TURKEY/BANGLADESH
1.The Turkish Ambassador Babar Hazlaan called on JI Chief Syed Munawar Hassan at Mansoora and discussed national, international and regional issues. Both condemned the targeting of opposition leaders in Bangladesh and demanded that the Hasina government end state atrocities. (Jasarat)
2.Al Qalam Weekly editorial says that secularists and Islamists in Bangladesh are face-to-face and the situation is slipping towards civil war. (Al Qalam Weekly Edit, 12 April to 18 April)
CHINA-GWADAR
1. In his article, Pervez Ali Soomro says Gwadar Port could prove to be very useful for China, Afghanistan and Middle East countries because they want sea routes. A highway is being developed with the help of Chinese which will help goods from across the world reach Gwadar. Soomro says powerful countries of this belt are engaged in a political war which can also be called the cold war of modern times. He says that the US could go to any extent against any one like it did in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. Soomro says that drone attacks indicate that Pakistan too could be punished similarly. He says that there is also a fear hanging in the air that Pakistan may get entangled in others’ wars as powerful countries have conflicting vested interests in this port. (Ibrat)
INDIA
1.In his column, Arif Bahar writes that a storm was brewing in PPP AJK parliamentary committee. A group of members, along with Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhary, wanted changes and it was said that former federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Wattoo was in support of it but the move failed because PPP leadership doesn’t want changes in AJK until the election are over. (Jasarat)
2.Indian Army has claimed to have seized heavy artillery from a mujahideen outfit in Kupwara. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
UNITED STATES
1. US President Obama has suggested a 40% increase in financial aid to Pakistan in the US budget, towards overseas operations. (Roznama Duniya)
DEFENCE
1.Former President Musharraf has been trying to meet Army officers for the last one week, but all, including Army chief Gen Kayani, Director Gen. ISI Zahir ul Islam, Corps Commander (Rawalpindi) Lt Gen. Khalid Nawaz, and Chief of Gen. Staff Lt. Gen. Rashid Mehmood have refused to meet him. (Roznama Duniya)
2. Pakistan Navy has demanded an increase in its budget as it has to face difficulties in taking care of naval assets and conducting crucial operations. This report says in the last few years, Pakistan’s Navy’s budget has been decreased from 18.7% to 9.7%. (Khabrain)
3. In Geo TV’s programme ‘Aaj Kamran Khan ke Saath’, host Kamran Khan while analysing Pakistan test firing Hatf IV, said that Pakistan’s defence system had improved with successfully test firing Hatf IV. He added that Pakistan’s missile programme was considered more advanced compared to India’s. He said that Pakistan had already tested a range of missiles that can target any area in India. Speaking on the programmed, defence analyst Shahzad Chaudhary said that India and Pakistan were on an equal level in defence technology. He said that since India wanted to target other continents also, its range of missiles was wider; he said that since Pakistan’s target is limited to the region, its missile range is limited. (Jang)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1.Lashkar-e-Islam and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have elected Mangal Bagh as their common chief in KP and tribal areas. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Khabrain)
2. In his column, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed discusses the on-going terrorism in Pakistan. He says that a few circles link the cause of terrorism to Afghan jihad and some consider that Pakistan’s involvement in J&K freedom struggle is the cause. Saeed negates these views and says that based on historical facts, terrorism in Pakistan had begun with the formation of Pakistan and the base of terrorism against Pakistan was laid by Hindus. Saeed writes that before independence, when Muslims in India started pressing for their own nation, the Congress had to give in but Congress leaders, including Gandhi and Nehru were certain that ultimately, India will be united. Saeed writes that holding the two nation theory as false and trying to obstruct the formation of Pakistan was the first terrorism against Pakistan. Saeed claims that the second act of terrorism against Pakistan was the killing of lakhs of Muslims who had asked for Pakistan. He says that the third terrorist attack against Pakistan was the incorrect distribution of assets and the fourth attack was water aggression. He writes that with British support, India took away Pakistan’s share of dams and canals. The fifth act of terrorism, according to Saeed, was done on Jammu Kashmir, Hyderabad, Junagadh and Manawadar. Saeed writes that these are just a few examples to prove that India is Pakistan’s enemy and that it wanted to wipe out Pakistan’s existence. He says that India is Pakistan’s real enemy and hence, the on-going terrorism in Pakistan is linked to India. Saeed refers to the Indian Home Minister’s admittance that Hindu extremist organisations were involved in attack on Mecca masjid, Malegaon and Samjhauta Express incidents and says that it is not just extremist outfits but the Indian government and the Indian Army that were involved as well. Saeed writes that whether it is Congress or BJP, both were anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan. (Roznama Duniya)
