UNITED STATES
1. Daily Intekhab edit says that the American official’s statement regarding Balochistan’s importance for NATO supplies and injustice to the Baloch people was actually a warning to Pakistan that the US will soon start interfering directly in Balochistan if Pakistan tried to play smart. It says that it was the federal government’s responsibility that strategies and policies showed by Benazir Bhutto be implemented or else, it would be held responsible in case of any chaos in Balochistan. (Daily Intekhab Edit)

INDIA
1.AJK President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan alleged that the Indian Army was the main hurdle in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and good ties with Pakistan. He said that the Indian Army was not allowing the black laws in J&K to be removed. (Ausaf, 29 December)

2. Administrator of Islami Jamiate Tulba-J&K Amjad Yaqoob has demanded perks equal to what Pak soldiers receive to the Kashmiri mujahideen and martyrs.. He said that the mujahideen had fought for Kashmir freedom and for the defence of Pakistan without any remuneration. (Baad-e-Shimal)

DEFENCE
1. In his column, Shahnawaz Farooqui writes that Army generals have thrown Pakistan into a crisis; they have made national politics meaningless and directionless. He says that this has reached its peak under Zardari’s government. He said that Pakistan was not in a position to understand the Abbotabad or the PNS Mehran incidents. Farooqui says that the Memogate issue had just exposed the emptiness of national life. (Jasarat)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Speaking at the ‘Pakistan Defence Seminar’ organized in Karachi, speakers said lawyers and civil society should make a difference between jihad and terrorism. They emphasized that jihad was the guarantee of peace and that everyone needed to struggle for the defence of Pakistan in view of international conspiracies. JuD leader Colonel (Retd) Nazir Ahmed said US had been defeated in Afghanistan and wanted to make India a superintendent for the region. Others who spoke at the seminar were former president of the Maleer Bar Council advocate Amanullah Yusuf, leader of Ahle-Sunnat-o-Al-Jamaat Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqui and Coordinator of ‘Pakistan Defense Council’ (Karachi) Muhammad Zul Qarnain Tahur. (Jasarat)

2. Speaking at a press conference, former administrator of Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Aziz said that the government had allotted 2.5 acres of land to Jamia Hafsa in H-11 and that the construction of a 5-storey building on this land will begin soon.  He said that this decision was taken after a meeting with federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik. He thanked President Zardari, Interior Minister Malik and Chief Commissioner Islamabad for the allotment of the land. (Jinnah)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. PPP is considering appointing Hussain Haqqani as a Senate member in March. Babar Aiwan has been appointed as PPP Vice Chairman. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Jinnah, Kawish)

2. Senator Maulana Sherani said that the establishment was behind creating tensions between departments as it believed in blackmailing and weakening departments. (Daily Intekhab)

3. Lord Qurban said that the ban on individuals with dual nationalities from contesting elections was an injustice. He said that this ban would affect 15 lakh expatriate Pakistanis. (Ausaf, 29 December)
PPP leader Sardar Asif Ali resigned from National Assembly and announced joining PTI. (Jinnah)

4. A meeting between former President Musharraf and Khurshid Mehmood Qasuri was held in Dubai. Qasuri has recently announced joining PTI. (Jinnah)

5. PML-N Secretary Information Mushahidullah Khan has admitted continuing PML-N and PML-Q negotiations. He said that a coalition with PML-Q was conditional on the PML-Q separating from the government alliance. (Khabrain)

6. JUI-F central vice chief Maulana Gul Naseeb said that 95% efforts to restore MMA had been completed. (Jinnah)

7. MQM has deposited resolutions with National Assembly Secretariat for formation of two more provinces – Hazara and south Punjab. The resolution on South Punjab says there should be a referendum as movements are already in progress for Bahawalpur and south Punjab province. (Kawish)

8. Muslim Conference president Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan said that national security was always at stake during PPP rule. Khan said that the Memogate scandal was a serious matter and added that if the PPP government did not stop harassing the judiciary and military, MC’s activists will stand up against PPP. (Ausaf, 29 December)

9. In his article, Salahuddin Hyder says that Imran Khan’s meteoric rise is becoming a matter of great concern both for Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari. He is of the opinion that Khan’s rise will not have much of an impact on MQM’s prospects as MQM has a committed vote bank. He also foresees the possibility of PTI and MQM cooperating in the future. (Ibrat)

10 . Jasarat edit points out that PM Gilani had denied in his earlier meetings with COAS General Kayani about having any knowledge about Memogate. As the Ambassador of Pakistan, it was Haqqani’s responsibility to inform the Foreign Office about the unfolding situation. It questions why the PM was kept unaware of the situation. (Jasarat Edit)

11. Khabrain editorial criticizes Defence Minister Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar’s demand of a road surcharge for the restoration of NATO supplies. It reminds Mukhtar that a decision was taken at the APC to stop NATO supplies permanently. (Khabrain Edit)

SINDH
1.Chief  of Jiye Sindh Quami Mahaz Bashir Qureshi said that the police had taken away three activists of JSQM – Naeem Sandro, Safdar Tanyo and Salam Solangi. Qureshi has warned of protests in Sindh if these leaders were not released by the police today. (Kawish)

POK/ G-B NEWS
1. A meeting of the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee was held in Islamabad, where Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and other officials from the department were present. The Kashmir Committee chairman instructed the Foreign office not to push aside the Kashmir issue while enhancing relations with India as Kashmir was the core issue. (Baad-e-Shimal, Jinnah)

2. Ausaf edit voices concern at the continued target killing in Gilgit City. The government as well as the local administration are toothless in front of a handful of miscreants. It goes on to say that peace committees, jirga, and meetings held to establish peace have just become formalities. People are already disturbed with load-shedding and shortage of gas and, in such a situation, target killings are increasing the frustration amongst the people. (Ausaf, 29 December)

3. Gilgit’s historical village lacks even basic amenities like electricity, roads, hospitals, and drinking water, even though the headquarters of the NLI regiment were in Bunji. Oil depot and other important offices were in Jaglot but there was no bridge connecting the two. (Baad-e-Shimal)

4. Reacting to reported moves to make G-B into separate province of Pakistan,, members of the central committee of JKLF warned that they will not allow this conspiracy against the unity of Kashmir to succeed. They said that such steps will give India an excuse to take control over J&K. (Baad-e-Shimal)