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.

CHINA
1. A war of Twitter messages has been going on for some time between a Chinese diplomat and a Pakistani journalist over the CPEC project. The journalist of the Dawn group has accused unequal distribution of projects under CPEC, and alleged that prisoners are employed on the project to save costs. He also spoke of corruption in CPEC projects. Chinese media and a Chinese diplomat have responded to these allegations saying that rumours and conspiracies constitute danger to the CPEC project. They pointed out that no political party in Pakistan has openly opposed the project. It is possible that some Pakistanis are being used to deface CPEC and China. Such a possibility cannot be ruled out. Implementation of the project in letter and spirit mirrors sincerity of the leadership. The project is of importance to both the countries economically, politically and from the defence point of view. It is therefore necessary for both the countries to formulate strategies to save the project from being targeted. (Daily Intekhab)

2. A Chinese ship has anchored at Gwadar port. It has brought around 60 containers of construction material and 238 various packages included in ‘free trade zone’. (Jang)

SAUDI ARABIA
1. If former Corps Commander of Multan, Lieutenant General Ashfaq Nadeem and Javed Iqbal Ramday take retirement, there is possibility that they might join Muslim Nations’ force set up by Saudi Arabia. Former Army Chief General Raheel Sharif is expected to lead the force. He is right now in Saudi Arabia. He will return to Pakistan on 9thJanuary. General Raheel Sharif will form a brigade of retired Generals and other high officials within in three months and take them to Riyadh, which will host the Command Office of the new Islamic Force. The Command Centre will be modelled on Pakistan’s GHQ. The Command will be in two sections. One section will comprise Saudi Arab, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Oman, Turkey, UAE and Pakistan. The second section will be of countries like Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Maldives and Mauritius. A decision on setting up a third tier comprising nations like Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Tajikistan will be taken within a few days. (Khabrain)

UNITED STATES
1. The US has given indications about India-Pakistan resuming talks sometime later in March or early April. US also has indicated that the change of the administration in Washington will not affect its policy on Kashmir. Spokesman of the US’ Foreign Office has confirmed in an interview that efforts being made to make both these atomic powers agree for talks. There are key issues to be resolved in the region but before that there is need to do more confidence building in the region. He also made it clear that there will be no change in US’ policy on Kashmir. However, he said that the new administration will also keep trying that if both of them inform some third country about their disputes. Intervention in the India-Pak disputes is possible only in that case or else without consent of both no other country can mediate in their issues. He said there are powerful forces on both sides who do not want bilateral better ties. Such forces cannot be identified or named. (Kawish, Urdupoint)

2. The United States has reportedly shown interest to mediate between India and Pakistan on the water dispute. So far, India has not respected any requests from world leaders to resolve the issue and has been violating the Indus Water Treaty without any regret. If US really wants a solution to the water troubles between India and Pakistan, that could eventually provoke a war, it should give a concrete and permanent solution under which India could be bound to follow the norms strictly without any violations. (Daily K2 Edit)

3. Former President Asif Ali Zardari has been invited for the oath taking ceremony of US President – elect Donald Trump. Bilawal too had been invited but would not attend the program due to his other engagements. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

AFGHANISTAN
1. Afghan Taliban has gained complete control over 41 districts centres, from where they are running all their functions. Taliban have killed 24 government forces by attacking military convoys, installations in Badakhshan and other places. (Ummat)

INDIA
1. India is not happy with improving Sino-Nepal relations. India is under great pressure considering joint military drill between the two nations for the first time. India was raising objections over China’s ties with Nepal because it thinks that these military drills would become a hurdle in India’s expansionist ambitions. (Ummat, Nawa-i-Waqt)

2. Indian hackers have defaced the RTI website of the KPK Government. Last week even the EC website was also been hacked. (Daily Pak, Urdupoint)

3. Munir Ahmed Baloch writes: Modi government has issued instructions to Indian Cricket Board to take as few Muslims in the Cricket team as possible. Modi government is biased in giving jobs to Muslims. New Delhi Police has arrested a senior investigation reporter, P Sharma, who reported that Muslims are denied government jobs in India. He is charged with misusing information obtained through ‘Right to Information’. Not only Muslims, all minority communities are suffering in India. (Roznama Dunya)

4. IG FC Balochistan Major General Nadeem Anjum said that India has lost the fight of development due to CPEC and will never be able to compete with Pakistan even after 1000 births. He added that the neighbourhood enemy has no guts to start external attacks and those who wage war by disturbing internal situation sitting outside would never win. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

5. At present, 25 Pakistanis are languishing in Indian jails and 43 Indians are held in Pakistan jails, according to a report in The News International. Information regarding Pak prisoners is available from only 8 jails, out of 1387 jails in India. Process of releasing these prisoners is suspended due to suspension of dialogues between the two countries. (Jang)

6. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed has alleged that India wants to spread fire of terrorism in Pakistan to affect CPEC even as its efforts to promote conspiracies of linguistic and regionalism in Balochistan have failed. He claimed that US banned Al Muhammadiyya Students at the behest of Modi. He was speaking with a delegation of Al Muhammadiyya Students at Markaz Al Qadsia. He added that Al Muhammadiyya Students group is working for guidance of students across the nation. Love for Kashmiris is flowing in their blood and they cannot leave Kashmiris at the mercy of India. (Jasarat, Daily Pak, Ausaf, Urdupoint)