3. Talhe Assaif says that the ‘Dawra-e-Tarbiya’ is intended to create a religious atmosphere. It will have 40 sessions and these provide knowledge on 40 things which are good for religious and spiritual revival. Assaif lists the 40 things taught during these sessions and in this list, the 28th thing is physical exercise and 29th thing is the benefits and education of jihad. (Al Qalam Weekly, 12 April to 18 April)
4. Eminent religious scholar and Prof at Karachi University Noor Ahmed Shahtaz has condemned the removal of texts of Quran, Islamic history and Nazarya-e-Pakistan from the syllabus. He said that attacks are being carried out against the ideological foundation of Pakistan to reduce the force of Muslims. He was speaking at a seminar organized by Ahl-e-Sunnat Karachi on the topic of Islamic Education System in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. (Jasarat)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1.Former federal Secretary for Interior and former IG Sindh Kamal Shah could be appointed as the caretaker federal Interior Minister. He had played an important role during the Lal Masjid operation. (Ummat)
2.After disappointment from PML-N and PTI, religious parties which were earlier a part of MMA have begun to come closer. Yesterday, a session in this regard took place at the residence of Secretary Gen of JI Liyaqat Baloch in which JUI’s Qari Zawar Bahadur, JUI-F’s Maulana Amjad Khan, Islami Tehrik’s Hafiz Kazim Riza, JUI (Senior)’s Maulana Hussain Ahmed Awan, JI Deputy Secretary Gen. Dr. Farid Paracha, and others participated. And discussed seat-adjustment. They hope to come up with some good news within the next 3 days. (Ummat)
3.Nawaz Sharif has hired a helicopter from a Princeley Jet Company for election campaigning. It will be flown by 2 Pakistani pilots along with an Egyptian technician. Party sources say the expenditure will be borne by the party. (Kawish)
4. In his column, Nazir Naji writes about small parties enticing bigger political parties for seat adjustment and trying to gain maximum benefits. Naji says that Nawaz Sharif has been fooled in the past; hence, he is avoiding seat adjustment with other parties, but Imran is inexperienced and is getting flattered. (Roznama Duniya)
5. In his article, Wahid Paras says though Musharraf makes tall claims of not being scared of anyone as he hadn’t done anything wrong, this was his effort to hide the fear he may be experiencing over the treatment he is getting at the courts. For the first time in Pakistan’s history, a former dictator is being treated the way Musharraf is being treated. He says that Musharraf is facing serious charges relating to the assassinations of Benazir Bhutto and Akbar Bugti and still graver charges of treason. He says that earlier courts always acted as morale boosters for former dictators and had always been lenient with them. Paras says that though Musharraf hasn’t been put on ECL, he has been banned from moving abroad; there are certain apprehensions that Musharraf may try to escape from the country as he has no other option left to save his life. Due to these apprehensions, Paras says Musharraf may be taken into custody or a strict watch may be kept on his movements. (Ibrat)
6. Jasarat editorial is on how former dictator Musharraf came into power, faced exile from Pakistan and returned to Pakistan. In spite of losing power and position, Musharraf was living in a delirium that his actions which badly affected Pakistan were good. (Jasarat Edit)
7.In his article, Mohammad Bux Dahiri says that the EC seems to be working under a lot of pressure, most of it from behind the curtain. (Awami Awaz)
8.Editorials have appeared on PTI manifesto promising to correct all wrongs. ‘Nawa-i-Waqt’ said that PTI omitted the issue of Kalabagh dam and hence, its media manager should clarify whether an important issue was ignored due to pressure or was it by mistake. (Daily Pak Edit, Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. 18 to 22 hours of unannounced load-shedding was observed in different parts of the country. There is currently a deficit of 5500 MW and 500 industrial units were closed in Sialkot. People came out on the streets in Gujranwala, Qasur and Lodhran, and blockaded the WAPDA office. (Khabrain)
2. Three power plants – Japan Power, SEPICO Power, and Saba Power – with a combined capacity of 340 MW have stopped working due to non-availability of furnace oil. 7 more power plants with 1600MW capacity have also stopped working. (Daily Pak)
3. Under instructions from caretaker PM Khosa, the WAPDA chairman has been stripped off his powers due to his failure to control load-shedding. (Jang, Urdupoint)
4.Dr. Samar Mubarakmand said that Pakistan’s biggest problem was corruption. He added that the Thar Coal Project fund was also misappropriated under political influence. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
5. Pakistanis living in foreign countries have sent USD 10.34 billion exchange to Pakistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
SINDH
1.Nabil Gobel, who recently left PPP to join MQM, said that another powerful PPP leader from Badin is likely to leave PPP and join PML-F. Sources say once this leader quits PPP, it would weaken PPP in Sindh since this leader is believed to have been very close to Zardari. (Awami Awaz, 10 April)
