IRAN
Iran has decided to give a make over to its Western Balochistan province. Accordingly, it will drop the word ‘Balochistan’ and divide the region into three pockets. This was stated buy the Imam of Jamia Majid of Zahedan, capital of Western Balochistan. Strategic location, long coastline and above all the Baloch movement are cited as reasons for the decision. (Daily Intekhab, 6 March)
AFGHANISTAN
1. Zahid Aziz writes that in Afghanistan, so far 3171 American, allied and NATO forces had been killed by Taliban. He claims that the US had suffered the highest number of casualties at 2084 whereas Canada had lost 440 troops, France 158, Germany 88, Italy 56, Denmark 52, Australia 43, Poland 39, Spain 38, and New Zealand had lost 36 troops. Aziz writes that those injured were in thousands. Aziz writes that more than 1000 troops of the Afghan National Army were injured. He says that in 2009, 7228 attacks were carried out on allied forces, which was a 120% increase when compared to 2008. Aziz writes that in 2010, 710 allied forces’ troops were killed which was 62% more than 2009. Aziz writes that 405 allied forces were killed in 2012 and claims that the Afghan war inflicted approximately USD 615 billion in losses on the American economy as compared to the USD 815 billion losses due to the Iraq war. He says this had paralyzed the American economy. Aziz claims that Taliban were close to defeating the allied forces and remarks that it would be the first defeat of NATO in its history. (Al Qalam Weekly, 1 March to 7 March)
INDIA
Nawa-i-Waqt criticizes PM Ashraf for his urge to visit India, despite a refusal from the Indian PM to visit Pakistan. Hindu extremist outfit Shiv Sena has also strongly protested PM Ashraf visiting India and has demanded a ban on his visit unless the head of the Indian solider killed at LoC was recovered. Edit says that it was disgusting Pakistani leaders have a ‘mad love’ for India and find nothing wrong in visiting a traditional rival. Edit adds that although PM Ashraf’s visit to India was not official, it would also be against Pakistan’s interests. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
UNITED STATES
1.Stand-in JI (Karachi) chief Birjis Ahmed said that the Abbas Town blast was an American conspiracy to spark off Shia-Sunni riots. He demanded that the government carry out immediate investigation into the incident. He said American ambitions were not hidden from anyone as American wanted to spark off sectarian riots to isolate Iran. Ahmed stated that America was using various methods to sabotage the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and said that America, India and Israel were carrying out conspiracies against Pakistan’s national security. (Jasarat, Ummat)
2.Ummat edit comments on US claim that CIA was not behind drone attacks carried out in tribal areas on 6th and 8th February. America accused Pakistan of carrying out these attacks and this is a laughable proposition. Pakistan Army has already rejected it. (Ummat Edit)
3. Nawa-i-Waqt says drone technology currently being developed by Pakistan, on which the US has been creating a bid fuss, was nothing more than a toy. It urges the US to let Pakistan take action against radicals on its own. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
DEFENCE
1. According to sources, an EC delegation couldn’t meet COAS Gen. Kayani as he was away in Karachi. This delegation will meet Kayani in the next 2-3 days. EC Secretary will officially request Kayani for Army help in the elections. (Jasarat, Urdupoint, Kawish)
2. COAS Gen. Kayani said that the Army was ever ready to help in maintaining law and order at the request of civilian authorities. He said that the Army was ready to face any challenges, internal or external. He said that it was the duty of the Army to safeguard the security of the country. (Daily Intekhab)
3. Despite the presence of COAS Gen. Kayani and CJP Iftekhar Chaudhary in Karachi yesterday, MQM terrorists went on a rampage in the city. Army officials of 9 countries were also present in Karachi, in view of on-going Naval exercise but MQM did not hesitate to demonstrate its street power and challenge the writ of the government. (Ummat)
4.The SC reversed the Military Appellate Tribunal’s decision to give death sentence to 2 people in the Musharraf attack case. The Chief Justice remarked that rules framed by the Army were not above rules framed by the Parliament. (Daily Intekhab)
