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, Sindh Express, Pk Voices.

1. The Apex committee of Sindh met under the leadership of Chief Minister to assess law and order scenario in the province. Home Secretary gave briefings on the measures taken and what they have done to keep a check on the financial support to the militants. Combing operations have also begun to dismantle the networks that have come up for recruitments for Syria and Iraq (for ISIS). Sindh government has sought powers from the federal government for Sindh police under ‘Foreigners’ Ordinance of 1951’. This is to enable the Sindh police to act against who are staying illegally and indulging in illegal acts. Sindh government should take up this case forcefully with the federal government, so that the Sindh police get these powers. The issue at stake is crucial for survival of Sindh. Even employment is a big issue. Hence it will be better for Sindh to get rid of these illegal foreigners. Sooner, the better. (Ibrat Edit)

2. Karachi will have to be cleansed of illegally acquired weapons for lasting peace. During his one-day visit to the city, the newly appointed Army Chief visited Corpse headquarters and Rangers headquarters. Fundamentalists, mafia and militant groups have kept taking control of the city. Land grabbers and fascist elements were almost everywhere across the city each trying to make most of the lawlessness in Karachi. Karachi kept bleeding. The only way for a permanent and lasting peace in Karachi is ‘continuation of the operations’. There can be no lasting peace, law and order till the city is cleansed of illegally acquired arms. (Awami Awaz Edit)

3. A Special Task Force, TF-88, has been formed to protect Gwadar Port. Safety and security of the Gwadar Port and CPEC are of utmost importance; there should not be any compromise. After the Indian submarine violated Pakistan limits, formation of the task force has come necessary for the protection of Gwadar Port. (Daily K2 Edit, Ausaf Edit)

4. Fight between the two tribes over disputed land in Chilas has left many injured including policemen. The disputed land has been acquired by the Gilgit-Baltistan Government for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam. This acquisition is going to affect 32 villages covering 27 thousand families. Affected landowners are demanding market rates for their lands but the Government is not ready to entertain their request. Since Diamer dam is very essential project for Pakistan, the Government should pay special attention to the demands and to the disputes between tribes. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

5. World Bank should itself decide the IWT dispute, as nothing fair can be expected from India; more so after Indian PM Modi has vowed to make Pakistan die for every drop of water. The WB can send the case to any international arbitrary court instead of asking India to resolve the issue with Pakistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

6. World Bank is adopting the US’ policy in support of India, even though Pakistan has appealed for arbitration to resolve the issues raising out of India’s water aggression. WB should review its decision and pressure India to adhere to IWT. (Ausaf Edit)

7. The World Bank has provided a good opportunity to India and Pakistan to settle their water issues through mutual talks and save the region from devastation. The Modi government has been threatening Pakistan to deprive it of water from the beginning. India should understand that Indus Water Treaty ensures peace in the region and if this is abrogated it will be dangerous for India too. As per international laws no single country has monopoly over any river. World Bank should make India to adopt reasonable attitude. (Jang Edit)

8. Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz is praising India despite the ill treatment he faced there. He said that he was given protocol in India and the press conference didn’t take place on the security grounds. (Ummat)

9. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed said foreign powers are conspiring to promote favouritism, sectarianism, and linguistic and rational divide in Pakistan. He demanded Pakistani community and the forces should come together to defeat India. He said that they will continue nationwide demonstrations against Sindh assembly’s controversial bill, the Kashmir issue and India’s aggressions on the LoC. (Ausaf)

10. Water experts in Pakistan have suggested that a neutral committee of water experts should be formed to resolve the dispute between India and Pakistan on the Indus Water Treaty and related water issues. Pakistan should take immediate and effective steps to stop India from constructing dams and changing the water flow. India and the US are conspiring to turn Pakistan into a barren land. (Daily Pak)

