AFGHANISTAN
1. Commenting g on the Afghan war, American author and eminent historian Webster Tarpley said the US had started the Afghan war to split Pakistan into pieces and that the US has tried to export this war into Pakistan and has been successful. Webster claimed suicide attacks in Pakistan and drone attacks have wreaked havoc in Pakistan and caused a lot of destruction. Webster claimed that on every Tuesday, a meeting is being held in The White House in which President Obama is provided a list by CIA to get sanctions from Obama to target them. (Ummat)
INDIA
1. Pakistan has suffered a loss of USD 87.48 crores in trade with India. It exported only USD 20.30 crore worth items to India, whereas it imported items worth USD 1.7 billion. (Daily Pak)
2. Former AJK PM Sardar Atiq Ahmad Khan opposed giving India the MFN status and said that this would ruin Pakistan’s industries. He said India was Pakistan’s enemy and lakhs of Kashmiris had sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Kashmir. He said this issue should be raised in NA, Senate, provincial assemblies and AJK assembly. (Daily Dharti)
DEFENCE/SECURITY
1. CID anti-terrorism cell has foiled a terrorist conspiracy by seizing a vehicle filled with 150 kg of explosives during an operation in Karachi. Taliban’s targets were the US consulate, MQM’s headquarters at Nine-Zero, Abbasi Shahid hospital and CID and AEC offices. As per secret agencies’ report, 30 to 40 election candidates are on the hit-list of terrorists. Along with terrorist organisations, anti-national elements are spreading hate propaganda. (Jang, Jinnah)
2. Crisis Management Cell has informed the government that Musharraf could be attacked and hence, should be given better security. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
Federal Interior Ministry has once again expressed fear of suicide attacks on former President Musharraf. A communication by the Crisis Management Cell to provinces, interior departments of provinces and other departments states that a suicide attack could take place any time on Musharraf. It could be during his presence in the courts, press conference or election campaign and hence, Musharraf’s security should be beefed up. (Ummat, Jinnah, Kawish)
3.Balochistan, KP and FATA are extremely dangerous areas for foreign election monitoring teams since terrorist have planned to attack foreigners and to kidnap them for ransom. So, on security grounds, foreigners have been advised not to go to these areas. (Jasarat)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1.Al Rahmat Trust organized Dawa congregation at Bahawalpur district’s Saad Manchanabad, Rawalpindi tehsil’s Chwasadeen Shah, Bahawalpur district’s Rahim Yar Khan, Sialkot City, tehsil Phadpur and at Rawalakot (AJK) in which large number of people participated. The Ulema arranged by the Al Rahmat Trust and local Ulema took part in these congregations and spoke on the importance and significance of jihad. Last week, Ghazwat-e-Nabi Conference (Battle Fought by Prophet Muhammad Conference), Hubb-e-Nabi Conference (Love of Prophet Muhammad Conference), and Paigham-e-Shohda Conference (Message of Martyrs Conference) were organized under the Al Rahmat Trust. Local people participated in these conferences in good number and asked the organisers to hold more such programmes. (Al Qalam Weekly 12 April to 18 April)
2.Addressing the last session of a 2-day national medical conference, held under Muslim Medical Mission in Lahore, JuD leader Hafiz Saeed said that the US and Europe considered Muslims taking part in relief activities as a threat. He alleged that via fake and baseless propaganda, the character of Muslims has been maligned. He said that because of Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation and medical mission welfare activities, the nationalist ideology was ending in Sindh and Balochistan. (Ausaf)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. PML-N has decided to bring Maryam Nawaz, daughter of Nawaz Sharif, into politics. Since Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif will be busy campaigning, Maryam will look after Nawaz’s home constituency. She will,however, contest the next elections. (Ummat)
2. MQM’s threat of election boycott was a blackmail tactic which had failed as all powerful quarters have rejected it. London-based MQM leadership was disturbed over the arrest of its terrorists in Karachi and has instructed MQM activists to speed up propaganda over the issue. ‘Internal elements of MQM’ may be behind giving ‘tip off’ about in-party extortionists, terrorists and target killers and a move has been initiated to trace down such internal elements which were working against the party’s interests. (Ummat)
3. Internal strife within JI has increased after the failure of seat adjustment with PML-N. Most JI leaders have to face criticism as all this time could have been spent on seat adjustment with PTI. For first time since 1970, JI will go to elections on its own. (Khabrain)
4. The caretaker government has sold the post of Minister of Excise for a reported Rs. 5 crores to Hassan Sharif, a close friend of Minorities Minister of PPP Mukesh Kumar Chawla. The post was given to Hassan Sharif with the intention that it will help rigging of elections and provide safeguards to selected bureaucrats. (Jasarat)
In a programme titled ‘What Zardari’s silence foretells’, Nazir Naji said that the thought of any change in Pakistan was just wishful thinking. Haroon ur Rashid said that in Pakistan, parties were not as important as individual leaders were. He said that Imran Khan will succeed in getting over 100 votes. (Roznama Duniya)
5. In his column, Hamid Mir compares the current situation with the situation in 2008, and writes that in 2008, the caretaker PM was under Musharraf’s control, but today the caretaker PM listened to President Zardari but does what he deems fit. Mir says that in 2008, the judiciary was not free, whereas today, the judiciary was free. In 2008, journalists were bought but today, secret funds have been frozen. Mir says that in 2008, Musharraf carried out poll rigging through military intelligence, whereas today, military intelligence is not interfering in elections. Mir writes that today, the general public of Pakistan wanted to get rid of electricity crisis, suicide attacks and drone attacks; they wanted the supremacy of law and political stability. Mir says that to bring about these changes, the determination required is seen in Pakistan’s young generation, but is lacking in major political parties. (Jang)
6. Following attacks on politicians, President Zardari and the caretaker PM have given instructions to increase the security of election candidates. (Jang, Urdupoint)
