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. China has rejected reservations on the CPEC project voiced by some elements of India and stated that CPEC would ensure progress, peace and stability of the region. China has also said that its stance on Kashmir will not change because of the criticism from some media groups in India. (Jasarat-Ummat)

AFGHANISTAN/IRAN
1. Pakistan has suggested that the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement on Iran-Pak pipeline should be amended and both countries should be allowed to complete it, according to Petroleum Minister. During the question-answer session in the Senate, he stated that a sum of Rs. 25 billion has been set aside in the 2016-17 budget for the development of gas infrastructure which also includes Pak-Iran gas pipeline project (Sindh Express)

INDIA
1 Security force have arrested 12 alleged agents of the Indian agency, RAW, from Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan, for planning attacks on Jamat Khana of a special community to spread sectarian hatred. Another network was busted that was working to sabotage the CPEC. Balawaristan National Front’s Abdul Hamid Group Chief Abdul Hamid has links with RAW and was paid Rs. 35 crores to work on RAW’s agenda. 60 suspects have been identified as RAW agents. The security forces have recovered eight Kalashnikov, maps of sensitive places and telescope from the arrested agents.. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal) (Jasarat)
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2. Talking to Radio Pakistan, international affairs expert, Dr. Parvez Iqbal Cheema, said that India and Israel both are involved in state terrorism. He added that the world is well aware of the Indian atrocities in J&K and social media played important role to expose these activities. (Urdupoint)

3. Nazir Naji quotes Michael Krepon as voicing in Foreign Affairs magazine concern that if India and Pakistan do not reach any peaceful solution then the present clash might lead to a war. (Roznama Dunya)

INDIA- WATER
1. India has plans to construct 850 MW Ratle project, 100 MW Mahar project and 330 MW Kishanganga project and one more dam, Minister of Water and Electricity, Khwaja Asif told the Senate. He said India customarily keeps showing the designs of these projects to Pakistan. “We want to settle water disputes with India in accordance with the Indus Water Treaty. The World Bank is a guarantor in this treaty. Apart from the World Bank, there is no other formal forum to get this dispute resolved”. He added that during the past three years, delegations from both sides have paid 118 visits to each other’s water sites. Asif also informed that during three years, 73 small dams have been built in Pakistan. Of these 36 are in Balochistan, 6 in KPK, 30 in Sindh and one in Gilgit.. (Sindh Express)

ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. There has been much dilly-dallying over extension to army courts. No one in Parliament talks why the army courts could not complete their agenda during the last two years. The ruling party thinks the army courts should be given an extension in view of the conditions in the country while the opposition is adamant on playing politics. The Rangers’ issue in Sindh is also being seen from a political point of view. There is a decline in the crime rate in Karachi because of the Rangers and Police operations in the city. The statements from target killers speak for the fact that the ruling sections have been very soft on criminals since long because of which the socio-economic infrastructure in Karachi is out of shape. (Awami Awaz Edit)

2. Taking part in a Geo News Program on curbing terrorism, senior analyst, Babar Sattar said setting up of military courts was a big mistake and they should not be given any extension. He said that terrorism was brought under control through military operation, not by military courts. Marvi Memon and Mazhar Abbas also felt that the military courts were not a good option. Salim Safi felt that military courts indicate no confidence in the judiciary. However, Hasan Nisar argued that military courts played positive role in the war against terrorism. He said that extraordinary steps need to be taken under extraordinary circumstances. Imtiyaz Alam said under situation like operation Zarb-e-Azb, common laws do not work. The civilian courts pronounced penalties in 20% cases whereas military courts punished 96% convicts. (Jang)

3. Senior analyst Mazhar Abbas writes that out of three operations carried out in Karachi, rangers operation is held as most effective. It is due to two reasons. One, it was kept very balanced and secondly rangers were given special powers under Anti-Terrorism act. The factors responsible for its fiasco include distance between Sindh government’s and centre’s failure to keep politics out of Sindh police’s hands, and failure in investigation and judicial process. (Jang)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. A press release from the Army Spokesman’s Office stated that a large number of weapons and explosive material were seized during search operations at Kahan, one of cities in Balochistan. These weapons belong to banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and were buried in a 4 feet deep pit. The ops was conducted following a tip off. (Awami Awaz)

2. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed has approached the Islamabad High Court to remove his name from Fourth Schedule-2. He has made the Interior Ministry Secretary, Foreign Ministry Secretary, of Secretaries of Punjab and Sindh, NECTA and Chief Commissioner of Islamabad as parties to his petition. The petition said Hafiz Saeed has no connections with defunct organization in the petition. (Jasarat)

3. Chief of banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Rizwan alias Asif Chhotu, was killed in an encounter with CTD, along with three other accomplices. Three others escaped. According to the spokesperson of CTD, it received an intelligence input that some terrorists were proceeding from Farooqabad towards Shekhupura on four motor cycles. CTD put up check posts at Shekhupura. The terrorists tried to avoid check posts, but were challenged. In the ensued encounter, four terrorists, including Asif Chhotu, were killed. Asif Chhotu carried a reward of rupees one crore on his head. He had been involved in murders of more than 200 persons. (Daily Intekhab, Daily K2)

