2. Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in Sindh were leaderless. Leaders from these minority communities said that their families and property were no longer safe in Pakistan. They said they looked up to enlightened leaders, liberals and Sindhi nationalist groups to help them get rid of threats from fundamentalists. Former member of the Sindh Assembly Michael Javed said that Christian youth were being killed in Isa Nagari and churches were being attacked. Javed claimed that property of Christians was being taken over in Sindh and that over 10,000 Christians had migrated to other countries. Dr. Ramesh Singh of the Pakistan Sikh Council said the Sikhs’ Gurudwara in Karachi had been taken over and the Nabi College had been constructed over it. He said that Sikhs had no representation in the Sindh Assembly and that Sikhs were not even being treated as Pakistani citizens. He said that there were about 7000 to 8000 Sikhs in Sindh. (Awami Awaz)

CHINA
1. In Ibrat, Sahir Siddiqui writes that the recent China visit by Pakistani PM and will give a boost to economic and constructive ties between the two countries and that the Sino-Pak friendship will become better over time. He points out that Pakistan had handed over the Gwadar Port to China and that this could usher in growth and better law and order conditions in the region. He says that the bilateral trade had registered 70% increase and reached USD 2.2 billion; both countries are actively pushing for a target of USD 15 billion. (Ibrat)

UNITED STATES
1. Gen. Kayani has refused to visit the US. He refused the visit as no meeting was scheduled for him with President Obama.  Kayani will however visit Moscow shortly. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

2. Even though Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has raised the issue of drone attacks with the US government, the US was not giving any importance to Pakistan’s protests and was continuing with its drone attacks. (Daily Pak Edit)

3. Pakistan should stop accepting aid and seek trade with foreign countries. (Ausaf Edit)

4. Jasarat says government expects a meeting between President Zardari and US President Obama, even though the schedule has not been fixed yet and Zardari has already arrived in New York. COAS Gen. Kayani will also visit the US soon to take part in a strategic dialogue with US officials, but Kayani’s schedule has also not been finalized. Edit writes that the US had lost the battle in Afghanistan; hence, Pakistan’s role had become indispensible. Edit writes that the draft of President Zardari’s speech for the UN had been changed, and that during his speech, he will demand to form a new law to stop blasphemy. Edit writes that Pakistani leaders will have to accept that the war on terror was in fact the war against humanity and Islam. (Jasarat Edit)

5. Jinnah is happy that US Senate has rejected a bill for scrapping aid to Pakistan.  Edit advises that Pakistan should not depend on the US for aid as it ends up being used by the US in return for the aid. Pakistan must give priority to trade instead. (Jinnah Edit)

6. Nawa-i-Waqt  writes that ‘Washington Post’ claimed that Pakistan and the US have finalized plans for a dialogue with Taliban, according to which Pakistan will be given a larger role in Afghanistan and Taliban will be given a safe route to enter Afghanistan and join the dialogue process. Edit is happy that India has not been mentioned anywhere. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

 INDIA
1. An American think-tank has advised that India should prepare for a traditional war with China and Pakistan and that New Delhi should increase its defense capability. (Jang)

2. CM of Gujarat in India Narendra Modi was gaining popularity once again amongst Muslims in the state. (Jang)

3. In Baad-e-Shimal, Mir Wahid-uz-Zaman expresses scepticism over Indo-Pak friendship through the ‘Aman ki Asha’ initiative. He writes that it is possible to grow flowers in the desert and light fires in water, but making friends with India is impossible.  (Baad-e-Shimal)

DEFENCE
1. A writ has been filed in the Islamabad High Court challenging the possible extension to Gen. Kayani’s service. The petitioner argues that Kayani has turned 60 on this April 20th; and as such the extension would be illegal. A Jinnah report says that the petitioner is Colonel (Retd.) Inam Advocate. According to Daily Pak report, the court dismissed the writ. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Daily Pak, Jinnah, Urdupoint, Ausaf)

2. Sources said that the Army has so far distributed more than 40 tons of dry rations to flood-affected people in Balochistan. (Ummat)

TERRORISM/EXTREMISM
1. Sunni Tehrik has welcomed the bounty announced by the Railways Minister on the head of the anti-Islam film producer. (Jasarat)

2. JuD Karachi chief Engineer Navid Qamar said that the US was the main culprit of blasphemy and it is backing blasphemers. He urged Muslim leaders to dissociate themselves from the UN and UNSC and form their own defense system and single currency. (Jasarat)

3. Leaders of parties in Difa-e Pakistan Council, in their address at JuI-S convention, said that publishing blasphemous cartoons and films was part of the crusade against Islam. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

4. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed said that Interior Minister Rahman Malik should not play politics over the issue of the Prophet’s dignity. (Ummat)

