UNITED STATES
1. ANP-UK chapter, in a press conference has appealed to western countries to take notice of militant Taliban attacks in KP province. ANP-Britain president Mehfooz Jaan said that since Pakistan has left us alone we are now at the mercy of terrorists. (Jang)
2. Attorney General Yasemeen Sehgal told the Lahore High Court that it cannot hear JuD Chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed against drone attacks since the drone attacks are not taking place in Punjab. He said the case can be heard by the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Omer Atta disagreed with him saying that drone attacks were an issue of gross human rights violations and that in the public interest any person can raise this issue at any court of justice. (Jasarat)
DEFENCE
1. Shakeel Naek says that the Crisis Management Cell’s report on banned groups sent to provinces has triggered panic in police and law enforcement agencies. He writes that the report revealed that TTP has plans to attack 40 candidates during the polls to put pressure on the Election Commission and the government to defer the polls. He states that the Balochistan Liberation Army, BNA and LeJ are now much closer to the TTP, according to the report, and that they are all targeting common foes in Karachi, Balochistan and KP. He further writes that this report states that LeJ and TTP have together decided to step up their actions in Punjab, thus triggering panic. Naek states that the report has also claimed that militants from LeJ and groups like Sipah-e-Sahaba and LeT are using the umbrella of Muttahida Deeni Mahaz for their protection and are using a political platform to further their agenda. A letter from this Crisis Management Cell has stated that there are plans to target key leaders in the country and has asked all provinces to step up security measures. Following these two letters, the Sindh Home Ministry has directed the Rangers and police to tighten security for all candidates and leaders in Sindh. (Awami Awaz)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1.Mullah Nazir group has closed down the offices of candidates contesting from South Waziristan sub division Wana. Sources said that former MNA Maulana Abdul Malik and other hopeful candidates had to pay fines. A key functionary of Mullah Nazir group, speaking on phone, has however denied collecting fines. He also claimed that they are not against the election but due to the deteriorating situation they had put a ban on opening of election offices in Rustom Bazaar.
2.Dawar-e-Tarbiya (Training Session) begun in Madrasa Jamia Al Noor in Karachi. Maulana Azhar Masood designed the course for the week-long programme which has attracted youth in large numbers. A delegation of Al Rahmat toured the district Saeed Bin Zaid in Karachi and met various Ulema to introduce them to the work of Al Rahmat and invite them to attend Dawar-e-Tarbiya. (Al Qalam Weekly)
MUHARRAF TROUBLES
1.ON the way to his house from the court after the arrest warrant, Musharraf contacted an Arab prince and some friends in the West. The former chief of the sensitive agencies in Dubai has also got busy trying to get safe exit for Musharraf. Musharraf on the phone informed of the current situation and threat to his life. The source informed that in his calls, Musharraf thanked an Arab prince, his last call he ended saying, “see you soon”. However since Musharraf’s name is included in Exit Control List, his leaving the country appears impossible. (Roznama Dunya)
2. Former Chief of ISI Gen Hamid Gul said that this perception the Army will protect Pervez Musharraf is wrong and stated that the Army will not react to the cases against Musharraf nor will it protect him. (Ummat)
3.A survey conducted by a media group with the support of Gallup claims that 43% of Pakistanis support the arrest of former President Pervez Musharraf. The report states that the survey was done between 30 March to 6 April and samples for the survey were collected from all provinces. (Jasarat, Ummat)
4. Ummat claims that Musharraf wanted to flee from Pakistan for the last 3 days since he was afraid of judicial activities but his efforts to run away failed and all concerned departments were unhelpful and silent to his requests. The report states that even his friends refused to meet him. (Ummat)
5. Talal Bugti chief of Jamhuri Watan Party said that if Zulfikar Ali Bhutto can be hanged in connection with Qasuri murder case, then Musharraf can also be hanged for the murder of Akbar Bugti. (Ummat)
6.Nazir Naji condemns Musharraf for escaping from the court like a coward and recalls that Z.A. Bhutto had bravely refused to leave the country. (Roznama Dunya)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. National Party leader Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch said that right to rule, right to property, right to privileges and attainment of welfare aren’t possible without organizing and uniting people. He hoped that people will defeat corrupt candidates in the elections. He was speaking on the occasion of many reputed and respected persons joining National Party along their supporters in Turbat. He said that absence of popular power is the cause of oppression in Balochistan. (Daily Intekhab)
