SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabian cabinet has approved the discussion of cooperation agreements with Pakistan and Afghanistan. (Urdupoint, 31 January)

INDIA
Pakistani High Commission in India has exposed large-scale embezzlement in the PIA office in India. An investigation has been initiated against the Delhi-based manager Ghulam Mustafa Sheikh, who has issued visas using PIA letter heads; he allegedly charged visa fees ranging from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh, whereas the actual visa fees is only Indian Rs. 15/-. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

AFGHANISTAN
1. During the visit of Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani to Kabul, the Afghan government will ask Pakistan for access to Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Bradar and other Taliban leaders, also known as the Quetta Shura, say Afghan security sources. (Urdupoint, 31 January)

UNITED STATES/AFGHANISTAN
1. In a TV interview, the head of Hizb-e-Islami’s dialogue team, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s son-in-law, Dr. Ghairat Bahar admitted that a 15-point package had been presented to the US and the Afghan government. He said that talks between the US and Taliban were going on, on 3 points. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Daily Pak)

2. Nawa-i-Waqt’s editorial is critical of the US –Pak agreement for intelligence exchange and questions as to what kind of intelligence would Pakistan need from USA? The daily is against the US plan for air surveillance through drones as these planes could be spying on Pakistan. Edit says Pakistani government should not allow US drones to enter Pakistani air space. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

3. Ausaf edit on negotiations between America and Taliban in Qatar, says that Taliban’s resistance has forced the US to the negotiation table where it is talking about reconciliation. The daily advises that the negotiations should be held with an open heart; it would be stupidity if the Americans adopt a threatening tone. (Ausaf Edit, 31 January)

4. Daily Intekhab editorial takes note of American envoy’s remarks that President Obama would preside over the Friends of Pakistan meeting in the US next month and that President Zardari would be able to meet Gordon Brown where he would get good news. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton would make a long visit to Pakistan and would discuss Pak-US cooperation in various fields. The daily observes that the envoy’s remarks were insulting as Pakistan was a sovereign nation that could decide on its own. It holds what it calls puppet leadership of Pakistan responsible for this flipside of the relations.  (Daily Intekhab Edit)

DEFENCE
1. A 3-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftekhar Chaudhary will hear the case against the possible dismissal of COAS and DG-ISI on February 7th. The writ was filed by advocate Fazal Karim Butt. (Baad-e-Shimal)

2. On his visit to the Bahawalpur and Khairpur cantonments, COAS Gen. Kayani said that the military as well as the youth needed to pay attention to operational preparations for combating all threats. (Jinnah, Khabrain)

3. In his article, Allah Bux Rathore says that the issue at stake was not whether to give promotion or extension to DG-ISI but how to stop ISI’s intervention in political affairs. He says that it was unfortunate that institutions in Pakistan, despite being subordinate to it, kept indulging in acts to weaken the government. Rathore says that Pakistan must take Bangladesh’s example where a woman PM has seen to the ouster of several generals and where neither any political group nor any opposition party has raised any dissent. He criticizes the PPP government of failing to take steps to put an end to such attempts. He says that before the general elections, the government will have to take to a ‘cleaning exercise’ in key institutions to keep these agencies away from tampering with elections.  Rathore says that Asghar Khan’s case was important from this point of view and the court’s verdict may just go against these institutions. He says that it was possible that like in the CIA in the US, large-scale reforms may take off in Pakistan’s intelligence agencies and this work too might be handed over to some parliamentary committee. (Awami Awaz, 31 January)

TERRORISM/EXTREMISM
1. 8 big groups, 4 from LeJ and 4 from Sipah-e-Sahaba, were involved in target killings in Karachi. (Ummat)

2. 2 persons were arrested from Margalla Hills in Islamabad in a search operation. These people were allegedly involved in planning rocket attacks on Islamabad. (Jinnah)

3. Sindh police have sought to include names of 2 religious leaders in the Watch List – Jamiat Ulema Pakistan’s leader, also former chief of Anjuman Naujawan Islam, Tariq Mahmood and former chief of Godhra Muslim Anjuman, Feroz Kalia. The letter of the Sindh IG to the Sindh Home Ministry says that these two were promoting sectarian differences. (Awami Awaz)

4 Ausaf edit on Dafa-e-Pakistan conference held in Multan says that the massive turnouts at the successive Dafa-e-Pakistan conferences indicate that people are attached to the ideology of Islam and defence of Pakistan. Edit says that the conspiracies of anti-Pakistan forces will not be allowed to succeed. It says that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and hence, Islamic system was the future of Pakistan. Edit ends by talking about the contrast between the media that was touching the heights of liberalism and the people who were moving towards Islam. (Ausaf Edit, 31 January)

5.  In his column, Muhammad Omer Farooq writes in praise of Maulana Azhar Masood. He writes that he has suffered a lot in torture cells and endured many difficulties. Farooq writes that the centre Markaz-e-Osman-o-Ali Bahawalpur established by Masood was missing him. He prays for Azhar Masood’s safety. (Al Qalam Weekly, 27 January to 2 February)