7.Central leader of Muttahida Deeni Mahaz and Central Secretary Information of JUI (Pakistan) who is contesting elections from NA-seat 122, Maulana Muhammad Asim Makhdoom said that Election Commission’s instructions that politicians could not ask for votes in the name of religion were against the Constitution. Makhdoom said that this country was created in the name of religion and hence, politics in Pakistan will be in the name of religion. Makhdoom said that the EC should not take decisions which contradict Islam and the Constitution of Pakistan. (Jasarat)
ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. It is possible that on the 19th April during talks between IMF and Pakistan, Pakistan may be asked to dissolve the Iran gas project for attainment of a new Loan. (Khabrain)
2. Jasarat edit on negotiations with the IMF and WB says debts from IMF were also a reason for increasing economic slavery of Pakistan. (Jasarat Edit)
3.Economist Dr. Akamal Hussain said that countries in South Asia should extend a helping hand in the energy sector and should use their resources to establish the South Asian grid. He also said that countries like Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan had capacities for enhancing power generation which could help meet power needs of the region. He said that by controlling line losses, power could be saved which could also help in curtailing power tariffs. He said that South Asian countries could generate cheap power from water as well. (Awami Awaz, 14 April
PUNJAB
1. IG Punjab Aftab Sultan said that a decision had been taken to establish ‘Central Points of Army Action Force’ which will provide immediate help if needed at sensitive polling booths. Sultan also said that 2.30 lakh Army personnel will be deployed for security during elections and claims that 4000 polling stations were sensitive whereas 4500 polling stations came under B-category and 31500 stations were under C-category. Sultan added that for every sensitive polling station, 2 police personnel, 6 new recruited personnel and 8 volunteers will be deployed. (Jasarat)
SINDH
1. NAB intelligence has arrested Sindh provincial secretary Syed Sajjad Haider on allegations of siphoning out Rs. 16 crore from workers welfare funds. (Jasarat)
2 In his article, Amjad Memon says that PPP and other parties in Sindh including the 10-party alliance of Sindhi nationalist groups are facing a lot of internal fighting over ticket distribution. PPP seemed to be very divided; it still hopes to return to power as is evident from it approaching people like Irbab Rahim, who was close to Musharraf. Rahim is also amongst those suspected for Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. (Awami Awaz)
BALOCHISTAN
Baloch National Front has declared a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike from 5th to 11th May in Balochistan to protest against elections in Balochistan. (Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt)
BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal met the Governor Nawab Magsi and told him that transparent and fair elections were not possible when killings were going on. (Daily Intekhab)
In a statement released by Baloch National Front, it was said that it had been decided not to participate in elections. It was said that elections were no solution to Baloch problems. Experts say that the weeklong protests may affect elections as voters may not be able to step out to cast votes. The protesting parties have also given a call to boycott TV channels during these days. Baloch Republican Party and Baloch Republican Students’ Organization have rejected elections and have urged people not to take part either. A protest rally was taken out in Quetta which was attended by women and children. Speaking at this rally, Baloch leaders said that operations still continued in Balochistan and abductions and killings were still continuing in the province. They said that the objective behind their agitation was freedom. (Awami Awaz)
Baloch Republican Party’s spokesperson Sher Mohammad Bugti said that the enemies of Balochs were using force to maintain their stranglehold; he accused them of taking help of killings after they realized they will not succeed in elections. He said that some selfish elements were helping enemies by spreading the word that everything was fine, and no operations were taking place. He said that the people were aware of what was happening daily. (Daily Intekhab)
Daily Intekhab says that election campaign has not started in large parts of Balochistan for various reasons. In an edit the daily sayss that an important section of the society has appealed for the boycott of elections due to the extraordinary conditions in the province. Edit says this appeal seems to be effective as people who had been actively involved in elections earlier, are not so enthusiastic this time. Edit says that the law and order situation of the province is not good. It says that during last elections, three important parties – National Party, Balochistan National Party and Pakhtunkhwa Mili Party had boycotted elections. It says that conditions after elections had made them uneasy. This time, they were participating in elections but their success remains uncertain. Edit says that the establishment had created conditions that compelled them to participate. The influential class wants that those clamoring for betterment of Balochistan should get decimated. (Daily Intekhab Edit)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1. 6 people were killed in deadly clashes between two groups in the Thor area of Chilas. Riots broke out between the Nazir and Otal groups on a dispute over grazing land. The Nazir group killed 2 people from Otal group, who in revenge, burnt houses of people from the Nazir Group. 4 people were burnt alive in this, including women and children. (Bang-e-Sahar, Baad-e-Shimal)
2. CM Mehdi Shah has promised to make 11,000 employees permanent by this June. (Baad-e-Shimal)
3. Gilgit-Baltistan government has decided to take stern action against contractors not completing development works even eight years after the target date. Deputy Commissioner has given instructions for stern action to be taken against officers who cleared the bills of contractors on completion of just 10% work. (Bang-e-Sahar)
4. Bang-e-Sahar edit says that the operation started in Tanger against criminals and wanted people should be started across Gilgit-Baltistan. Edit says that maintaining peace in the region is the responsibility of the administration. (Bang-e-Sahar Edit)
5. Bang-e- Shimal expresses concern over the rising culture of keeping and showing-off arms in public. The district administration should take strict action against such offenders and ensure the safety of people and property. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
6. Bang-e- Shimal says that that an agreement is there between the federal and the Gilgit-Baltistan governments for sharing the revenue generated from tax collection on NCP vehicles. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