2. CID Counter-Terrorism arrested TTP’s regional commander Bashir Khan from Sohrab Goth in Karachi and recovered one Kalashnikov and 2 hand grenades from him. The ‘Jasarat’ report gives the name as Bashir Khan Mangro and claims that Bashir belongs to South Waziristan. (Bang-e-Sahar, Jang, Jang)
3. Agencies have reported that Karachi is on hit-list during elections. Banned groups like TTP, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jundullah are conspiring against Karachi in order to disturb law and order situation. 33 very important personalities could be attacked by these groups; these 33 include 10 politicians like Ovais Muzzafar Patti, 12 religious figures, 2 media persons, 6 police officials, and one judge. This report from agencies says that even Bilawal House and foreign consulate offices along with other important structures could be hit in Karachi. (Kawish)
4. Two police constables and 5 PPP local office bearers were killed in Karachi. In the last 7 months, over 35 CID police personnel have been killed by terrorists. (Jang)
5. A delegation of Sindh Writers and Thinkers Forum called on the Election Commission Ibrahim Fakhruddin and termed the role of Sindh caretaker government and governor as suspicious on grounds of favouritism. They said that free and fair elections were impossible in the presence of the current officials in Sindh. This delegation said that the caretaker set up in Sindh was not neutral the way it was in Punjab. It said that the Sindh Governor belonged to a political party and most of the caretaker ministers had political backgrounds. (Ummat)
PUNJAB
1.In his column, Irfan Siddiqui questions why large scale transfer of bureaucrats in Punjab is happening when the elections are going to take place in the 4 provinces as well as in Islamabad and tribal areas. (Jang)
BALOCHISTAN
1.Militants blew up 18-inch gas pipeline in Naseerabad area of Balochistan which had been repaired only the previous night. (Jang)
2. The withdrawal of NATO and American equipment via Chaman has been speeded up. (Ummat)
POK/G-B NEWS
1. Former ISI Chief Gen. (Retd.) Hamid Gul said that local government was involved in spreading communal disharmony in Gilgit-Baltistan. Reacting to his statement, former President of Balwaristan National Front Safdar Ali said that the statement by Hamid Gul had revealed the actual policy of PPP’s federal government. The President of the Balwaristan National Students’ Organization (BNSO) Tauseef Hassan said that even secret agencies were involved in conspiracies in Gilgit-Baltistan. (Bang-e-Sahar)
2. People in Ghanche were being forced to live a stone-age life because of no water or concrete roads. Despite allocation of lakhs of rupees annually, no development work was being carried out by the administration. Elected representatives were not giving any attention to the problems faced by locals and the dejected people were considering migrating to other areas. (Baad-e-Shimal)
3.Excavator machines brought for constructing dam for saving villages from the flow of river in Skardu were being lent for Rs.1000 to private companies on an hourly basis by the district administration. (Baad-e-Shimal)
4. Baad-e-Shimal editorial on PML-N’s manifesto for Gilgit-Baltistant says that the most important need of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan is to obtain the status of a constitutional province of Pakistan. If any party that is able to fetch an agreement with the federal government, other problems would be resolved automatically and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan would remember this party and its leader as they remember Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
5. Bang-e-Sahar editorial says that now wheat scandal has come up, after the sale of teachers’ vacancies scandal. In the past year, the quota for wheat was 1.5 million sacks for Gilgit-Baltistan but after some understanding between the CM and the President, it was raised to 2 million sacks. Investigations have revealed embezzlement of more than half of 1.5 million sacks. Edit says that though NAB was very slow in its approach, it was expected the next government will take stern action against such malpractices and Mehdi Shah and Co. will not find a place to run. Edit goes on to say that the Gilgit-Baltistan government still has 2 years left in office and hence, CM Mehdi Shah should correct all wrongs. Edit advises Shah to come back from Islamabad and discharge his duties in Gilgit-Baltistan. (Bang-e-Sahar Edit)
6. Baad-e-Shimal editorial asks the Gilgit-Baltistan government to take notice of the fact that the contracted employees of the general infrastructure development department are not paid for the past 4 months. These workers accepted low wages hopping to get permanent employment and hence, the government should at least ensure their salaries on time. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
7. Speaking to ‘Khabrain’, JKLF leader Yasin Malik urged Pakistan’s political parties to show commitment to the Kashmir issue during their election campaigns. He urged for inclusion of resolution of Kashmir issue in their electoral agenda. Syed Ali Gilani urged political parties’ leaderships to unite on the Kashmir issue. (Khabrain)
