2. Afghan Taliban have shot down a US plane used for transport in the Darzab district and an F-16 aircraft dropped near the Kabul airport. All on-board were killed.   Taliban destroyed the biggest US oil depot in the Parwan province; 600 tanker trucks and other vehicles were burnt. Taliban have started hard-hitting attacks on allied forces ; in recent attacks, 153 allied forces have been killed. (Al Qalam Weekly, 12 April to 18 April)

INDIA
1. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed said that they will not allow Pakistan to become a market of India. He added that India has been conspiring to make Pakistan barren by controlling Jhelum, Chenab, Ladakh and Kashmiri rivers. Addressing the ninth annual ‘Sirat-un-Nabi’ conference in Mehmood Park, Saeed asked the authorities to stop any kind of talks with India and warned that Kashmir, with all its dams, would be liberated through jihad, as India did not understand the language of peace. JuD Chief  urged the Ulema to play their role in bringing the community on a platform. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

2.JuD (AJK) chief Maulana Abdul Aziz Alwi said that the solution of the Kashmir issue was only through military. He said instead of slogans like ‘accession to Pakistan’ or ‘self-autonomous Kashmir’, freedom be obtained from India and then, decide what status the Kashmiris want. He said that Jud never talked of Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan, nor does it talk of it now. (Roznama Duniya)

3. India and China have expressed concern over the withdrawal of the allied forces from Afghanistan. It was said that China was concerned about a revolt in its Muslim majority Xingjian province whereas India feared a drastic change in the situation in J&K. China and India would, for the first time, begin talks with Afghanistan in this regard. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

UNITED STATES
1. Roznama Duniya is happy about the increase in US aid to Pakistan. It says this shows  that  finally, the US and its allies have admitted that without Pakistan’s support, controlling the situation in Afghanistan is not possible. Edit writes that the Obama administration has been informed that without Pakistan’s cooperation, a safe exit from Afghanistan was not possible, nor will it be possible to control Afghanistan’s internal affairs. Afghanistan is not yet politically stable, its security forces are also experienced whereas Taliban possess destructive weapons and are experienced in fighting long battles. Hence, without Pakistan’s support, extremist powers could again get control. The other issue facing the US is that of the return of its troops for which the route via Pakistan is cheaper and safer. Pakistan went ahead with handing over Gwadar Port’s control to China and signing gas pipeline deal with Iran, despite opposition from the US; this indicates that now Pakistan is cutting down its dependence on the West. Hence, increasing aid could be an effort to regain Pakistan’s confidence. Edit concludes that whatever may be the reason, now Pakistan should take advantage of this change in US stance and make the best out of the opportunity in Afghanistan. (Roznama Duniya)

DEFENCE
1.Army chief Gen. Kayani has made several senior appointments and transfers.  Maj. Gen. Nasir, Maj. Gen. Farhan, and Maj. Gen. Naved have been transferred to ISI.   Maj. Gen Zahid is made as Director General- Personnel in GHQ, , Maj. Gen Dastagir –DGO&M in GHQ). Maj. Gen. Muazzam as DG Heavy Industries Taxilla, and Maj. Gen. Abid in Log area Peshawar.  Brig. Anjum Inayat is  moved  as  GOC Aviation, Brig. Sani to 3A Division, Brig. Humayun to artillery division, Brig. Anwar to Military College Engineering. Brig Naeem to 25 mechanized division and Brig. Amir Aslam to 15th division. Maj. Gen Tayeb will be Sector Commander Balochistan and Maj. Gen. Amir Aslam GCO Sialkot.  More appointments and transfers are expected in the coming days. (Jang, Roznama Duniya, Khabrain)

2.70th Formation Commanders’ Conference was held at GHQ under the chairmanship of COAS Gen. Kayani to review security arrangements for May 11th election. The meeting was told that there would be another meeting between the Election Commission and Director General, Military Operation on the issue of security arrangements for polls. (Ibrat, Jang, Urdupoint, Roznama Duniya)

3. A caretaker CM of a province, while presiding over a high-level meeting of bureaucrats in Lahore, said that he had threat to his life from the country’s prime intelligence agency. Taking note of his concern, it has been decided to take up the matter at a higher level. (Jang)

4. Federal government has set up a national authority on anti-terrorism, which will be an independent department answerable directly to the PM. (Jang)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Under the aegis of ‘Al Murabitun’, the final round of elocution competition was organized at Markaz Osman o Ali, Bahawalpur, on the topic ‘Muhaddisin Kiram and Jihad’ (Interpreters of Hadis and jihad). 37 students participated representing all provinces and AJK. The stage and was decorated with jihadi banners and flags. In his address, the chief guest Mufti Abdur Rauf said that they wanted to transform the youth into great interpreter of Hadis, similar to Muhaddisin (interpreters of the past) who were scholars and brave soldiers. Fidayeen of Islam from Markaz Osman o Ali-Bahawalpur have ruined the ambitions of the enemy and have sacrificed their lives for the supremacy of knowledge of Islam.. (Al Qalam Weekly, 12 April to 18 April)