11. Following World Bank’s directives, there is a likelihood of talks between India and Pakistan on the disputes relating to water and dams. According to the sources, direct talks between Indian and Pakistani officials are being contemplated. However, officials are apprehensive on the appointment of a neutral expert or of World Bank’s mediatory role. If any decision is taken contrary to the expectations of any of the two countries involved, it can jeopardise the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. (Sindh Express)

12. Former AJK Minister for Information, Abid Husain Abid, has warned the government to not treat Rawalakot in a step motherly fashion. He was opposing shifting of the construction a Post from Rawalakot to Mirpur and the closure of educational organizations. He protested against discrimination and excesses committed against employees from Rawalakot. He warned the government that if it does not change its attitude, his party will stall functions of the government machinery. (Daily Dharti)

13. JUI (F) Fazal-ur-Rahman is convening a three day global meeting, Global Ijtema, in Peshawar on April 7, 2017. (It is a sectarian or religious meeting). Muslims from across the world will attend the meet. He said this during his visit to Sindh’s Sukkur and Ghotki areas. . (Kawish)

14. JUI (F) Fazal-ur-Rahman has asked his party men to get ready for 2018 polls and told them that ‘you have to win these polls’. He said that once his party is in the power, Islam’s messages of peace will reach across to the world. It is imperative he becomes PM of Pakistan. (Kawish)

15. Pakistan’s ‘Fisher Folk Forum’ and family members of 130 fishermen held in Indian jails took out a rally from ‘Art Council’ to the Press Club in Karachi. (Jasarat)

16. Retired Vice Admiral, Ahmad Tasneem, retired Rear Admiral Parvez Asghar, retired Commodore Himayatullah, and other Navy experts opine that India will also join CPEC project in its own interest. Tasneem said if Gwadar port is linked to Chabahar port India could join CPEC through Chabahar. Parvez Akhtar said China’s project is of one belt, one route, and in this, India and Europe will also be included. Himayatullah said India will never join CPEC at any stage. India and Russia have already formed North-South corridor trade with central Asian countries. He said that Chabahar port cannot be compared with Gwadar, India’s is portraying Chabahar from politic angle. (Jang)

17. Senate’s standing committee for interior affairs, passed a resolution condemning Indian Home Minister’s statement that Pakistan would split. The resolution asked the Sharif government to summon Indian High Commissioner and reprimand him. (Jang)
18. Columnist Munir Ahmad Baloch writes the US is getting ready to follow policies designed by its think thanks with regard to Pakistan. Retired Pakistani official of all the wings of army would have to come to the field to protect ideology of Pakistan as the CIA and MI-6 intruded NGOs and other institutions inside Pakistan. Baloch expresses fear that Pakistan might suffer massive bloodshed because of external conspiracies. (Roznama Dunya)

19. Hamid Mir writes: Chinese experts have come to Gwadar not to make it a military base but to make it a new shipping port and to set up new industries. This specialty might force India and the US to join the CPEC. China’s future development depends on the oil and gas and for that it wants safe passage in the Indian Ocean, so that it gets easy link to the Middle Eastern countries and Africa. In China’s one belt one road, Central Asian countries and Afghanistan are included. China will reach them via Pakistan. On the other hand, it is investing in Bangladesh, Burma and Sri Lankan ports also. China also wants to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Yemen into this belt. This appears to be a promising economic scenario. For this, the situation in Balochistan and Gwadar will need to be improved. (Jang)

20. The US will give 81 million dollars to Pakistan for the construction of first phase of Kurram Tangi Dam in North Waziristan, according to Minister for Defence and Water, Khwaja Asif. (Sindh Express)

21. Pakistan successfully tested its most modern Cruise Missile ‘Babar-II’. It is capable of hitting targets at a distance of 700 kilometres both on land and sea. It can carry all types of warheads. Most modern stealth technology has been used in its manufacture. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff and other top officials of the ‘Strategic Plans Division’ witnessed the launch. President and Prime Minister congratulated scientists and engineers of the ‘Strategic Plans Division’ of the armed forces on the missile success. (Daily Intekhab)

