UNITED STATES
1. America has not shown seriousness on Pakistan’s proposal to facilitate mediation with the Haqqani Network and thus end attacks on American interests in Afghanistan. (Jasarat)
2. America has carried out 57 drone attacks in North Waziristan so far in 2011, according to data compiled by the American think tank ‘New American Foundation’; the raids killed as many as 55 members of the Haqqani family. A son of Jalaluddin Haqqani was among the killed. (Jasarat)
3. America has not yet paid Pakistan USD 11 billion towards war expenses. (Ummat)
4. Saadi writes in his column (Al Qalam Weekly): America has been humiliated in Afghanistan in front of the Taliban and now when American general Mike Mullen is near retirement he is throwing smears of his defeats on Pakistan. ISI and Haqqani Network are not powerful in front of the might of America but all these were just excuses. In fact, the Taliban does control Afghanistan. Multi-national companies take permission from the Taliban before taking contracts and mobiles companies provide or reject services based on Taliban orders. …From Khost to Ghazani, the Taliban have firmly entrenched. …In Kandahar, Helmand and Zabil, Taliban have a virtual government. Former ambassador of Taliban, Maulvi Abdus Salam Zaif, is currently in Kabul and he has been in contact with the Taliban. Many delegations of the British government have called on Zaif in last few days and requested him to tell the Taliban not to target the British troops ‘since they were leaving Afghanistan’. On their part, the leaders of Pakistan are also disturbed that even after a loss of 80 billion dollars, 35,000 deaths and deportation of 600 Al Qaeda prisoners, America is not happy with them and is accusing Islamabad of not doing enough. If Pakistan’s leaders stop helping non-believers, Allah will end the crises Pakistan is facing; even the natural calamities that have befallen the country will stop”. (Al Qalam Weekly, 30 September-6 October)
5. Ausaf’s editorial says: America has conspired against the Pakistan army and ISI because COAS Gen Kayani is not working in line with American diktats. Kayani is not in favour of martial law in Pakistan. America is not in favour of democracy in Pakistan because America knows that if democracy prevails in Pakistan for more 10 years, all crises facing the country could be successfully resolved. Such a situation is not acceptable to America since it wants to split Pakistan. Kayani knows America’s intentions and as he is a professional general, he would defeat American plans. (Ausaf Edit, 28 September)
6. Khabrain’s editorial is on charged levelled by American lawmaker Ted Poe against Pakistan. It says: Mr. Poe is attached to Indian lobbies; hence he is blaming Pakistan and pressurizing the US to ban aid to Pakistan. It is a historical fact that whenever India adopted an aggressive attitude towards Pakistan it has had US support. Indian lobbies are active and influential in the US; most senior US leaders are working for India. These leaders are taking cues from Indian lobbies and they are targeting and accusing Pakistan as a result. These lobbies have the support of Israel which makes it easier for them to reach their goal. Pakistani Foreign Ministry should counter the propaganda by Indian lobbies in the US. (Khabrain Edit)
7. Jinnah editorially hailed China’s sincere support to Pakistan and asked Pakistan’s political leadership to remain firm in their resolve to stand up to the US pressure. (Jinnah Edit)
Security for the American Consulate in Peshawar has been tightened following the rise in tensions between the US and Pakistan. (Kawish)
AFGHANISTAN
1. Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq said Pak-Afghan relations are in good shape. He further added that daily 58,000 Afghans travel to Pakistan and one lakh Pakistanis are employed in Pakistan. (Ummat)
2. In Urdu Point, Mirza Ghazi writes: American army is safeguarding fields of opium in Afghanistan. Taliban government has banned cultivation of opium and hence it has been necessary for America to take control of Afghanistan into their hands to restart this illegal trade. Ahmed Wali, brother of Afghan president Hamid Karzai, who was killed by his bodyguards recently, was a high profile smuggler of opium and was on the payroll of the CIA. (Urdu Point)
3. Over 50 Afghan militants were killed in the on-going clash between security forces and militants in the Lower Deer along the Afghan border during the last one week. Reportedly, 35 Afghan militants have been killed on Tuesday and Wednesday alone. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
INDIA
1. Muhammad Ghalib, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir (UK), said Pakistan should adopt a clear and concrete policy on Kashmir in the APC to be held on 29th September to assess the situation in view of American threats. He said Pakistan should also take serious notice of the poison spewed by Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna in New York against Pakistan. Alleging that there is ample evidence of India’s involvement in Balochistan, he said the APC should send a message to India that if it will continue activism against Pakistan, then it will only increase tension in the region. (Ausaf. 28 September)
2. Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, President of AJK, called on former PM AJK Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry to discuss the latter’s tour of J&K. Both leaders discussed intra-Kashmir dialogue, the political situation in J&K and views of political leaders of J&K. Both condemned human rights violations and the presence of mass graves in J&K. (Ausaf 28 September)
