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.
AFGHANISTAN
1. According to Pak foreign ministry sources, Afghan Taliban have presented a list of their demands to Pakistan; topping the list is the demand to hand over Mullah Abdul Ghani Biradar, who was very close to Mullah Omar. (Jang)
2. Afghan Army chief has warned Pakistan that if its interference continues, then army operation would be the last option against Pakistan. This language was of Chief of army of a country which was unable to fight its enemies and terrorists who were using its territory as safe haven. In fact Pakistan should have issued this warning to Afghanistan because Pakistan was suffering from terrorist raids on bordering areas. Taliban on their part have stepped up attacks on Afghan security forces. Afghan army is not capable to fight with Taliban. Moreover, NATO was disturbed since dozens of tanks were destroyed by Taliban. Afghan army chief should first tackle Taliban and then challenge Pakistan. Afghanistan also should stop acting at the behest of India. (Jasarat Edit, Ausaf Edit)
3.Is critical of Afghan Army Chief’s threat of military action against Pakistan. If there were some rocket attacks from Pakistan side then they could have been work of elements that want to sabotage Pakistan’s peace efforts. (Jang Edit)
IRAN
1. Homework was underway to demand arrest of wanted people from Iran allegedly involved in sectarianism and separatist movement in Pakistan. A list of wanted terrorists has been prepared who were hidden in Balochistan and other provinces and supported by Iranian agency. (Ummat)
CHINA
1. Sohail Sangi writes that China doesn’t seem keen on mediating between India and Pakistan. China’s interests in Pakistan are limited and it would not intervene on Pakistan’s behest. China is also playing a limited role in Afghanistan. China has taken up a huge responsibility of the One Road, One Belt programme and is working towards bringing economic stability to the region. (Kawish)
UNITED STATES
1.Former General Syed Nazir Mohmand, speaking with ‘Ummat’, said that Pakistan had provided the US face saver in the shape of Abbottabad (Operation Osama bin Laden). After that the US withdrew its troops. Now if Pakistan wants to ‘stay liberated’ it should say ‘No’ to the US. (Ummat)
2.Speaking with correspondent of ‘Ummat’, former COAS Gen Aslam Beg said America now cannot force Pakistan to do more sacrifices; in spite of every effort America has failed to defeat Taliban in Afghanistan. Beg said that Taliban have almost got control over Arzagan province and Afghan forces have hold of a small area. A year ago he had predicted about strategy of Afghan Taliban which is getting hold of new areas even in the summer. America and its allies were distressed by this strategy of Taliban. India was also disturbed. He claims that government in Pakistan was distressed because it failed to foresee things. Pakistan should think how it could play role in establishing peace in Afghanistan; peace will be established in Pakistan if it is established in Afghanistan. Beg said he wants to tell Pak army that F-16s are not needed which was made 40 years ago; Pakistani made JK-17 Block-2 would fulfil requirements of Pakistan. Beg said Pakistan should try to obtain air-space technology from EU and especially from Sweden. Pakistan shouldn’t accept demand of America to release Dr Shakeel and states that if Pakistan accepts this demand, the next campaign would be to release RAW agent Kulbhushan Yadav. (Ummat)
INDIA
1.APHC leader Bilal Ghani Loun said that Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of Kashmir and people should decide their fate. He alleged that India was occupying J&K illegally and freedom from India was the only motto of Hurriyat. (Baad-e-Shimal)
ARMY
1.An American Research organization has claimed in its latest report that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were very effective and better in quality than those of weapons of Russia and the US. (Jasarat, Roznama Dunya)
2.In Corps commander conference which was chaired by COAS General Rahil Sharif combing operations had been approved against sleeper cells and facilitators of terrorists across the nation. Participants were given briefing about internal and external security situation. (Jasarat, Ummat)
TERRORISM & MILITANCY
1.Eleven terrorists belong to a banned outfit have fled form Mardan Police lines. (Roznama Dunya)
2.JeM Chief Maulana Masood Azhar met Chief of Jamat Ahl-e-Gurba Ahl-e-Hadis Maulana Abdul Rahman Salfi to condole demise of senior leader of Jamat-e-Ahl-e-Gurba Ahl-e-Hadis, Muhamad Idris. Maulana Masood Azhar visited office of Ahl-e-Hadis. (Jasarat, Jang)
POLITIAL SCENE