5. 3 religious parties have started preparations for the Namoose-e-Risalat Movement. (Ummat)

6. According to religious leaders, lakhs of people will participate in the protests on 29th September against the anti-Islam film. Journalists will protest today against the film at the Karachi Press Club. (Jasarat)

7. Nifaz-e-Shariat Convention was organized in Lahore under the aegis of JUI (Punjab); at this convention, the establishment of Sharia rule in Pakistan and across the world was stressed. JUI (Punjab) chief Mufti Habib-u-Rahman Darkhwasti presided over the convention and the central leaders of JUI Maulana Sami-ul-Haq and Maulana Abdur Rauf delivered key notes.  Leaders said that the world would be converted into an Islamic state and any force that comes in their way would be destroyed. They said that if the international community did not pay attention to the emotions of Muslims, there would be no guarantee of peace and that they would protect the Prophet’s honour by sacrificing their lives. Maulana Abdur Rauf Farooqi announced that on 14-15 November, ‘Nifaz-e-Shariat Long March’ will be carried out from Lahore to Rawalpindi. JuD chief Hafiz Saeed said that Muslim leaders have completely failed to protect the Prophet’s honour and to appease the US, they are protecting the interests of the crusaders. Saeed demanded that those who made the anti-Islam film should be hanged and that if the UN couldn’t make a law of hanging people who committed blasphemy, the Muslim countries should separate from both the UN and UNSC. Saeed said there were about 60 Muslim nations in the world and hence, they could have their own UN; he said that the Prophet’s cartoons and the film were part of a crusade being forced upon Muslims. Saeed advised Muslims to adopt the road of sacrifice and martyrdom to protect the honour of Islam and Prophet. He demanded that all diplomatic ties be scrapped with America and that Americans be ousted from Pakistan; otherwise, the situation would go out of control. Saeed said that on this issue, there would be no compromise. (Urdupoint)

8. Aziz Jamali writes about the hidden agenda of fundamentalists in the Friday rallies. He gives an eye witness account of what he saw in Karachi on Friday. Jamali claims he saw people in these rallies who frequently harm Islam’s interests; he says these elements had led the West to believe that Islam was an intolerant religion. He say that these people had plans to loot banks, set movie halls and vehicles on fire, seemed to be working for the US so that the West would have an opportunity to level charges that Muslim terrorist groups were using processions to spread mayhem. Jamali says the government looked weak throughout this while the banned groups and militants seemed to have overpowered government authorities. Jamali alleges that it should be kept in mind that this anti-Islam film came to light just a couple of months before the elections in the US and claims that anti-Obama forces were stoking this controversy as Obama had the support of Muslim votes in the previous elections. He says that this time, however, even Muslims in the US were against this film. He says that the film has been a big blow for the Obama government. Jamali says that now, since the elections were round the corner even in Pakistan,  PPP realized that religious parties were trying to cash in on this religious sentiment, and were trying to cause bloodshed in the name of religious sentiments. (Ibrat)

9. In his column, Abdul Hafeez Amirpuri writes in Pakistan which was created for the Muslims of the sub-continent, Islam and the honour of Prophet Muhammad are not being respected. He justifies the reaction to the anti-Islam film even the killing of blasphemers and asserts that the issue of blasphemy will not be resolved until Muslims understand the importance of killing of kafirs and waging jihad against them. (Al Qalam Weekly, 21 September to 27 September)

10. Daily Intekhab says that though protests against blasphemy were necessary, they should be carried out in a constitutional manner. There should be no violence during these protests and the people should behave properly. Edit says that certain radical elements take disadvantage of such situations. Those who loved Pakistan should be on the watch out. (Daily Intekhab Edit)

11. EDIT is critical of protestors damaging national and public property and causing harm to life during protests against the anti-Islam film. (Daily Pak Edit)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1.PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan said that the government will refuse to write to the Swiss authorities if the draft of the letter is not according to what the government wants. He said that the immunity enjoyed by the President will be mentioned in the letter. Ahsan said that the Supreme Court accepted that President Zardari had immunity and admitted that his strategy regarding former PM Gilani was wrong. (Jasarat, Ausaf)

2. While addressing a rally, JI chief Syed Munawar Hassan criticized the anti-Islam film and said that merely summoning the US envoy to Foreign office was not enough. He condemned killings and murder. He criticized Fazlur Rahman was equally responsible for corruption and other activities going on in Balochistan as he was a part of the Balochistan government. He said that if any military operation is carried out in North Waziristan, the entire nation will protest. Hassan demanded an end to military operations everywhere in the country. He urged for discontinuing the relationship with the US until a new international law against disrespect to the Prophet was introduced. He said that the operations were being carried out in the Malakand division and other tribal areas on US pressure. He said there was no Haqqani Network in Pakistan and that if they wanted to combat the Haqqani Network, they would have to go to Afghanistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt, Jinnah, Khabrain, Jasarat, Ausaf)