3. India was involved in the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani because he had returned from India before the assassination and New Delhi was not happy over his talks with the Taliban, sources said. The Northern Alliance was working to save India from any problem in this case and hence Afghan intelligence blamed the Quetta Shura after evidence came up against India, the sources added. (Ummat)
4. Ausaf’s edit says that America plans to attack Pakistan and that India is with America in the enterprise. “America will strike on North Waziristan and India will undertake surgical strikes. In such a situation, China will help Pakistan since it has geo-strategic interests in Pakistan. More over if America and India get hold of Pakistan then it will create serious threats to China”. (Ausaf Edit, 28 September)
5. Editorials in Daily Intekhab, Daily Dharti and Ummat commended foreign minister Hina Rabbani for stressing on resolving the Kashmir issue without which peace in South Asia is not possible. Recently members of the Kashmir Committee have said India is not ready to resolve the Kashmir issue and hence it is necessary that the UN should act on what Pakistan’s Foreign Minister has said and make India confer the self-determination right to Kashmiris. (Daily Intekhab Edit/Daily Dharti Edit/Ummat Edit)
6. Nawa-i-Waqt commenting editorially on foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s address at the UN’s General Assembly says Kashmir is like the jugular vein for Pakistan. India attacked Pakistan thrice and had split the country once. In order to punish Pakistan for its support to Kashmir, India has upset the peace of the entire region. India is behind terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In so far as Pakistan’s aspiration for temporary seat in Security Council is concerned, well there can be no better candidate other than Pakistan for the berth. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
DEFENCE
1. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, the military leadership will attend the APC. DG-ISI Gen Shuja Pasha and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will brief the participants on US-Pak relations and tensions as well as the security situation in the country. (Daily Pak)
2. Security agencies have arrested a terrorist belonging to the Qari Shakeel group, involved in a bombing in Islamabad, from near Margalla hills. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
3. CID police have arrested 2 terrorists identified as Ajmal and Rahman from Karachi. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
4. Speaking at a seminar, ‘America’s aggressive intention and our responsibilities’, Lt. Gen.(retd) Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Maj. Gen. (rtd) Rahat Latif, and Majid Nizami, and others said Pakistan is ready to counter any external aggression and India should also get a message that in case of any aggression from its side, Pakistan will give a fitting response. (Daily Pak)
TERRORISM- EXTREMISM
1. PTI Chief Imran Khan said that operations against the Haqqani Network is not the solution to the problem as any operation would affect the lives of 3.5 lakh tribesmen; the problem could only be resolved by talks. (Jang)
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. Muhammad Hussain Mahenti, President of JI Karachi said that American threats will not deter Pakistan. (Jasarat)
2. Former Chief of Army Gen (r) Mirza Aslam Beg said that amidst high tension between the US and Pakistan, silence maintained by President Zardari who happened to be the Supreme Commander of Armed forces was mysterious. This isn’t the time to save one’s skin. The President should come out to the front to handle the situation. (Jang)
3. Hamid Mir in his column says: “A close aide of former President Gen (r) Musharraf asked him to forget the bitter past and welcome Musharraf on his return on 23rd March 2012. Ahmad Raza Kasuri offered to be on the flight that would bring Musharraf to Pakistan and hinted that he would not land at Karachi Airport but at Lahore or Islamabad. I asked Kasuri about the various allegations against the former President to which he replied that Musharraf is coming to go to jail but would not remain there for long as he could not be punished in any case without proper proof. I believe Musharraf would take the stand that he was not alone in whatever had happened in the past but many army officers including the present COAS Kayani were a part of every conspiracy; Musharraf’s release would affect the judiciary and Balochistan separatists would get a chance to say that if breaking constitution is no crime then breaking Pakistan is also right. I wonder why Musharraf is coming to Pakistan but I personally want Musharraf return if only to see that what Pakistan’s democratic government, civil Society, Parliament, judiciary, and media would do and how the religious fanatics react”. (Jang)
4. Ibrat edit says expectations are high from the all-party meeting being held today; it hopes the outcome would help restore Pakistan’s image internationally. (Ibrat Edit)
5. Nawa-i-Waqt editorial: “In response to the PM’s call for an APC, apart from all the important political leaders even the army leadership has agreed to join the conference. In view of US threats for land attacks, Pakistan’s armed forces should remain alert; the situation calls for national unity and integrity. Those in charge should implement the joint decision taken at the APC. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
