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
- Pak-China naval exercises have assumed more importance because of the Gwadar port, said Naval Chief Admiral Zakaullah. He said Pakistan’s desire for peace in the region should not be construed as its weakness. Pakistan can fight back against any aggression. (Awami Awaz)
- Buxal Thulho, in his article on CPEC, says any person, who makes anti-CPEC remarks, is labelled as RAW agent. Government bodies are not much transparent on CPEC. How much Chinese funds are given as loan and on what terms? People are not aware about these aspects. Even Pakistan’s senate says it has no knowledge of it. The government of Pakistan does not feel that it is accountable to its people. There is conflict between civilian government and the establishment with regards to control of the CPEC project. Civilian government wants to empower establishment only with regards to defence-related aspects, which is not acceptable to the establishment. Army Chief’s visits to China suggest that the Chinese government is insisting on constitutional guarantee and safeguards for China’s huge investments. China wants to set up a separate ministry wherein the army too has a constitutional role. In2003, replacing Japan, China became the number two economy in the world. It is a consumption-driven economy. China is gearing up to celebrate centenary of revolution in 2021. Its target is to double the economic growth. During 2011 to 2013 China’s consumption of cement was more than what the US might have used during entire 20th century. This kind of growth requires energy resources, access to safe supplies and easy and safe delivery to cheap markets around the world. Pakistan should look at China from this perspective. Whatever China is putting in Pakistan by way of CPEC is nothing but corporate investment which will have nothing to do with Pakistan’s democracy or with human rights. It will only benefit China’s economic and political interests. China sees the CPEC as a small part of its larger plan known as ‘One road, one belt’. China has fixed total investment at about 1 trillion dollars in this project, believed to be the world’s largest till now. In June last year, China Development Bank announced 890 billion dollars for 900 projects in 60 countries which includes a 2000km long rail link from Xinxiang to Tehran. Hence, Beijing wants easy and fast access to the energy resources to keep enhancing its productivity capabilities. China gets 60 per cent of its oil requirements from the Middle East; of this 80 per cent is transported via Malacca Strait. This is not only long route (of 9912 miles) but also costly (China spends daily 18 million dollars for 6.3 million barrel of oil). If China imports half of this oil through CPEC, it will be able to save 2 billion dollars a year. The 3000 -km long CPEC will connect Balochistan with Xinxiang, which is undeveloped part of China. In other words, China wants to develop its Xinxiang, at the cost of underdeveloped Balochistan. Coal, wind, solar power and hydro energy projects will help generate 10400 mw of power. It will help contain power shortfall in Pakistan. Pakistan is facing power crunch not because it does not have required capability for power generation but because it does not have required oil for power generation. Pakistan too will have to make heavy investments in the CPEC. Pakistan will have to raise loans to make such investments. CPEC can prove to be East India company for Pakistan. Loans are raised from China; have to be paid by the people of Pakistan. We are becoming addicts of MNC products, be it our tea, tooth brush, biscuits, shampoos or soaps. The US is opposed to the CPEC; BRICS and China are opposed to the US’ imperialism. China is emerging as an alternate to the US. But, being against the US and being against imperialism are two different issues. Iran too is against the US but it is not against the US’ imperialism because both the countries have same capitalistic systems. There is tension in the capitalist camp across the world now, for fulfilling the need for energy resources, mineral deposits and over delivery and consumption of manufactured goods. These tensions were first noticed in Africa where China and the US were first to reach while hunting for energy and mineral resources. Now South Asia is their major hunting ground. This system has survived despite the anarchic conditions. Pakistan’s leanings towards China are not good for Pentagon. Though India has become more important to the US in the aftermath of the cold war, the US will not leave Pakistan alone, and Pakistan continues to be an important ally for the US in South Asia. The US continues to have four army bases in Pakistan, (at Jacobabad, Pisni, Dalbandin and Shamsi). Peaceful, stable and prosperous Pakistan will be in the interest of China and the US. (Sindh Express, November 19 and 21)
UNITED STATES
