JuD (Rawalpindi) chief Ahsanullah said that the government was not serious about resolving the Kashmir issue. He said that the people of Kashmir, by celebrating a black day on August 15th, had clarified that they will not compromise on freedom. Ahsanullah said that trade ties with India in order to appease the US was like rubbing salt on the wounds of Kashmiris. He said that Pakistan needed to openly support Kashmiris. Ahsanullah said that JuD was with the people of Kashmir in their struggle for liberation. (Ausaf, Jinnah)

Ausaf editorial says once again, India has claimed that the entire Kashmir including Siachen is its inseparable part and that Pakistan had captured a part of Kashmir. Edit says that India should be questioned if that were the case, what was the need for negotiations. The daily argues that India knew that Kashmiris hate India and notes that on August 14th, Pakistani flags were unfurled everywhere in Kashmir. (Ausaf Edit)

Nawa-i-Waqt has editorially hailed Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar for raising the Kashmir issue at OIC meet, especially her saying that Pakistan wanted Kashmir solution as per UN resolution. The daily opined that when India constantly declared Kashmir to be an integral part, dialogue with India would never be successful. Edit asked Nawaz Sharif to reconsider his policy of trade with India, giving it MFN status and unilateral Siachen pull out saying that  India not only did not want to give up its control of J&K, it wanted to actually acquire AJK and Siachen.  (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

UNITED STATES
Religious leaders have expressed concern over US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta’s statement that Gen. Kayani had prepared a plan for a military operation in North Waziristan. They said that an operation in North Waziristan will be dangerous for Pakistan as it could disintegrate the country. JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan said it was common knowledge that the ‘war on terror’ was a conspiracy against Pakistan and China. He said that Pakistan’s failed foreign policy had increased US pressure on Pakistan and lamented that the US had directed its investments towards India. He said that restoring NATO supply lines was a betrayal to the nation. JuI General Secretary Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said that there could be no peace in the region as long as the US was present here. He said that the power balance in south Asia was badly tilted as India was collecting a pile of weapons and on the other hand, Pakistan was being weakened internally. (Daily Pak)

Ausaf editorial on the statements of US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta says there are two kinds of Taliban, one which fights for Islam and another fights at the behest of foreign forces and against the interests of Pakistan. Operation against Taliban who are involved in anti-state activities and crimes is necessary but that operation should be carried out by Pakistani forces. Edit adds that Pakistan should also ask America to stop drone attacks and allow Pakistan to mount its own drone attacks. (Ausaf Edit)

Editorials in Ummat and Jang have expressed concern over the US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta’s statement that Pakistan’s army chief Ashfaq Kayani has prepared for an operation in Waziristan. Pakistan has to be very careful in this regard, say the edits pointing out that while resuming NATO supplies only benefited the US, going after Haqqani Network in NWA would only increase terrorism in Pakistan. The dailies ask the Pakistan Army to clarify and let the people know the facts as they stand. The edits conclude with the observation that in case the decision on NWA ops plan was unilateral, it should be condemned. (Ummat Edit, Jang Edit)

DEFENCE
The Sindh High Court has been moved to stop military operations in Waziristan. A petition filed by one Sohail said this is a national issue and therefore any one person cannot take a decision about it. (Jinnah)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
A meeting will be held at Dar-ul-jihad (Siyasi Tekri) to commemorate martyrs who had announced jihad in 1947. Former PM Raja Farooq Haider, Maulana Ijaz Afzal, and other leaders will participate. Former President and former Major Gen Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan will preside. (Ausaf)

Militants blew up a government school with explosives at Mardan, police said according to TV reports. No casualties have been reported. (Ibrat)

Al Qalam Weekly’s edit says today Muslims need jihad and the emotions of brotherhood have to continue. Edit appreciates Turkey’s help to the traumatised Rohingyas of Burma and tells the leaders of Pakistan and other Muslim countries to follow the Turkey’s lead and help the Rohingyas. (Al Qalam Weekly Edit, 17-23 August)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
In Awami Awaz, columnist Allah Bux Rathod comments on the fresh confrontation between the government and judiciary. It does not matter if the SC sacks the Prime Minister or succeeds in having a letter written to the Swiss authorities. The last date for a resolution of this matter in Swiss courts is August 22, while the next hearing in Pakistani courts   is August 27, by which time the Swiss courts will have set this matter aside. (Awami Awaz)

Jang editorially welcomes prime minister Raja Ashraf’s invitation to all political parties including the opposition for a dialogue on the interim government set-up. The discussion should be held in a cordial atmosphere with great responsibility; the new interim government should be given all the support to allow it to take positive decisions in national interest. (Jang Edit)

Ausaf edit on PM’s address states everything will be fine in Pakistan if the big four i.e. President, PM, Army Chief and Chief Justice adopt the qualities of the Turkish leadership. The daily writes that these four can change the destiny of Pakistan. (Ausaf Edit)