2. Jang asked the Election Commission not to keep the list of reserved seats of women, minority members in federal as well as provincial assemblies a secret. (Jang Edit)
3. Ibran says whether it is PPP or PML (N) or even PTI, none of the parties have presented anything concrete in their election manifestos. (Ibrat Edit)
Irfan Siddiqui accuses the caretaker government of working under the influence of some other power, which he leaves the reader in no doubt is PPP. He says Zardari gave safe exit to Musharraf and now also he might manage to escape from Pakistan with internal support. (Jang)
4. Arif Bahar writes that ANP is offering blood in KP whereas the life of every political activist in Balochistan is at the stake since Baloch militants want to sabotage the election process. The Baloch militants want the continuation of violence and chaos which will keep the window open for international forces to insert their noses into the affairs of Balochistan. Arif Bahar writes that the central leadership of PML-N stands side-by-side with Baloch nationalists but its provincial president Sanaullah Zehri has become the target of Baloch militancy. (Jasarat)
ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. In the federal cabinet meeting it was revealed that 66% of the total electricity produced in Pakistan is spent in Punjab. (Roznama Dunya)
2. Sources have said that the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming elections have started under the vigilance of the Pakistan Army. (Daily Pak)
3. Port Qasim Authority has abolished development projects on two islands, Bandu and Bundel. The secretary of Port Qasim Authority avoided giving any specific reply to Jang when asked the reason for abolishing the development projects. (Jang)
4.Chashma Power Plant C2 has restarted after remaining closed for over 3 months for repair and change of fuel. (Urdupoint)
4. Daily Pak editorially commented on the statement of Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr. Nadim-ul-Haq that either the PC should be shut down or it should be allowed to work independently. The daily says the issue seemed to be of no priority for the authorities. For the past three years Haq was dejected due to non-cooperation from authorities. Unless we prefer technocrats like Dr. Abdul Qadir Khan and Dr. Mehboob-ul-Haque over the bureaucrats and corrupt leaders there is no possibility of improvement in the situation. (Daily Pak Edit)
SINDH
1. London based MQM leadership has decided to eliminate the in-party terrorists who have crossed their limits. In April alone, 12 such activists have been killed and others were trying to leave the country fearing that also could also be killed. MQM’s Intelligence Wing sent to London a list of 78 activists from 5 sectors who were collecting extortion money and had established contacts with opponents of MQM and that could negatively affect the party in the elections. (Jasarat)
2.On a tip off, SSP, SIU Mohammad Farooq Awan formed a special team to raid a building in New Chali and confiscated a huge cache of weapons that was to be used for carrying out terrorism in Karachi. (Jang)
PUNJAB
1. PPP leader Raja Riyaz has commented during his election campaign in Faisalabad that Nawaz Sharif has links with the Taliban; hence there will be no terrorism in Punjab. (Khabrain)
BALOCHISTAN
1.Balochistan National Party chief and former chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said that the problems in Balochistan cannot be solved by tyranny and excesses. He said that interference by security agencies in the affairs of administration is complicating things. A civil war like situation is prevailing now, and there is no possibility of clean and safe elections. (Daily Intekhab)
2.The Balochistan High Court expressed annoyance on the media reporting on banned organisations. (Jang)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1. During President Zardari’s visit to AJK, the AJK leaders briefed him of the situation in Kashmir and on the J&K situation. Zardari assured the delegation that Pakistan will adhere to its stand on Kashmir and continue to provide funds. (Urdupoint)
2. Gilgit-Baltistan CM Mehdi has been pressurizing the Chief Secretary Hotiyana for illegal appointments in Grade 16 &17. CM Secretariat had sent many files to the CS for approval but the latter rejected them. It is said that the CM wanted to induct his people in Water and Power, Excise and Taxation departments. Hotiyana said that appointments would be done only as per the rules and regulations and on merit. (Bang-e-Sahar)
3. Speaker GB Assembly Wazir Baig and Finance Minister Muhammad Ali refused the recommendation of one headquarter for Hanza Nagar. Both demanded that separate headquarters should be established in Hanza and Nagar. (Bang-e-Sahar, Baad-e-Shimal)
4. Secretary Education Capt. (R) Nawaz Naseem has started action against government teachers working in their choice of schools instead of discharging their duties in the prescribed schools. (Baad-e-Shimal)
5. PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif said that his party would establish medical and engineering colleges in Baltistan if given a chance to serve the nation. He added that Baltistan is like a jugular vein for Pakistan. (Baad-e-Shimal)
6. The Deputy Chairman ERRA Major Gen. Asif Azim visited Poonch and ordered completion of new construction protects soon. (Daily Dharti)