WATER – ECONOMY
1. Knowingly or unknowingly, the PM’s special assistant, Kamal Majidullah, representing Pakistan in the Kishenganga Dam case in the International Court has played right into the hands of India and presented Pakistan’s loss as gain in the case, says the Water and Electricity Ministry. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
2. Transparency International Pakistan has said that Pakistan could save USD 10 billion by checking corruption and creating a proper tax net. (Jang)
3. Jasarat editorially laments that the Pakistani railways have stopped 115 services due to old engines. (Jasarat Edit)
BALOCHISTAN
1. Balochistan National Party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal has rejected the invitation to the All Party Conference saying that they could not sit with the killers of their people. (Jang)
2. SC Bar Chief, Asma Jehagir has said that she will visit Balochistan three times in a year to monitor closely the law and order conditions, which she described as not satisfactory. She said that foreign super powers are playing dangerous games in Balochistan. She warned that poor conditions may enable them to succeed. She said that it is good that the government has convened an all party meet, but it is not enough. The government should also address issues confronting the people too. (Awami Awaz, 28 September)
3. Ayat Ali Durrani has said that it may not be useful to hold talks with sardars and political leaders of Balochistan since they don’t hold the true power. He stated that parliament is also powerless. He said that most of the groups in Balochistan are gearing up for an attack on Pakistan on behalf of the US. He said that disgruntled elements and groups in Balochistan have their eye on destinations outside Pakistan. (Awami Awaz, 28 September)
4. A private jail of Wadera Ghulam Qadar Masoori Bugti has been discovered in Sui where 17 persons were imprisoned. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAH (NWFP/FATA)
1. The corps commander of Peshawar gave a briefing to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwah cabinet on North Waziristan situation. Following the briefing, an operation was under consideration in North Waziristan. (Kawish)
2. Peshawar police have tightened security in view of PM’s visit to the city. One vehicle was detained on suspicion and upon inspection, police found huge arms in it. The police have since seized the vehicle and took into custody two brothers who were in the vehicle. The weapons were reportedly being smuggled into Sindh. (Kawish/Baad-e-Shimal /Daily Pak)
SINDH
1. Government earmarked allocated Rs. 7.85 for flood relief work in 2010 but only Rs. 202.8 million was released to the flood hit Sindh. The remaining amount has been kept in the bank and the federal government is earning interest on it. (Jinnah)
2. Several youth came out on the roads with Awami Tehreek to register protests against jobs at Thar Coal being given to outsiders. The agitators said authorities are doling out jobs to Punjabis ignoring local Sindhis. They have threatened to intensify the stir if this step-motherly treatment continued any longer. (Kawish)
POK NEWS
1. PM Gilani will inaugurate a bridge in Dhan Gali (Mirpur) and will address the people affected by the construction of Mangla Dam. (Ausaf, 28 September)
2. Financial condition of AJK has worsened; it has become difficult for the government to pay salaries to employees. The federal government has promised to provide as adhoc relief Rs. 1 billion but so far no money has been released. AJK government needs at least Rs. 3 billion to overcome its current financial problems. (Ausaf, 28 September)
3. Election Commission of Pakistan has removed the names of 4 lakh Kashmiri voters from the electoral rolls saying that one person could have the right of casting only one vote. (Jang Baad-e-Shimal/ Jinnah)
GILGIT-BALTISTAN NEWS
1. Fakir Shah, President of the Central Anjuman Imamiya (Gilgit), has voiced concern over corruption in local government institutions. He said the region is witnessing nepotism and violation of merits in recruitments. These issues should be addressed immediately. (Ausaf, 28 Sept)
2. Shah Zahir, zonal member of MQM (Gilgit) said that MQM will oppose taxes on the people of Gilgit- Baltistan. He said Zahir said people should be given constitutional rights before taxes are levied on them. He said that GB has so far not obtained the status of a province and it has no representative in National Assembly and Senate. (Ausaf, 28 September)
3. GB students are fed up of Karakoram University’s policies. The university board has failed the students in order to extract money. The results of examinations are declared very late and there are several mistakes in the mark sheets and other documents given to students which are creating grave problems for the students. (Baad-e-Shimal)
4. Though the GB government has taken few steps in the health sector but a lot more facilities are needed. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
5. A clash between two groups in Astore resulted in the death of a child. Police could not reach the place in time to avert the clash. Police have since set up a check post at the spot and arrested 25 persons. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)