22. Major General Mohammad Saeed has been made the new Director General of Sindh Rangers and Major General Nadeem Anjum has been made IG- Frontier Corps in Balochistan. Saeed is at present GOC, Hyderabad. (Sindh Express, Daily Intekhab)

23. Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa visited Corps Headquarters and Rangers Headquarters in Karachi. Addressing officers, he expressed satisfaction on performance of security agencies and peaceful situation in Karachi. He also said that the remains of terrorism and its sleeper cells will be finished. Provincial governments will cooperate in every possible way to add to the effectiveness of law enforcing agencies. . (Daily Intekhab)

24. US Commander General John Nicholson met Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa. Both discussed security situation in the region and issues related to management of Pak-Afghan border. (Daily Intekhab)

25. Lahore High Court has dismissed all the petitions seeking disqualification of Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. (Awami Awaz)

26. The first meeting of officials of Pakistan and Russia has decided to continue consultations on important regional and international issues, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakariya. The meeting was held in Islamabad. Russian delegation was led by the third Chief of CIS Department of Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Stering. Pakistani side was led by Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Husain. Both delegations discussed important sectors including wider regional issues. Economic cooperation and coordination was also discussed. The next round of consultations will be held in Moscow next year. The Russian Defence Minister Sargie Shoego visit to Pakistan in 2014 has set the stage for these consultations. Three months ago, Russian military took part in joint military exercises in Pakistan. (Jinnah)

27. National Assembly speaker has rejected the resolutions filed by PPP and PTI members asking PM to come clean on Panama issue on the floor of parliament. The Speaker said he is rejecting their motions as the Panama issue is being heard in the Supreme Court. Opposition members criticised that they are getting opportunity to speak in the House. Raising slogans of ‘chor-chor’ they surrounded the speaker podium. (Sindh Express)

28. Opposition leader Syed Khursheed Shah said there used to be a time when Gulf kings used to be after Pakistan’s PM. Today Pakistan PM is hiding behind a Qatar prince. This is reference to Nawaz Sharif taking help from Qatar prince in Panama case. (Sindh Express)

29. Sources said that crucial leaders of PPP are going to Dubai for attending PPP meeting presided by Bilawal. The discussions will focus on return of former President Zardari and launch of anti-government movements. It is possible that some changes will be made in the Sindh cabinet. (Ausaf)

30. PTI has started scrutiny of its candidates for the next parliament election. PTI leaders think that the general polls will be held before time, most likely in 2017. So the party has set up parliamentary board on candidates’ selection PTI also announced that they are setting up a political committee to spread awareness on Panama leak issues. This committee will visit nook and corner of the country and will apprise professionals of PTI’s point of view. (Kawish)

31. Hundreds of people welcomed Hizb-e-Islami Commander Ruzdad at Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul on his arrival after 18 years of exile, and raised slogans in his favour. (Ummat)

32. AJK government has reshuffled the bureaucracy. Khalid Ahesan Kayani becomes the Principle Secretary of PM while Secretary Electricity Fayaz Abbasi has been moved to the board of revenue. (Daily Dharti)

33. PM Nawaz Sharif will visit Gilgit-Baltistan on 27th December to address the joint session of the local legislature. (Baad-e-Shimal)

34. A two day International Maritime Conference on CPEC and Gwadar Port ended in Gwadar. The Conference was held under the joint auspices of Pakistan Navy, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform and Parliamentary Committee for CPEC. The theme of deliberations was ‘CPEC and Gwadar Port as Harbinger of Regional Integration and Maritime Economic Development’. The speakers stressed on the need for establishing a complete operational naval base at Gwadar. (Daily Intekhab)

35. Motor cycle borne militants have shot dead a 56 –year- old Assistant Vice President of Allied Bank in Karachi. They targeted him just as he reached his car outside his house to go to the bank. (Kawish)