KASHMIR
1. Pakistan’s Political parties have decided to write a letter to the new UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The Secretary General would do well to establish the UN writ in as India, Israel and some other nations are not giving importance to UN resolutions and its decisions. Pakistan should intensify diplomatic efforts and force India to give access to the International Red Cross and international human rights organisations to Jammu and Kashmir. (Ausaf Edit)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. CTD- Hazara region has arrested two wanted terrorists, named Mohamed Nawaz and Azizullah. (Urdupoint)

POWER/WATER
1. People in Sindh are being deprived of potable drinking water. The government will have to respond to the questions raised by judicial commission set up by the court on the issue of provision of potable water. Government has miserably failed in its health related policies. A place where 75 per cent of the people do not get potable water, what can be said about health related policies. Sindh government needs to take appropriate measures on water and related issues. If the government continues with its administrative lapses and neglect, society will have more and more ailments which will only affect the generations to come. Judicial commission has given questionnaire with 26 questions asking officials in concerned departments of Sindh relating to provision of potable water to people. These questions also relate to drainage arrangements for polluted waters. Questions include what is the responsibility of the Federal government, Sindh government and other related agencies with regards to providing people with potable water and outlet facilities for polluted waters. The judicial commission has also asked as to where the toxic and polluted water gathered from across Sindh is released. (Ibrat Edit)

SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. Federal Home Ministry should pay immediate attention to Sindh CM’s complaints made at the apex committee meeting that the federal government has not implemented NAP fully and that many banned organizations enjoy support from the federal government. (Jang Edit, Roznama Dunya Edit)

2. People have always had apprehensions that Punjab is on the lookout for excuses for not doing Sindh census properly. It is also on record that Punjab has often declined to accept Sindh census/population surveys. It is population that is the bases for determining Sindh’s share for allocations of fund from the federal government. Also, Sindh’s share of representation in the federal structure. If population surveys are not done properly this time, then instead of doing any good to Sindh, such improperly done population surveys will only do harm. Hence, Sindh government must take proper measures to ensure proper enumeration of the people in this census scheduled to take off in March. (Sindh Express Edit)

3. Sindh government has directed the Police Chief, who has returned from his forced leave, from making in transfers or changes, a TV report said. These instructions have been given verbally and not in writing. (Sindh Express, Urdupoint, Roznama Dunya)

4. Balochistan National Party (Awami) has opposed the conduct of census in the presence of Afghan refugees in the province. The Party has decided to move the court. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Senator Israr Ullah Zehri, Sayed Ehsan Shah and other BNP-A leaders demanded that all Afghan refugees should be repatriated. (Daily Intekhab)

5. FATA officials have indicated that 1200 families of North Waziristan will return to their homes in nine days. 64,000 families have already returned to their homes. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Urdupoint)

POLITICAL SCENE
1. PPP’s Sassui Palijo and Aziz Damrah have moved a bill in the Senate seeking national language status for Sindhi and the languages of other provinces. But the Advisor to the PM, barrister Zafarullah, has objected to the bill saying that if it is passed it could lead to many complications. Even Law Minister did not hesitate to speak against this bill. Every language should be protected because a language is the very identity of the people. Right now it is Urdu that should be our national language. Authorities should bear in mind that once these languages get status as national languages, it will usher more opportunities for promotion and progress of these languages. (Kawish Edit)

2. Zulfikar Mirza, a one-time Zardari loyalist turned PPP rebel, and his wife, Fahmida Mirza are likely to join Imran’s party PTI. Mirza was Sindh Home Minister during 2008-2013. He turned against Zardari after he was denied ministerial berth again. His wife, Fahmida was Speaker of the National Assembly when PPP was in power in Islamabad. Imran Khan has invited them both to join PTI. (Sindh Express, Daily Pak, Ausaf)

3. Arif Bahar writes: Pakistani community living in Britain is the most deprived of all communities, according to a survey. Out of every four Pakistanis, one is a taxi driver. Pakistani women are facing domestic violence and forced marriages. (Jasarat)

4. PML-Q Chief Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain is right in his demand for electoral reforms. This matter should be taken seriously. We need to have rigged free next elections. Government should ensure that all the necessary reforms are finalized beforehand to ensure a free and fair poll. (Daily Pak Edit)

POK/G-B NEWS
1. Gilgit-Baltistan Bar Council has resolved to launch a movement to get for GB the AJK like setup. It said AJK like status to GB will not affect the Kashmir issue. (Baad-e-Shimal)
2. Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister Fida Khan Fida said that the Government will not leave any terrorist and their facilitators in Ghizer. Terrorist’ threat to a particular sect is unacceptable. Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts will be sent to Ghizer to control the situation. (Daily K2)

3. Gilgit-Baltistan Home Secretary Ahsad Bhatta said that there was no threat to the Ismailia Community but security has been given to them as a precautionary measure. (Daily K2)