6. Nawa-i-Waqt editorial claims credit for Punjab CM’s instructions to remove the pictures of Musharraf and Chaudhary Pervez Elahi from text books. If after four years, the Punjab government had realized its fault, it should also re-insert the jihadi verses in text books that had been deleted by the Musharraf government under US pressure. Kashmir is mentioned in Saudi Arabia’s school syllabus but that is not the case in Pakistan; edit laments that even the two-nation theory has not been included in the Pakistani text books. It says that the new generation should be made aware of the Kashmir issue and Hindu enmity against Pakistan and Islam. It urges Punjab CM to improve the condition of the schools in Punjab. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. PM Gilani has said that there can be an agreement with MQM on issue of new provinces. He assured that the upcoming elections would be more transparent. (Awami Awaz)

2. PPP was in dilemma over PML-Q’s demand for more seats in the Senate. It was said that PPP wanted to keep its clear majority and would give only 4 seats and not 9. (Ummat)

3. PTI leader Javed Hashmi met Nawa-i-Waqt Group Editor-in-Chief, Majid Nizami in his office and discussed the political situation in the country. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

4. JUI-F chief Fazlur Rahman said that the establishment was a reality. He also said that general elections would be held on October 15th.     (Jinnah)

5. PML-Q MNA Ayaz Shejari has opposed the amendment bill for new provinces. In a statement, he said that the government and the PML-Q leadership should not expect support from him on issue of new provinces. He said that the PPP should refrain from submitting to one party just for sake of staying in power for longer. He said that PPP should not compromise Sindh’s interests for the sake of power. He said that elected representative from Sindh will ever support such a bill. He advised the PPP government of not supporting the bill. (Awami Awaz)

6. In his article, Zarar Pirzada says that the political storm seems to have settled down and talks about some compromise that may have brought about this lull. Pirzada laments that an all-ok image is given about the country if the conditions in the country are as per the wishes of the establishment and the US; if the conditions are not as per their wishes, then an anti-government atmosphere is created with the government being on tenterhooks and barely allowed to function. He questions at what cost the government has got rid of the Memogate issue. Pirzada says that is being rumoured that the US had asked Mansoor Ijaz not to visit Pakistan on security grounds; this would help Pakistan get a relief from the Memogate issue. He says that the government seems to have won a moral battle in this issue and the court seems to have softened. (Awami Awaz, 31 January)

7. Jang editorial notes President Zardari’s remarks that 2012 would be the year of people’s welfare when the government would concentrate on law and order and the economy. The daily questions why the government decided to improve the economy just now when it was supposed to have been working on it from the beginning. Edit says that the government was just trying to fool the people as it was impossible to do four years’ work in one year. It criticizes PM Gilani and President Zardari for making contradictory statements regarding elections. (Jang Edit)

8. In his column, Arif Bahar writes about the developments in the Memogate case. He says that this case will re-open after 2 months and writes the government had successfully threatened Mansoor Ijaz and stopped him from appearing in the court. He says that this same government will create a conducive atmosphere for Ijaz after 2 months. Bahar ends by saying that this issue will face away soon. (Jasarat)

9. In his column, Nazir Naji writes about the rise and fall of Mansoor Ijaz. He says Ijaz would never come to Pakistan and Hussain Haqqani would get a chance to claim damages from all involved in his humiliation. Naji says that Hussain Haqqani should not ask the government for expensive; rather, he should just pay his own expenses as he would get plenty for his claims. (Jang)

10. Nawa-i-Waqt’s edit on President Zardari’s telling PPP workers that only Senate elections will be held this year, and general elections will be held on time, says that if PPP thinks it can complete its term it is delusional as the public has decided to take to the streets against inflation, unemployment and other issues. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

11. Jinnah’s edit praises SC for removing the ban on Hussain Haqqani for going abroad. It says Pakistan’s image was damaged due to the Memogate scandal, but the SC played a role in restoring the image through the removal of this ban. The daily advises the government to step-up its support to the judicial commission on the Memogate issue. (Jinnah Edit)

12. Jasarat editorial on SC’s order to present before it 11 missing persons notes that four of these eleven persons had died and their bodies recovered and that lives of the rest are also in danger. If the court had taken action as soon as the first person died, the lives of the 3 others could have been saved. It noted the statement of government lawyer that these people dies of illness, and questions why their families were not informed. (Jasarat Edit)

13. Jasarat editorial comment on return to the US of former ambassador Hussain Haqqani says it seems that the storm created by the Memogate controversy will die down swiftly. (Jasarat Edit)

ECONOMY/WATER
1.  PIA hasn’t been able to pay salaries to its staff due to shortage of funds and has asked help from the government. (Ummat)