2. Amir-ul- Mujahideen Maulana Azhar Masood announced construction of five mosques this year. The foundation of a mosque ‘Masjid Abu Hurera’ has been laid in Karachi by Maulana Ammar, the younger brother of Maulana Azhar Masood. The work on mosque ‘Masjid Hamid Gul Shahid Butt’ started in Khelagaon in Khaar. Efforts are underway for buying land for construction of the remaining 3 mosques. (Al Qalam Weekly, 12 April to 18 April)

3. An election office of an independent candidate from NA-41 Abdul Khaliq, situated at Angoor Adda, was blown up in a bomb blast. (Jinnah, Daily Intekhab)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. In an interview, JI Chief Syed Munawar Hassan said that PML-N betrayed them on the issue of seat-adjustment. He said that PML-N had done same thing with PDMA and IJI in the past. Hassan claimed that now there was nothing left for reconciliation with PML-N and states that it may be possible that Nawaz Sharif got instructions from somewhere not have electoral alliance with religious parties and added that they will try to make sure that religious votes are not split. (Ummat)

2.  Former Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif demanded the transfer of NAB, NADRA, FBR and other vital department officials appointed at the federal government level , in order for the elections to be transparent. He alleged that high officials of these departments belong to PPP and may influence elections’ transparency. (Khabrain)

3. MQM deputy convener Farooq Sattar has claimed that operations have started against MQM. He said that activists are being harassed during house to house search. Sattar states that more than half the offices of MQM have been closed down and raids on other offices were under way. Sattar alleged that the election process is being made suspicious. (Jasarat)

4. Sunni Ittehadul Council Pakistan Secretary Gen. Haji Mohammad Hanif Tayyab has in a letter to President Zardari has cautioned that foreign spies could enter Pakistan in the guise of election observers and repeat a Raymond Davis saga. (Khabrain)

5. JUI leader and former Senator Hafiz Husain Ahmed has said that the country is preparing for another NRO. He said that Musharraf has come to Pakistan at US and UK’s behest and he could sabotage the entire election; hence, the ECP should cancel Musharraf’s nomination papers. (Jang)

6. Shakeel Naek reports that road blocks are being created for PPP and its leaders as elections get closer, according to PPP sources; the establishment that had allowed PPP to stay in office for 5 years, may soon start playing games with the party and with Zardari; this means that PPP will not be allowed to form government at either the federal level or in Sindh. Already Yusuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf have already been ousted; Chaudhary Mukhtar has become a bitter foe of Shujaat Chaudhary while Hina Rabbani has stepped out of the race. Naek goes on to detail how PPP is losing ground in Sindh’s interiors. He says that due to the fact that Zardari does not have any powers anymore, he is facing attacks. He uses the example of the recent Lahore High Court ruling, according to which Zardari cannot allot party tickets to PPP candidates and hence, the job has been handed over to Faryal Talpur and Ovais Muzzafar Tapi. Meher brothers of Ghotki have gone in for an alliance with Mian Mithoo and thus, both Mehers and Mian Mithoo are openly opposing the official PPP candidate Khalid Lund in Ghotki. Senior leaders in Nawabshah are not happy with new faces being brought in. Naek says that this has made conditions better for MQM in Sukkur. Pir Mazhar ul Haq, the senior PPP leader has also stepped out of race while Murad Ali and Sadiq Memon stand disqualified because of their dual citizenship. Now that Sherazis and Malkanis have deserted PPP at Thatta, conditions are getting tough for Ovais Tapi. Another major loss is Sardar Amir Bhutto who has extended his hand to PPP (Shaheed Bhutto). Naek says PPP seems on shaky grounds. (Awami Awaz, 11 April)

7. Daily Pak says that many assembly members either hid their actual income or did not pay the income-tax. Edit says that though it had been said that bank defaulters and tax stealers would also be barred from taking part in elections, it has been observed that returning officers were just busy in judging candidates on the basis of Articles 62 and 63. Edit says that the returning officers did not even have the complete list of bank defaulters or tax evaders and hence, many were able to pass through the filter. Edit says that it was quite shameful that the general public was maintaining its records properly but the leaders do not care for rules and regulations. Edit says that the ECP should take action in this regard and recover hidden money from such contestants. (Daily Pak Edit)

8. Jasarat edit says US has increased the Coalition Support Fund by 40% and states that USD 1.40 billion has been allotted for Pakistan. Edit writes that 40% increase in US Defense budget for Pakistan was alarming and states that whenever this budget is increased by Americans, the people of Pakistan have suffered more. Edit reiterates that the increase of funds to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund will increase the threat to security in Pakistan. (Jasarat Edit)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. New government will be facing a greater financial crunch since after 2014, Pakistan will stop getting military and civilian aid from the US under the Kerry Lugar Bill and the Coalition Support Fund. (Daily Dunya)