Daily Pak editorial on caretaker government before the elections writes that the PM should consult all political parties and give a clear indication as to when the elections are likely to be held to enable all parties to prepare. (Daily Pak Edit)

Daily Pak edit on PML-Q President Chaudhary Shujaat Husain condemning Rangers’ operation at Maulana Taqi Usmani’s Madarassa says that since Husain’s party is a member of the ruling   coalition, he should not just settle with condemning the attack but raise the issue with President Zardari. (Daily Pak Edit)
 
Daily Intekhab edit on PM Raja Ashraf’s speech on I- Day particularly his assurance that situation would normalize very soon. Edit says if the PM and others were so confident of getting things under control, they must have got some assurance from the international community. It would be important to know that what understanding the leadership has with the US and NATO since if it was some temporary settlement for American interests, it would be disastrous for Pakistan in the long run. Edit says that solving the problems of the people requires real democracy free from all encumbrances. (Daily Intekhab Edit)

HINDUS
Several Hindus from Jacobabad, Kandhkot, Kashmore and other places attended a meeting presided by Member of National Assembly, Faryal Talpur, who assured them that the government will take care of their grievances. (Ibrat, 15 August)

Following demands from the Hindu community, the Sindh CM minister has demanded legislation against forced conversions and also announced the release of Rs. 5 crores for Hindu holy places and for poor Hindus at Jacobabad. He announced five percent jobs for Hindus. He made these announcements at a meeting held at CM house to discuss problems being faced by Hindus. On this occasion, he also directed Sindh police IG to act immediately on complaints of Hindus regarding abductions, forced marriages and forced conversions. (Awami Awaz)

SINDH
Sindh Minister for Information, Sharjeel Memon, said that PPP is being steadily targeted. He warned that PPP cadre will not tolerate if one more PM is targeted by the SC. He questioned the court’s silence on cases relating to Arsalan Chaudhary and Nawaz Sharif. (Ibrat, 15 August)  

Police and Rangers raided the residences of Jiye Sindh Quami Mahaz and Jiye Sindh Muttahida Mahaz activists at Shahdadkot and took into custody three activists for trying to burn the flag. (Ibrat, 15 August)

Naseer Kumb writes in Ibrat that   water is amongst the key problems in Thar. He states that 14 lakh people living in 2300 villages, spread over 21,000 square kilometres continue to face water scarcity. (Ibrat)

Mineral Development Department of Sindh has given sanction to pledge 8500 acres of coal mines illegally at Lakhra. These mines were earlier allotted to a local private company (Hyderabad-based Fateh Textile Mills Ltd) for setting up a power house and based on the allotment, the company had entered into a pact with a foreign company (based in Hong Kong based FGBC Ltd) to raise a loan of USD 10 crore. The foreign company along with the local partner has now moved the court against the Sindh government for not generating power within the given time frame, for ruining the coal mines. They have appealed to the court that the Fateh Textile Mills not be denied its rights since such a denial would affect its loan agreement with the FGBC.   (Kawish, 15 August)

BALOCHISTAN
Sabi region in Quetta remained shut in response to a strike call from the Baloch National Front, Baloch Republican Party, and other Baloch nationalist groups. (Kawish, 15 August)

In his column, Haafiz Mohammad Tahir Ashrafi refutes the view of an Islamabad journalist that 34% of Baloch people wanted separation from Pakistan. He writes that some powers including India, US and Afghanistan and another country, which he did not name, were involved in the chaos in Balochistan. He claims that some Baloch leaders were using Indian, US and Pakistan’s money to break down Balochistan; he says that the Baloch people were true patriots and are faithful to Pakistan. Ashrafi says that the Baloch are disappointed with the Pakistani government over injustices such as the Sui gas pipeline not benefiting the Baloch people.  He said that the western media considered Baloch miscreants as heroes because they are being paid by powers that are against Pakistan and Islam.  (Jinnah)

POK/ G-B NEWS
During an Independence Day flag hoisting ceremony at Chinar Bagh, Speaker of Gilgit Baltistan Assembly Wazir Baig said confessed that GB is not as peaceful as it was earlier and stated that it was time to be cautious. Baig said that if people keep fighting with each other, then foreign forces will become stronger. (Ausaf)

GB’s Chief Court has issued a stay order against appointment of the IGP Osman Zakaria; the order was issued on a petition filed by stand-in IGP Mohammad Ali Khan. He said that Zakaria is junior to him and therefore appointing Zakaria as the IGP bypassing him is illegal.  (Baad-e-Shimal)

Contractors have declared a protest against the government as their dues were not cleared even after the federal government released Rs. I billion.  . (Baad-e-Shimal)

Baad-e-Shimal editorial says:    GB Legislative Assembly Speaker, Wazir Beg said Pakistan’s freedom paved the way for GB’s freedom. He said that the next target is to get representation in the Senate and National Assembly and join the national mainstream.  He also stated that the federal government should not make a big deal of Rs.20 billion grant. The federal government will regain the grant that it has paid GB for last 66 years once the Bunji and Diamer dams are completed. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)