2. With US support, mango exports increased by 60% last year and Sindh and Punjab farmers earned revenue of approximately USD 4 million. (Daily Pak)

BALOCHISTAN
1. Nawa-i-Waqt has voiced concern over the fresh wave of target killings in Karachi and militant violence in Balochistan and KP. The daily says killing Nawab Bugti’s grandson’s wife and daughter will complicate matters further in Balochistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

2. Unidentified persons have attacked security officials with rockets resulting in the death of six officials at Sabi. (Awami Awaz)

PUNJAB
1. Punjab government has refused to give any venue to the PM for holding a PPP meeting. (Awami Awaz)

SINDH
1. In a joint statement, leaders of Sindh Tariqui Pasand including chief Qadir Magsi said that following the successful strike on January 28 against the likely spilt of Sindh, the government had now started intimidating and arresting party activists. They alleged that the police had started raiding residences of activists and attempts were being made to present some of the women activists in the anti-terror court. The statement goes on to say that such measures will not dampen nationalist leaders as the organization knew how to protect its activists. (Awami Awaz, 31 January)

2. A meeting of Jiye Sindh Quami Mahaz held under Bashir Qureshi decided to organize a big rally on April 23rd for the freedom of Sindh. The meeting condemned the practice of lodging police complaints in Urdu and assured full support to the campaign of Sindhi Adabi Sanghat for "save language campaign". The party also decided to take out protest rallies on February 1st against the continued closure of the Sind University. (Awami Awaz, 31 January)

3. World Food Programme has offered financial aid to the Sindh government to build warehouses for the disaster management authority at Sukkur, Hyderabad and Karachi. Chief Secretary has written to board of revenue for allotment of land at these places to build warehouses. (Awami Awaz)

4. Awami Awaz edit on MQM’s eight demands particularly its claim for the provincial home ministry portfolio says MQM to review its demands and learn to be tolerant. It questions why MQM was trying to given an impression that the interiors of Sindh were different from its urban areas, when it clearly needed support. Observing that there were multiple conspiracies against Sindh, the daily asks the MQM to play its role in bringing about cohesiveness in the Sindh. (Awami Awaz, 31 January)

5. Ummat and Jang editorials on latest target killing in Karachi say the government should deal with the problem with all the seriousness it deserved; otherwise the judiciary should take suo-moto action to stop the menace. (Ummat Edit, Jang Edit)

POK NEWS
1. AJK President Sardar Yaqoob Khan said if AJK lags behind J&K in development and progress, it will weaken the Kashmir freedom movement. He said that AJK was the base camp of the freedom movement and that AJK could support the freedom movement effectively only when it is strengthened financially. (Baad-e-Shimal)

2. AJK JI Chief Abdul Rashid Turabi said that G-B and AJK should be bound together with a common constitutional system. (Daily Dharti)
3. AJK Information Advisor said that the AJK journalists will get the same facilities as Pakistani journalists get. (Daily Dharti)

4. Daily Dharti editorial on AJK PM Chaudhary Abdul Majeed’s promise of free electricity says, so far, nothing has been done to fulfil the promise. Edit adds the people no longer trust their leaders who do not honour their commitments. The daily cautions that leaders should not make irresponsible statements. (Daily Dharti Edit)

G-B NEWS
1. A high level security review meeting chaired by CM Mehdi Shah decided to ensure checking of black widow vehicles and ban on display of weapons. Chief Secretary Saifullah Chetta, IGP Hussain Asghar, Secretary Ministry of Interior Asif Bilal and other heads of institutions attended the meeting. Shah emphasized that children, women and sick people should not be harassed at check posts. He said that no group belonging to G-B was involved in terrorism anywhere in Pakistan. (Ausaf, 31 January)

2. Speaking with ‘Ausaf’, PML-N (Gilgit-Baltistan) leader Muhammad Alamgir said that the government should take immediate steps to stop corruption in the education, health, and construction departments. He said that corruption was rampant across all government institutions. (Ausaf, 31 January)

3. Federal Directorate General Audit has claimed that massive corruption, irregularities, and misuse of government funds had taken place in the office of Chief Drugs Inspector of Gilgit-Baltistan.  (Ausaf, 31 January)

4. Christian missionaries have been misguiding Muslims in the valley by luring them with money and employment. The Sharia Council has asked four Christian preachers to leave the valley. (Ummat)

5. Over 8000 employees of PWD and Wasa have protested against non-payment of salary for the last 3 months. G-B government is facing financial difficulties due to not receiving funds from the federal government. (Baad-e-Shimal)

6. Baad-e-Shimal editorially asked the CM to support PML-N’s efforts to establish peace in G-B saying these efforts are praiseworthy. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

7. In another edit Baad-e-Shimal has criticised the government for its failure to check landslides in Chator Khand despite prior warnings. The authorities displayed similar lackadaisical approach when locals had warned of the Attabad lake formation; people of Attabad are still suffering the consequences. (Baad-e-Shimal-Edit)