5.Roznama Duniya is critical of government inaction against terrorists particularly in Karachi. In an editorial the daily says every other day, police killed dacoits and other criminals in encounters, but the police never come a across any terrorist. This is indeed strange, the daily remarks. Police and provincial governments were scared of terrorists and that was the reason why they were suggesting dialogues with terrorists, even though Pakistan was equipped with nuclear weapons. The excuse that external elements were responsible for terrorist attacks, is an excuse to cover up institutional failure in controlling terrorism. (Roznama Duniya, 6 March)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. In his column, Arif Bahar refers to the statement made by nuclear scientist AQ Khan that if he is given the responsibility of negotiations with Taliban, he would go to tribal areas as it is better to die by bullet fired by an honourable Muslim rather than a bullet fired by a Jew. Bahar writes that this statement expresses Dr. Khan’s pain which was caused by the false propaganda by the Western media against him. Bahar writes that even Osama Bin Laden was a product of Western biases and injustice. (Jasarat)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1.Jang editorial says Pakistan Election Commission is expressing helplessness in stopping candidates with fake degrees from contesting elections without SC’s orders. What a contrast this is with India where the poll body enjoys wide powers, without which, fair and transparent elections are not possible. (Jang Edit)
2. Daily Pak welcoming the nod of Punjab Assembly’s Business Advisory Committee for dissolution of the Assembly along with Parliament (National Assembly), observes that it would be a good idea if the Balochistan, KP and Sindh governments follow Punjab’s example. (Daily Pak Edit)
ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. 1. PPP government incurred Rs. 12 billion loss to the national treasury. (Baad-e-Shimal)
2. ADB has warned that Pakistan will need to take USD 9 billion package from IMF by the year-end since the government had not curtailed its expenditure and made no effort to overcome fiscal crisis. (Jang)
3. The long march undertaken by Pakistan Fishermen’s Forum against building of dams on Indus River, reached Kherpur on Wednesday. Addressing the rally, leaders said that there was a project of building 50 dams on Indus River which will barren Sindh and destroy fish and forests. (Jang)
PUNJAB
1. Daily Intekhab editorial is on Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif’s statement that Zardari and his supporters will have to be removed from power to protect the country. It endorses Zardari’s claim that the establishment and Lahore had conspired against PPP. It says PML-N’s performance was no better than PPP’s and the people were aware of the anti-democracy rule of PML-N. Commenting on the l situation in Balochistan and Sindh, the daily observes that once again, the team of former dictator Gen Zia-ul-Haq was trying to come to power. (Daily Intekhab Edit)
KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAH (NWFP/FATA)
1. Quami Watan Party leader Syed Riyaz Ali Shah said that KP CM had not visited Hazara even once in the last 5 years. He claimed that funds meant for Hazara were being utilized in Multan and other areas. (Daily Hazara News)
PUNJAB
1. Punjab Election Commissioner SM Tariq Qadri said that after reviewing the security conditions during elections, the FATA border will be sealed and the entry of Afghans would be banned. (Khabrain)
SINDH
1. The murderer of Mufti Dinpuri has been arrested along with 6 others in a targeted operation by Rangers’ The culprit Khurram belongs to MQM and is a resident of the Shah Faisal Colony in Karachi. Official announcement on the arrest will be made very soon. (Ummat)
2.Sensitive agencies have arrested 1 person, out of 3, for killing 3 Muftis a week ago. This person belongs to a political party. (Jang)
3. 2 personnel of the Rangers’ Intelligence Wing – Munir Baloch and Ejaz – disappeared from Lyari when they went for field information. They were deployed at Rangers’ Headquarters Nazimabad. (Ummat)
4. The government has asked religious madaris to either shift from Karachi or to close down for some time. However, Ulemas from Dafaq ul Madaris and from all over Pakistan have rejected the government’s suggestion. (Jang)
4. In his telephonic address, Jiye Sindh Muttahida Mahaz chief Shafi Barafat said that Samiullah Kolhoro was Sindh’s Mangal Pandey and that Shahid Zulfiqar Ali Kolachi was the chief commander in the fight against Sindh’s slavery. He said that their martyrdom strengthened the movement to free Sindh from slavery. Barafat said that Sindh’s secular fabric was under threat from religious fundamentalists and by attacking Sindh’s religious places, attempts were being made to trigger sectarian disturbances so that Sindh gets bad name. Awami Awaz)
5. The death anniversaries of Samiullah Kolhoro and Shahid Zulfiqar Ali Kolachi were observed in Karachi Central Jail by Jiye Sindh Tehrik, Jiye Sindh Muttahida Mahaz and Jiye Sindh Quami Mahaz (Areesar faction). These meetings in the jail were addressed by leaders, currently under trial in the jail; the include Akhtiyar Chandiyo, Adalat Shah, Ishaq Chandiyo, Dado Kolachi, and Karim Bux Mirani. (Awami Awaz)