1.Duhkhtarna-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi said that conducting Nizam-e-Mustafa Conference in Pakistan was a good step. (Baad-e-Shimal)
2.Opposition parties have demanded that PM Sharif should declare all his assets on the floor of Parliament and said Panama Leaks investigations should be started from PM’s end. (Daily K2)
3.Despite federal interior ministry and LEA’s policies, number of Afghans in Rawalpindi district have crossed over 35000. (Urdupoint)
3.Establishment Division has decided on downsizing its staff in order to ease burden on national treasury. (Roznama Dunya)
4.There should be impartial investigations into the Panama leaks and the matter should not be allowed to derail democracy or the country. (Kawish Edit)
5.The current socio-political conditions in Pakistan were comparable to that of 1977 when there were protests all over the country. Powerful politicians had joined hands against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto but were still unable to successfully dislodge him. The tensions between and within various political parties was threatening democracy and the rift between the PML (N) and the PTI were only increasing. Differences between the political parties should be resolved with patience. (Ibrat)
6.Both government and opposition should display maturity and reach a consensus to resolve their differences on how to conduct probe into Panama Leak issue. (Jang Edit)
7. Asks the opposition not to hurl allegation without having any proof against Sharif family in the Panama Leaks. However supports Imran Khan’s statement that in democratic Pakistan Prime Minister is equally accountable. (Roznama Edit)
8.Naseem Bukhari writes: for the first time opposition parties are coming together against the ruling party on the issue of the Panama leaks but they are not likely to remain united for long; they could soon start exposing each other’s weaknesses. (Ibrat)
9. While PM must present himself for accountability, the opposition is not right to demand PM’s resignation more so since there has been no probe as yet into the Panama Leaks case. Nonetheless the government should take the opposition seriously. (Khabrain Edit)
10. Talks about politics of accountability and CM Shahbaz Sharif calling for scrutiny of everyone including generals, judges and politicians past and present. Democracy could be saved only if the process of accountability was made transparent and strong. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit, Ausaf Edit)
ECONOMY/WATER
1.Some areas in Pakistan like Cholistan and Thar were facing acute shortage of water but authorities are not considering the matter seriously. Successive governments have failed to stop India from constructing dams on Pakistani rivers. India is committing open violation of the Indus River Pact. Water is life and leaders and authorities should stop doing politics on such an essential commodity and begin work on water conservation projects on high priority. (Daily Pak Edit)
2.Referring to a meeting between IMF and Pak officials for a fresh assistance, editorials have criticised that even after three years government has failed to do away with external loans. The government has agreed with IMF demand to privatise PIA and Steel Mills soon. (Roznama Edit, Ausad Edit)
3.World Bank has sanctioned one billion dollar to Pakistan for Economic Reforms program. (Roznama Dunya)
KHYBER –PAKTHUNKHAWA
1.KP chief minister, Parvez Khattak has announced that he would launch a protest campaign in case the federal government doesn’t honour its promise to KP under CPEC’s western route. (Urdu Point)
BALOCHISTAN
1.JI Secretary General Liyaqat Baloch said that on 14 May, ‘Nizam-e-Mustafa Conference’ will be held in Rawalpindi. Religious organizations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have started preparations for the event. Baloch further said that problems of Pakistan will not be resolved by liberalism but by imposing sharia. (Jasarat, Ummat, Daily Pak)
GILGIT-BALTISTAN
1. Accuses that PPP was giving a ticket to their favourite person in Kashmir in return for money. Demands the resignation of the PPP PM over corruption charges. (Daily Dharti Edit)
2. PPP is reviving its presence in Gilgit-Baltistan; many disgruntled politicians are joining the party in Skardu. It was said that some had problems with former party president Mehdi Shah but now everyone was coming back; this is worrying the other parties. (Daily K2)
3. WAPDA has agreed to construct half of the power houses of Diamer Bhasha Dam in Gilgit-Baltistan and half in KPK. Most of the land has been acquired for construction of the dam. (Daily K2)
4. Expresses concern over apathy of the education department in GB, and urges the government to take concrete steps to improve the performance of this essential department. (Daily K2 Edit)