SINDH
1. The Sindh CM has held back the permission to extend Rangers’ policing powers in Sindh. A dispute has cropped up between the Sindh and the federal governments following recent raid on Zardari’s aide, Anwar Majeed’s house by the Rangers in Karachi. The Sindh government wants that the federal government should give a guarantee that such raids will not be conducted on Zardari’s’ close aides without consulting the Sindh government. But the federal government has so far not reacted to this demand. It may not give any such assurance. In the past so such assurances were given. According to sources in PPP, the Sindh CM has so far not signed the orders sent to him for signature from the Sindh Home Ministry for extending Rangers’ policing powers. These powers had expired four days ago. (Sindh Express)

2. MQM’s Izhar-al-Hassan said the Sindh government wants that the Rangers should not take any action against PPP leaders. Speaking to media outside Sindh assembly, he said it will be better if this row on Rangers’ powers is settled once for all. Most of the criminals flee to other parts of Sindh after committing crime in Karachi. It would be better if the Rangers’ operations take place across Sindh. Another MQM leader, Sardar Ahmad commented that the federal government and the Sindh government should sit and talk out on this issue. It is not good that the Rangers are given powers forever. The Rangers should undertake operations only in consultation with the Sindh government. (Sindh Express)

3. MQM Pakistan Chief had a telephonic conversation with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and demanded taking them into confidence over the appointment of the Governor of Sindh. (Khabrain)

BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. In a Geo Program, host Shahzeb Khan, commenting on deaths in police encounters said encounters have become a part of the Punjab government policy. He said that as per reports in a Pakistani magazine, extrajudicial activities have become Punjab police’s favourite weapon against sectarian terrorism. According to experts, police encounters are carried out as government fails to take an effective legal action against the criminals in the courts. (Jang)

2. The study of holy book, Quran, is sought to be made mandatory up to 5th standard in Khyber Pakhtunkhwah (KP). The Chief Minister. Accordingly has given the green signal. Students of classes from 5th to 10th will be taught Quran with translations and commentaries. (Awami Awaz)

3. A two day meeting of the central committee of National Party was held in Karachi under its president and federal minister for Port and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo. The meet discussed organizational and political affairs, law and order conditions, census and other matters. It decided to take all political parties into confidence over the non-acceptability of census enumeration under present conditions. Former Chief Minister of Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch also addressed meetings. (Daily Intekhab)

POLITICAL SCENE
1. Tahir-ul-Qadri has observed that the army courts will not get an extension. There is a strong nexus amongst militants, those in power and the corrupt elements. Militancy will not be eliminated in Pakistan because of this nexus. (Awami Awaz)

2. Jamaat-e-Islami Chief’s petition seeking the disqualification of the PM has been admitted in the Supreme Court and it will be heard by a three-judge bench. The petition claimed that what the PM Sharif had said on Panama Papers issue in Parliament and in his address to the nation was based on lies. (Kawish)

3. JI Karachi Chief Naim-ur-Rahman has appealed to COAS Gen Qamar Bajwa to secure the release of Dr Afiya from US prison. (Jasarat)

4. Hamid Mir writes: Sohail Waraich’s book, ‘Gadaar kaun’ (Who is a traitor), is based on interviews with Nawaz Sharif and his family members during his exile period. The book shows that Nawaz Sharif rejected a General’s suggestion that national wealth be increased through black money and exporting drugs. Nawaz Sharif also supported changes in the ISI charter and bringing it under the civilian government. From the interviews Sohail had with Nawaz, it appears that Nawaz had filed charges against Asif Zardari and Benazir under some pressure. The clash between Nawaz Sharif and Zardari had started from Senate elections, when Zardari won becoming its chairman. Zardari has already lost a lot and now Nawaz Sharif is losing, Imran is complacent after a few victories. (Jang)

5. Pashtun students attacked Sindhi students at Qaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad. This university is located in the red zone area of Islamabad. Four hostels in university became battle ground as over 150 Pashtun students attacked Sindhi students and destroyed the CCTV footage. The members of Pashtun Council have made life miserable for Sindhi students from Sindhi Council at university since two days. The Pashtun students have been selectively targeting Sindhi students over a petty dispute and beating Sindhi students with iron rods. The Chairman of Sindhi Council was held hostage and was attacked with rods. Seven Sindhi students are injured and some are also found missing from their rooms. This was a planned attack on the Sindhi students as some of the old dismissed students were brought into the University for these attacks. No one came to the rescue of the Sindhi students. Following these attacks, the Sindhi students have vacated hostels and headed for safer shelter elsewhere. (Sindh Express)

POK/G-B NEWS
1. COAS Gen Qamar Bajwa during his meeting with AJK Prime Minister Farooq Haider said that the army is capable of countering threats of all forms. Both discussed on security situation at the LoC and the working boundary. (Jasarat)

2. Senior Minister Haji Akbar Taban said that people of Baltistan region are highly unfaithful because they never raised their voice against the PPP government’s dismal performance but now despite so many developmental projects underway people of Gilgit-Baltistan are simply unconcerned. (Daily K2)

3. Gilgit-Baltistan government is trying to address problems of the people but unfortunately problems are endless and opposition is not ready to recognize any work done by the government. If the PML-N wants to continue for the next term it should work to the fullest satisfaction of the people. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)