- US policy for Pakistan will not change, according to an American spokesman but he has reiterated in the same breath that Washington would continue demanding that Pakistan should ‘Do more’. Some analysts believe that this is the US policy of putting Pakistan under pressure. Pakistan should monitor the changing scenario in the US and review its foreign policy. Because the US has already cut the Coalition Support Fund. There is a possibility of further cut in CSF. The US is giving priority to India. Not depending on the US and establishing trade, political and diplomatic relationships with China and Russia is the road ahead. (Khabrain Edit)
AFGHANISTAN
- The Afghan Taliban has registered more successes in Afghanistan. In Bigram, the mujahideen entered an airbase and killed 14 American troops, destroyed 12 tanks and injured 18 others. The target of fidayeen attack was barracks and weapons depot. The mujahideen have also killed four people by attacking German consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif. (Al Qalam Weekly, 18 -24 November)
INDIA
- India keeps violating the ceasefire. On Saturday,four children died in the Indian firing. Ever since the CPEC project started, India has been carrying out its anti-Pak activities. India openly said it is opposed to this project. Hence India can go to any extent to defeat the project. It will be better for both the countries if they keep the past aside and think constructively for the future. This can happen only when there are more people –to- people meetings between the two countries. There is need for more visits by the artists, literary persons and even the politicians. The negative portrayal in each other’s films must stop. If this does not happen, the thick war clouds that are hovering for past seventy years will remain. (Awami Awaz)
- Pakistan has foiled India’s effort to enter its submarine into Pakistan waters. It is believed that Indian submarine was very dangerous with lethal weapons and its target was the coastal area of Balochistan. The purpose was to affect the Sino-Pak joint military exercise and to disturb the CPEC work. Though India has denied the submarine move, Pakistani analysts said Pakistan Navy’s timely action defeated India design. Indian intelligence official were reportedly present in the submarine. (Ummat Edit)
- Pakistan Army has collected debris of an Indian drone that was shot down. Army spokesman in a statement said that the Indian drone entered 60 metres within Rakh Chakri sector. The drone intrusion comes close on the heels of an attempt by an Indian submarine to sneak into Pakistani waters. Fed up with these Indian tactics, Pakistan has decided to raise the issue at global level. Pakistan has often talked peace since history is witness to the fact that both countries have suffered immensely as and when they had gone for war. India too will have to reciprocate to such gestures for peace. (Ibrat Edit)
- Pakistan has decided to give a fitting reply to the Indian forces at the LoC even as it stepped up diplomatic blitzkrieg against India. If India does not stop its aggression, Pakistan will invoke its self-defence option and India’s ill intentions would be thwarted using the fast track war strategy on all the three fronts. Government should immediately appoint an able and capable Foreign Affairs Minister to do solid lobbying in the US, EU, OIC and Central Asia against India’s anti-Pakistan policies. India understands only language of power. (Daily K2 Edit, Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
- In an interview, JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed, said that with the support of US, India has declared unannounced war on LoC. The Pakistani forces are giving a fitting response and this has left the Modi government confused. India is hiding its causalities. JuD will continue to give every kind of possible support to the Kashmiri people. (Ausaf)
- Thousands of people attended funeral of four children who had died in India’s unprovoked firing; the mourners raised slogans against India. (Ummat)
- After successful operation of Pakistan Navy against Indian submarine, Pakistan maritime security agency conducted a successful operation and arrested 45 Indian fishermen along with a number of boats. Arrested fishermen have been sent to Karachi prison where sensitive agency will investigate them. (Ummat)
- Lieutenant General Malik Zafar Iqbal said Pakistan avenged India’s violation of ceasefire within 12 hours. He said that as many 40 Indian soldiers have been killed. India has set up special cell in its intelligence department to create hurdles in the CPEC project. (Urdupoint)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
- Army Chief has announced that Pakistan Army is equally ready for conventional war. Pakistani forces are giving fitting response to India’s aggression. Instead of visiting Turkmenistan, the PM should hold an immediate meeting with the UN Secretary General and give evidence of India’s aggression. Nawaz Sharif should seek the UN intervention. (Ausaf Edit)