2. Qurban Baloch talks about the oil shortage leading to shutdown of 15 thermal power stations. He says that the caretaker government has suspended the subsidy of Rs. 16.4 billion on agricultural tube wells. According to sources, the caretaker government is not ready to implement the outgoing government’s orders for agricultural tube-wells, so that power stations can get oil and the growing power deficit can be contained. Baloch due to the shutdown of the 15 thermal power stations, power deficits have exceeded 5000 MW and caretaker PM has sanctioned Rs. 20 billion for oil supply which will now make the power subsidy amount rise to Rs.280 billion. However, the Finance Ministry has said it was not possible to consider any new subsidies and hence, maximum power generation be done with existing resources so that the situation can be handled during summer. The report says it is not possible to give fresh subsidies for agricultural tube-wells and this matter can be kept before the new government.  (Kawish)

3. It has been decided to import 7 lakh tons of furnace oil over the next three months for electricity generation. (Jinnah)

4. Jang edit on load shedding writes that in Punjab alone, 35,000 industrial units have closed down rendering lakhs of people jobless. Yet, Water and Electricity Secretary said that for another 3 years, ending load-shedding was not possible. This was a matter of grave concern. (Jang Edit)

5. Baad-e-Shimal says as the electricity crisis was worsening, the government should pay special attention to control load-shedding and should also take action against consumers not paying their electricity bills. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAH (NWFP/FATA)
1. Peshawar High Court has said that the federal Interior Secretary and the deputy and additional secretaries should be arrested and their salaries stopped. The court had taken serious note the government has not implemented its orders that FC personnel posted to other parts of the country be sent back to KP. (Kawish, Jinnah)

2. Tehrik Suba Hazara and Hazara Quami Mahaz will jointly contest elections. Baba Haider Zaman and Qazi Azhar, leaders of the two parties announced that the formation of Hazara province was their primary concern. (Daily Hazara News)

PUNJAB
1. Notifications were issued for appointment and transfer of 139 Assistant Commissioners, 2 additional IGs and 7 officials of grade 20. (Khabrain)

2. The Lahore High Court has admitted a writ plea for postponement of elections. The applicant has opined that the scrutiny of nominations was not done properly. (Jinnah)

SINDH
1.Tension has escalated over the writing poll slogans on the walls in Malir’s Jafar Tayyar Society in Karachi between MQM and Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslim. The   situation could end up in armed fighting any moment. Rangers have been deployed to control the situation. (Ummat)

2. It is learnt there could be change in the caretaker set up of Sindh in the next 48 hours. Sindh’s 10 party members’ alliance has demanded the CEC to remove Sindh Governor and caretaker CM. (Jang)

3. The Interior Ministry has banned the carrying and display of weapons in Sindh   including licensed weapons in view of the law and order situation. (Jasarat)

BALOCHISTAN
1. Addressing a gathering at Kharan, Akhtar Mengal appealed to the world community and European Union to intervene in Pakistan’s elections. Mengal said we do not want a democracy of cantonments. He said that there were several issues confronting the Balochs but the administration did not take any interest in them. He claimed that had the government been sincere, the conditions would have been different today. Mengal said he was disappointed that EU was not coming to Balochistan as it had sent its emissaries even to areas with conditions worse than those in Balochistan. Mengal said that if the PML-N leadership tried, it could take out Balochistan from its current problems. He also informed that a committee had been formed for seat adjustment with PML-N. (Awami Awaz, Ummat, Daily Intekhab)

2. JI (Balochistan) has condemned the abduction of former Advocate General and eminent law expert Salahuddin Mengal and demanded immediate and action against abductors. (Jasarat)

3.  Nawa-i-Waqt has welcomed SC taking notice of the embezzlement of development funds in Balochistan. Edit says that though it was necessary for the judiciary to guide people going against the law, the judiciary should not take the burden of carrying out of the actual work, as that was the responsibility of the municipal departments. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

POK/ G-B NEWS
1. Pervez Musharraf will visit Skardu on 25 April, according to sources. (Baad-e-Shimal)

2. Diamir Passport Office has not yet started functioning even after a month. (Baad-e-Shimal)

3. An agreement has been reached between the Gilgit-Baltistan government and the Ikhwat Foundation on a loan scheme for unemployed youth. In the first phase, Rs. 2 crore would be advanced. (Baad-e-Shimal)

4. Baad-e-Shimal edit expressed concern that for the past 11 months, teachers in government-run IT centres have not been paid their salaries; this is resulting in shut down of 32 IT centres.  The government should take notice of this serious issue; Not only salaries  should be paid to these IT teachers, they also should be made  permanent without delay. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)