3. MQM’s Rabta Committee has demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour for his bounty announcement. It said that Bilour’s statement had defamed Pakistan.  Railway minister has said he stood by his statement regarding the bounty and rejected pressure of the leadership to resign. (Jasarat)

4. Talking to a delegation led by PTI Punjab’s political and strategic committee member Omer Farooq, PTI chief Imran Khan expressed hope that his Waziristan March will spread message of peace. He said that more Pakistanis were being killed by drone strikes as compared to those killed by terrorists. (Jinnah, Khabrain)

5. PML-Q leader Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain took notice of PML-Q’s Riyaz Hussain Pirzada joining PML-N; after taking advice of constitutional experts. He decided to  send a reference against Riyaz Hussain Pirzada to the Election Commission. (Jinnah)

6. PML-N and PML-Likeminded have decided to contest the elections together. (Jinnah)

7. In a private TV programme, Musharraf said that Benazir Bhutto was not popular amongst the Army and she was herself responsible for her assassination. (Jang)

8. Jang criticizes ministers with dual nationalities who are now sacked by the SC. It was wrong on their part to give wrong information to the Election Commission, since they know Constitutional provisions.  Political parties should be strict about this matter and must not give tickets to such candidates. Dual nationality is a risk for the security of any country. (Jang Edit)

9. Ausaf edit says though SC is seized of the dual nationality issue, MNAs were not showing willingness to end their foreign citizenship. Earlier, 12 MNAs were in the list of  lawmakers with dual nationality, but now the number has gone up to 30. (Ausaf Edit)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. There has been a 9.02 % drop in import of food articles during the first couple months of the current financial year. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

2.Post-programme negotiations between IMF and Pakistani officials will be held in Dubai on 25th September. IMF will assess whether the Pakistani economy was in a position or not to pay back the remainder of its loan. (Jasarat, Ausaf)

3. Khewra has over 6 billion tons of 99% pure edible salt deposits. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

4. Nawa-i-Waqt editorial criticised the increase in petrol and CNG prices. It says in India, the opposition made a big issue of a small hike in prices and blocked the entire train service. In Pakistan, however, the opposition is only interested in defeating the ruling party in the next elections. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

5. Auditor General of Pakistan Baland Akhtar Rana will be sent on forced leave for a year at the suggestion of President Zardari. Baland Rana had nationalities of 3 countries; he had acquired Canada’s nationality illegally. (Jasarat)

SINDH
1. Sindh Minister Pir Mazhar said that parties speaking in support of the Kalabagh Dam are feeling left out as a majority of their people were joining PPP. (Ibrat)

2. PPP Sindh Council members have asked government to amend the local government ordinance so that it becomes acceptable to Sindhis as well. They said if implemented in its present form, current state, it will end up as fodder for campaigning  One  member said that this ordinance had been brought in order to appease one of the coalition partners, at the cost of annoying the other two coalition partners. (Ibrat)

BALOCHISTAN
1. Ausaf edit on PM Ashraf’s flood relief for Balochistan says transparency should be maintained in the distribution of relief and utilisation of funds. (Ausaf Edit)

POK/GB NEWS
1. Apprehending terrorist attacks, the Gilgit-Chitral road has been once again been sealed. (Baad-e-Shimal, Ausaf)

2. AJK President Sardar Yaqoob Khan has vowed to take up the Kashmir issue strongly in the Islamic countries’ Foreign Ministers’ meet in the US. (Jang)

3.At the Gilgit-Baltistan Council meeting, Amjad Husain Advocate said that until Gilgit-Baltistan was made one of Pakistan’s provinces, no taxes could be levied here. (Baad-e-Shimal)

4. Secretary General of the United Kashmir Peoples National Party, Sardar Ishtiyaq Husain said that instead of making Gilgit-Baltistan a province of Pakistan, it should be given a special status.  He said that passing a resolution for making Gilgit-Baltistan a province of Pakistan has caused a great damage to the Kashmir issue. (Baad-e-Shimal)

5. Hajji Janbaaz Khan, opposition leader in Gilgit-Baltistan, alleged that there is no money in the treasury; and hence, all government institutions have become paralyzed. He claimed that the government doesn’t even have the money to pay salaries to employees. (Ausaf)

6. Gilgit-Baltistan Finance Minister Mohammad Ali Akhtar said that he will demand for Rs. 3 billion package from the Pakistani PM during the latter’s Gilgit visit in order to bail out G-B from a financial crisis. (Baad-e-Shimal)

7. National Highway Authority has sanctioned Rs. 8550 million for the Chitral Highway. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

8. Investigations were carried out against corruption in education, police, health and construction departments. (Baad-e-Shimal)