2. Arif Bahar writes in  Jasarat:  ‘Some Indian newspapers are saying that the situation in Balochistan and Karachi have become matters of shame for Pakistan; this is affecting the Kashmir freedom struggle negatively as people are questioning the ability of Pakistan to protect the lives of its citizens. People are asking how Pakistan can ensure peace and security to Kashmiris’. (Jasarat)

UNITED STATES
1. Pakistan has asked 200 American personnel to leave the country within the next 30 to 40 days. This is a reaction to another case registered against ISI chief Shujaa Pasha in the US. The list of the 200 American personnel was sent to the American embassy and Ambassador Cameron Munter has cancelled his vacation and is returning to Pakistan to tackle the situation. However, the US embassy has denied these reports. (Jasarat, Urdupoint, Nawa-i-Waqt, Khabrain, Daily Pak)

2. Defence minister Leon Panetta has stated at a meeting with military officials that Pakistan has been more helpful in the war on terror since the Abbottabad Operation Geronimo, and it has targeted terrorist hide-outs marked by the US. (Khabrain, Nawa-i-Waqt)

3. Ausaf Editorial has criticised the recent of American consulate officials into Peshawar without clearance from the Pakistan Foreign Ministry. “In recent months American intervention has increased in various Pakistan cities and this is a clear challenge to the sovereignty of Pakistan. (Ausaf Edit, 23 August)

CHINA
1. A China- Pakistan Friendship Scholarship program has been initiated. The program is worth 1 lakh and around 200-300 students will be given technical training between September and December. (Ibrat)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Abdul Hafiz Amirpuri writes in Al Qalam Weekly: Creation of Pakistan was announced in the month of Ramzan and this indicates that Pakistan was created with the blessings of God. But now, the sovereignty of Pakistan is at risk and its borders are not protected; infiltration is taking place from Afghanistan and attacks are taking populated areas, Madaris and Mosques in Pakistan. A solution to these problems lies in making Pakistan an Islamic state where the laws of the Quran are followed. (Al Qalam Weekly, 19-25 August)

2. JuD Central Leader Ghulam Kader Subhani has said that Jihad is obligatory for Muslims and today what is happening in the US and India is only due to the success of Jihad. (Daily Dharti)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has gone on leave following a rift with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. This in turn has derailed the forthcoming round of India Pakistan dialogue, Pakistan’s participation in the Security Council Conference and preparations Hina Rabbani’s visit to Beijing. Sources said difference between the two emerged over FM’s visit to India. (Jinnah)

2. Fraud and embezzlement of over Rs.55 million was detected in the Rangers, Frontier Constabulary, National Highway Authority, the Civil Aviation department, the federal development authority (CDA) and six other departments in the year 2009-10, according to a report of Auditor General of Pakistan. The report lists illegal payments or excess payments made to contractors. (Baad-e-Shimal)

3. Chairman of the Nazari-e-Pakistan Trust, Majid Nizami, has expressed concern over the Karachi situation.  Addressing a Nazari-e-Pakistan seminar held at King Edward Medical University, he said discard amongst Mohajirs, Sindhis and Pakhtoons is affecting the two nation ideology. If Pakistan was not formed then Muslim ladies would not have the career opportunities that they enjoy in Pakistan today. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

4. Irfan Siddiqui writes in Jang:  Musharraf is the main culprit for the Karachi situation. PPP has continued with his policies for their own vested interests. The situation cannot be left unattended. Judiciary should ask all the security agencies to submit their reports and should call those who are keeping silent for some reason or the other.  (Jang)

5. President Asif Ai Zardari has appointed Akhtar Buland Rana as the new Auditor General of Pakistan. (Jinnah)

SINDH
1. Sindh Minister Zulfikar Mirza said that the police and rangers are demanding a freehand in Karachi to deal with miscreants since 300 policemen have been killed in the raging violence.  Anti-terror laws will be amended to provide for deterrent action against extortionists. (Ibrat, Kawish, Khabrain, Jinnah)

2. An activist of the MQM, Aijaz Chotto, has confessed to the killing of many PPP and ANP activists. He is charged with killing over 1000 people.  Police arrested him red-handed with weapons. He has connections with major political parties; the police chief is reportedly under immense pressure to release Aijaz. It is said that Aijaz Chotto has 70 cases registered against him but has been taking advantage of the PPP’s National Reconciliation Ordinance. (Jasarat, Ibrat)

3. PPP leader and legal exert Aitzaz Ahsan said that if the MQM wanted it could bring the situation in Karachi under control. (Kawish)
4. Madrassa student organizations and religious leaders have warned MQM Chief Altaf Hussain that there would be dire consequences if the Islamic scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani was targeted. (Ummat)

5. JI will hold a ‘Karachi Bachao Rally’ on Friday against bloodshed in Karachi. (Jasarat)

6. Sindhis have a very meagre representation in the 700-strong teaching faculty of Karachi University. (Ibrat)

7. Editorials on Government plan for surgical Ops in Karachi said:  The surgical operations in Karachi can succeed only when they are conducted without any bias towards any political party. PPP, MQM and ANP are all critical of each other but yet they have remained in the coalition and have done nothing to check criminal elements in their ranks. (Ibrat Edit, Daily Intekhab Edit)

ECONOMY
1. Unrest in Karachi has so far cost Rs.70 billion to business; trading activity has come down by around 30%. Daily loss to the economy is estimated at Rs.2 billion a day. (Jasarat, Daily Pak)

2. MQM strike has caused losses of Rs.1.5 billion with the business community forced to pull down their shutters at the peak of Eid buying season. (Kawish)

3. Khabrain editorial on new IMF loan says: the government is taking a new loan worth $5-7 billion from the IMF. The loan will compel the government to hike user charges particularly electricity tariffs and it will cause hardships to the people and hurt Pakistan’s economy. The government will do well to find alternatives to IMF for raising the loan. (Khabrain Edit)

POK NEWS
1. The Secretary General of the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, Shahzad Aga, has said that the GB Chief Minister is like a dictator.  ‘The CM is curtailing media freedom in order to cover his own inefficiencies’. (Baad-e-Shimal)

2. Former AJK PM Atiq Ahmed said that the Indian and Pakistani army should be included in on-going diplomatic talks saying that the armed forces are the only power in Pakistan for the common man and the last hope for the country. (Ummat)

3. Consultations are underway for the transfer of Deputy Commissioners in Diamer, Ghazar and Hanza Nagar. The director for food has turned down the offer for appointment as the Deputy Commissioner of Ghazar. (Baad-e-Shimal)

4. Dozens of powerhouses and channels in GB were destroyed in the 2010 floods.  Federal government had promised to make good the loss estimated by the electricity department at Rs.26 crore – out of the flood relief funds received from foreign donors but the promise has not been fulfilled yet. (Baad-e-Shimal)

4. Daily Dharti editorial has criticised PPP-AJK’s decision to let Sardar Atiq Ahmad’s son stand as joint-candidate in the election from Muzaffarabad. ‘Despite winning by clear majority in AJK assembly, PPP is giving these concessions to the Muslim Conference for some unknown reasons. Treating AJK like a political laboratory is going to be dangerous. (Daily Dharti Edit)