has a habit of challenging Pakistan’s sovereignty. Though the Afghan Taliban has agreed for negotiation, the US targeted the Taliban leader, Mullah Mansour, to hide its defeat in Afghanistan. (Jasarat)
4. Sikandar Haliyo, in his article, writes that despite so much foreign aid to Pakistan for its role in the fight against terror, the relations between Pakistan and the US kept getting derailed from time to time. According to him, Pakistan’s double games were leading to confusion for the US government which get compounded and complicated with passage of time and thus affecting the relations between the two countries even more. Haliyo writes that even now the US felt that the only key to US’ peaceful exit from Afghanistan lay with talks with the help of Pakistan, and thus the onus once again was on Pakistan to woo the Taliban for talks. He states that even though this was a tough task for Pakistan, it had no other option right now. (Kawish)
5. Former Pakistan Army Chief, Gen. (Retd) Mirza Aslam Beg, writes that the successor to Mullah Mansour would be another big threat to the US and to get rid of him, the US would not hesitate to carryout drone strikes inside Pakistan. He further writes that the US had relentlessly rejected Pakistan’s sincere consular efforts, Pakistan Army’s sacrifices, and the efforts to restore peace in Afghanistan, and would continue to humiliate Pakistan in the future as well. Beg suggests that Pakistan would have to change its foreign policy and should distant itself from the QCG. He further states that Mullah Mansour’s body should be handed over to Taliban with full honour because he was a symbol of resistance and courage. According to him, strengthening ties with China should be the base of Pakistan’s safety. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
6. Nazir Naji writes that top officials including Interior Minister were clueless, on US drone attack. He wonders whether the car was US’ direct target, since this thinly-populated area had an airport as there was a nuclear laboratory nearby and that is why this area was always on the US’ watch. He adds that the US was criticising Pakistan’s nuclear program a little more these day and may be US wanted to carry out some activities in regard to that through the Taliban, as had been done at the Mehran Naval base or Kamra Airbase. Naji sarcastically writes about Pakistan’s dual standards and states that when Taliban leaders were alive they called them mujahidin and terrorists and after their death they prayed for them. (Roznama Dunya)
7. Jud Chief Hafiz Saeed has warned of nationwide protests against US’ intention to continue drone attacks inside Pakistan as per its discretion. Other religious parties too would be invited to participate in the protest. He also said that the agreement between India, Iran, and Afghanistan was part of a great game against the CPEC project. He said that Afghanistan was not India’s property, and hence it should give up the idea of ruling from there. (Daily Pak, Roznama Dunya)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. Jang writes: Although the implementation of NAP is moving at a slow pace, the areas where blasts had become a daily routine have become quieter now. Lately, terrorists have begun targeting LEA’s personnel and their vehicles. The institutions should be provided with necessary intelligence support, weapons and other facilities to make NAP more effective. (Jang Edit)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Nawa-i-Waqt and Roznama Dunya say in their edits: It is important that Interior Minister Chaudhary Nissar should also reject the presence of Taliban leadership and Quetta Shura in Pakistan. His statement that ties with the US are tensed relations should be reflected in Pakistan’s external policy as well. US wants to bring the Taliban to the talks table on its own terms which the Taliban will never agree to. Pak-US relations, which have been facing problems, will worsen after this incident and even the Taliban will distance themselves from Pakistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit, Roznama Dunya Editorial)
ECONOMY/WATER
1. Several edits have appeared strongly criticising the Federal Minister for Water and Electricity for ordering the commercial setups to shut early in order to save energy. This is not the way to save energy; instead of increasing production, Minister is halting development and progress. With the Ramzan month coming up, shops closing early will create problems for consumers. Daily Pak states that the people have to cooperate with the government instead of protesting, as somewhere even the government machinery is helpless. Roznama Dunya expresses scepticism on Minister’s promise of uninterrupted power supply during Iftar in Ramzan. The government should improve energy production to overcome the energy crisis. (Jang Edit, Daily Pak Edit, Roznama Dunya Edit)
SINDH
1. It is time the Sindh Law Ministry looked into why no Sindh Advocate General has stayed for long and why there is a change of Advocate General every four-five month. There is a need to remove undemocratic elements that have come in between the Law ministry and the Advocate General’s office. (Awami Awaz Edit)
BALOCHISTAN
1. Four bullet ridden bodies bearing multiple torture marks were found at Sabi in Balochistan. The four were believed to have been abducted 10 days ago. (Kawish)
A conference of civil and military officials was held to discuss security and development projects. Addressing the Conference, Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri said even if tough decisions were to be taken for a peaceful and developed Balochistan, they would be taken, and that no areas would be allowed to remain ‘no-go areas’. He also said that it was the responsibility of the government to provide all the amenities to the public and safeguard the rights of all people and tribes. Commander of Southern Command Lt. General Aamir Riyaz said that they would have to understand the present situation of the region to plan peace moves accordingly. (Daily Intekhab)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1. Former AJK PM and PTI AJK President, Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary, announced PTI’s election agenda. Limiting the rights of Kashmir Council, equal rights for women, and interest free loans to youth, are part of PTI’s election agenda. (Daily Dharti)
2. Chief Justice of the Supreme Appellate Court has postponed the Hunza Nagar by-election by three weeks after a case registered against Baba Jan, a candidate for Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly by-election, by PPP leader Zafar Iqbal challenging his eligibility to contest the election. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal)
3. Talking to the Contractors’ Association, Gilgit-Baltistan CM, Hafizur Rahman, said that the government ended political interference in all departments; every issue would be dealt with on merit, and contracts too would be given only on merit. (Daily K2)
4. Parliamentary Secretary P&D Gilgit-Baltistan, Fida Khan Fida, said that the Federal and provincial governments should immediately start work on the Pander Power Project as it would solve the issue of load shedding in Gilgit-Baltistan. . (Daily K2)
5. Speaker of the G-B Assembly, Haji Fida Mohammad Nashad, said that tenders for Chhumak Bridge would be opened today. There were eight contractors contending for the project – five of the contractors were from Gilgit and three from Baltistan. (Daily K2)
6. Gilgit-Baltistan Police have arrested a Chinese man with arms and maps from Khunjerab trying to enter China from secret ways and was sent to Gilgit for further investigation under the Anti-Terror Act. (Daily K2)
7. Baad-e-Shimal asks the Gilgit-Baltistan government to ensure the construction and repairing of highways on immediate basis. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)