6. Jiye Sindh Mahaz has given a call for protests on March 17th against the Zulfiqarabad project and other anti-Sindh issues. Riyaz Chandiyo, the chairman of the group, said that Zulfiqarabad project was a ploy to divide Sindh and that it will never be accepted. Besides sit-ins on March 17th, there would be an all-district strike when President Zardari lays the foundation for this project. (Awami Awaz)
BALOCHISTAN
1. Writing about his visit to Khuzdar, columnist Hamid Mir says because of terror prevailing in Balochistan, political activities are hardly visible. Balochis don’t believe that fair and free elections were possible in Balochistan. National Party and Balochistan National Party (Mengal Group) have decided to participate in elections but some private forces were trying to keep these nationalist parties away from elections. Mir writes that on one hand, these nationalist leaders were facing a double-game from state institutions and on the other Baloch militants see them as traitors. Mir expresses concern that if Baloch nationalist leaders are not allowed to contest elections, it will become difficult to keep Balochistan in the national mainstream. Mir comments that these days, Baloch leaders were changing parties for their vested interests, rather than to help the province. Referring to Lashkari Raeesani joining PML-N, Mir comments that joining PML-N just a few weeks before elections has created a wrong impression of his political interests as many political observers feel that the real reason of his joining PML-N at this time was to stop his rival Sardar Yar Mohammad Khan Rind from joining PML-N. Mir sys that Rind had decided to join PML-N but was waiting for Akhtar Mengal’s return to announce his decision, but Raeesani acted fast. (Jang)
In his column, Nazir Naji refers to ‘New York Times’ report denying US role in drone attacks in North and South Waziristan and allegations that these were carried out by Pakistan. Naji comments that earlier, Pakistan used to take the blame on itself, but now the situation has reversed. He comments that the US was getting out of the war in Afghanistan but was not leaving Afghanistan. He claims that the US wanted Pakistan to continue its help to its allies in Afghanistan and if Pakistan refuses, it will imply that it was supporting Taliban. Hence, Pakistan should be entangled in an internal war, so that it does not create trouble for government in Afghanistan set up by the US. Naji writes that TTP’s invitation for talks was in fact a conspiracy against Pakistan as TTP and Afghan Taliban were not two different groups. They both followed Mullah Omer and their goal is also one. Naji claims that the purpose behind the invitation was to divide Pakistan. Naji asks leaders to know the real enemy as Pakistan has known and united against its enemy India. Naji asks leaders to act similarly against terrorists. (Roznama Duniya)
2. Ibrat editorial on the defection of some PPP Balochistan leaders to PML-N fold says that Pakistan’s history was replete with such defections at election time. This time around, defections seem to be on a large scale as both major parties are bent on grabbing each other’s members. Such defections are opportunistic. And parties accepting defectors should beware that they will not be loyal to their new parties as power alone is the binding factor. (Ibrat Edit)
3. BNP Information Secretary Agha Hassan Baloch and Central Committee member Saeed Ahmed said that the recovery of missing people and the stopping of operations in Balochistan should be ensured immediately. They said human rights in Balochistan were being abused. BNP leaders demanded that anti-Baloch mega-projects be immediately cancelled. They said Sardar Akhtar Mengal will soon return to Balochistan. (Daily Intekhab)
4. A rally was organized by PML-N in the Chaghi district against continuing problems to education institutions. In the last five years, Chaghi has not yet received the promised status of tehsil; there is shortage of all basic amenities including electricity, water and schools. (Daily Intekhab)
5. Leaders of ASWJ Chaman have expressed concern over the arrest of Ulema and students. They said that the government was taking action against peaceful citizens to hide its own failure. (Daily Intekhab)
6. Abductors of ANP leader MNA Sultan Tareen have asked for Rs. 50 crore as ransom. (Daily Intekhab, 6 March)
7. District Bar Association Jaffarabad boycotted courts for the third consecutive day to protest over the non-recovery of Prosecutor General of Balochistan, Tareen. They demanded Tareen’s immediate recovery and lamented that the government had failed to provide security to lawyers. (Daily Intekhab)
POK/ G-B NEWS
1. In a remote controlled bomb blast, at least 3 people were injured in Gilgit. (Baad-e-Shimal)
2. Department of Environmental Protection has summoned WAPDA Chairman and Director-MCDP project for violation of the Environment Protection Act in AJK’s Neelum-Jhelum hydel power project and Muzaffarabad City development projects. (Daily Dharti)