- COAS General Raheel Sharif claims that Pakistan Army has become the strongest force in the world. Pakistan Army is ready for all kinds of traditional wars. (Roznama Dunya)
- Irshad Kagzi in his article on the new Army Chief says the continuing silence on the part of government with regards to the new Army Chief is leading to speculation. If the government has already taken the decision, why it is not being made public. Is it all part of some reconciliation under way? This is beyond comprehension. Delaying the announcement will do no good. The fact that the government is not speaking on this issue leads to the speculation that the Army Chief is likely to be given the extension. (Ibrat)
- Pakistan’s Air Force Chief, Sohail Aman, while addressing the first convocation at the Air University Multan Campus said that Pakistan’s Air force has played key role in operation Zarb-e-Azb. In future too PAF will meet the nation’s expectations. (Urdupoint)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
- Daesh is said to be making recruitment from major cities. Its local network reportedly recruited 7 people from Lahore, 2 from Sialkot, and one each from Islamabad, Kasur and Gujranwala and all the 12 have been sent to Syria two weeks ago. (Ummat)
- Former Interior Minister Rehman Malik says Daesh is strengthening its network in Pakistan very fast. Some Pakistanis have gone to Iraq and Egypt for training from Daesh and upon returning home they will join groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, he says. (Khabrain, Ausaf)
- JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed has alleged that under a planned strategy, organisations like Daesh are promoting chaos and terrorism in Pakistan. (Ausaf)
- Myanmar is a Buddhist country and the followers of Buddhism claim that they are peace loving people but contrary to their claims they have made life difficult for Muslims of Myanmar. Now, the Burmese Army is taking part in the genocide of Muslims; its helicopter gunships have fired on a village resulting in 30 deaths. Army has also burned many villages. Images published by Human Rights Watch show burned villages. A humanitarian crisis has emerged in Myanmar since in just two and half months 20,000 Rohingya Muslims have been killed, 10,000 are missing and 5000 women have been raped. Muslims are being killed in various countries like Myanmar but no Islamic country is taking notice or making serious efforts to protect the lives of Muslims. (Al Qalam Weekly Edit, 18-24 November)
SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
- Out of 9000 madrasas in the Sindh, as many as 3000 madarsas are not registered, according to an official survey report. 39 of these madarsas have linkages with terrorist’s outfits. Interior ministry sources said that 16 madarsas of Karachi, 12 from Hyderabad, 7 from Sukkur and 4 from Larkana have been banned. (Ausaf)
- Though the 18th Amendment provided for devolution of powers, right from the day it took over power, the PML (N) government has been ignoring it. The dues to Sindh are mounting and hampering the development of the province. The federal government should implement the 18th Amendment and this can lead to better equation between the Federal and provincial governments. (Sindh Express)
POLITICAL SCENE
- Najam Sethi in his article ‘Challenges- internal and external’ says Nawaz Sharif is committed for the political supremacy. Hence tensions between the Army and the civilian leadership cannot be ruled out. In the past Pakistan pampered militants against Kashmir and Afghanistan. This is boomeranging now as is evident from the colossal bloodshed and unrest across the country. Afghan Taliban, Pakistan Taliban and other sectarian fundamentalists have joined hands today to give tough times to India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is irony that Pakistan’s critics say that Pakistan is the epicentre of militancy and fundamentalism, despite knowing that Pakistan is being targeted by these non-state actors. Due to the rising global pressures, the confrontation is on the rise between the civilian and the Army leadership of Pakistan. Hence there is a need that the ties between the Army and the civilian government should be normalised. (Awami Awaz)
- The PML -N government has taken loans worth Rs 3000 billion in last three years, which has taken the total national debt burden to over Rs. 22,000 billion. (Urdupoint)
- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for Turkmenistan on a two – day official visit from November 25th. The visit will mark agreements in energy, trade and education sectors. He will also discuss about TAPI gas pipeline project. (Urdupoint)
- Zardari will return from abroad to Pakistan after the retirement of the Army Chief General, say observers. (Ausaf)