SOURCE: Ausaf, Ummat, Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt, Urdu Point, Daily Jinnah, Awami Awaz, Daily Dharti, Jasarat, Kawish, Daily Intekhab, Daily Times, Jang, Ibrat, Khabrain, Roznama Dunya, Hizb Media, Al Qalam Weekly, Baad-e-Shimal, Bang-e-Sahar, Sindh Express, Pk Voices.

UNITED STATES/RUSSIA
1. Russia has reportedly hacked the US Democratic Party’s computer networks. If this report is indeed true, it would mean an attempt to ‘interfere’ with the US presidential election. Revelation of this report shows that Trump’s opponents could not digest his victory. (Ausaf Edit)

AFGHANISTAN
1. A close aid of former Afghan Taliban Supreme Commander, Mullah Omer and former chief of Taliban’s office in Doha, (Qatar), Agha Tayyab has rejected reports that he is forming a new group to counter Afghan Taliban. In a letter written to Taliban Shura, Agha said his effort is to activate former colleagues of Mullah Omer who have been given wrong colours by the media. He is working as a Taliban member under the leadership of Maulvi Haibatullah and alleged that media is trying to undermined the victories of jihad. (Ummat)

2. Munir Ahmad Baloch in his column writes: former CIA Chief David Petraeus has given a clean chit to the ISI in his latest article. During his tenure as the Chief of the agency Petraeus tried to find out whether the ISI was helping destructive activities or terrorism in Afghanistan but there was no clue about any such involvement of the ISI. Now, he can say that ISI was not involved in any criminal activities in Afghanistan. On the other hand former US Defence Secretary said during his speech in a US University that India was carrying out terrorism in Pakistan via Afghanistan. Afghan affairs expert Musa Jalazai, in a column, ‘Afghanistan teeters on the brink’, asked two questions: one who had sabotaged negotiations with Afghan Taliban initiated by US, China, Pakistan and Afghan government six months ago; two who was behind attacking Mullah Mansoor? He alleges that India was behind it. India wants to sabotage peace process in Afghanistan in order to use its land against Pakistan. India cannot continue this in Afghanistan without the patronage of the US because Maulavi Fazlullah group is flourishing in Afghanistan under the shadow of the US, NATO and ISAF. (Roznama Dunya)

3. Afghanistan on its way to becoming a close Indian ally. Pakistan has tried to convince Afghanistan that its soil is not used against Afghanistan, rather RAW is interfering in Pakistan via Afghanistan. India imposed restrictions on Sartaj Aziz’s movements during the Heart of Asia Conference, violating diplomatic principles. PM’s special Assistant, Tariq Fatemi, met US National Security Advisor Susan Rice and informed her of Indian violation of human rights and aggression in J&K. The Foreign Secretary is of the opinion that the Indo-Afghan nexus and negative propaganda are a danger for regional security. (Jang-Edit)

4. The Afghan government is distressed since the confirmation of ties between Afghan Taliban and Iran and Russia. On the other hand Afghan president has given fresh invitation to Taliban. As many as 71 Police personnel have defected to Taliban and surrendered weapons in Helmond. (Ummat-Jasarat)

INDIA
1. The national symbol of ISI is ‘Markhor’, a Persian word that means snake eater.. It has long horns and with their help it can climb straight rocks. Markhor is fond of eating snakes. On the other hand Indian Hindus worship snakes. Pakistan forces with the association of the ISI have detained Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and achieved a great victory. This is the reason why India is hatching a conspiracy on an international level against Pakistani secret agency and forces. (Ausaf)

2. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed, in his reaction to Indian Home Minister’s statement of bifurcating Pakistan into 10 pieces, has warned that if India casts malicious eyes on Pakistan, then Pakistani people along with its Army will turn India into a state that will be remembered for centuries. Indian Home Minister is trying to boost his army’s lost courage, but it will not work. As a result of Kashmiris’ strong freedom movement, India will get divided into many parts and not only Kashmir but many of its states will be freed. India should remember that today’s Pakistan is not like it was in 1971. It is a nuclear power now. (Urdupoint)

3. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, reacting to Indian Home Minister’s statement of Pakistan becoming ten pieces, said the Indian leader has lost his senses. He may not know the status of Pakistan today. If Modi government continues in Delhi any longer, it is India that will be divided into pieces. (Urdupoint)

4. Indian forces have started ‘fake encounters’ after trying pellet guns and shelling to suppress the on-going freedom movement in Kashmir. Recently Indian forces martyred 3 youths in fake encounters in Kolgam and Pulwama and tortured their family members by entering their houses at late hours. On the other hand, the occupied forces have once again arrested JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik and put Hurriyat leaders under house arrest. Hard-core pro-India leader and former CM of Kashmir Farooq Abdullah has also vented his anger against Indian PM Modi and stated that the Indian government was responsible for the deteriorating situation in Kashmir. (Al Qalam Weekly, 9 -15 December)

5. Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman, Nafees Zakaria, has expressed concern over deteriorating situation in J&K. He said that resolving the Kashmir issue is inevitable to establish peace in the region. International community should take notice of the Indian aggression. Indian shelling in Neelum valley was retaliated by Pakistan. India is continuing violation of the LoC to divert attention away from the atrocities in J&K. (Jang)

INDIA – WATER
1. India has started water aggression against Pakistan and stopped the water of Chenab River. As a result water level at Marala Head is reduced to 4700 cusec instead of 55000 cusec as per the Sindh Water Treaty. (Roznama Dunya)

ECONOMY- POWER-WATER
Idris Rajput, a water expert of Sindh, writes: Sindh’s actual water woes have got embroiled in water disputes. The former WAPDA chairman, Jaffar Mahmood started a movement in 2015 to mobilise opinion in favour of Kalabagh Dam and Jaffar wrote about 26 articles in English and Urdu media in that pursuit. Jaffar kept replying and clarifying objections raised against the Kalabagh dam just to prove that objections raised were wrong and baseless. Some of his explanations were right, some partly right and remaining other absolutely wrong. Now that these explanations are on record, real picture should also come on record for the larger good of the people, and also for posterity. The record needs to be set right lest some wrong impressions are drawn that in view of Jaffa’s explanations, construction of Kalabagh is a must. Jaffar has also referred to water disputes in other countries too and said some of these disputes have been resolved through talks or with some give and take. Jaffar suggested to set up a committee under monitoring of Council of Common Interests and this committee should comprise of all four Chief Ministers to discuss water-related challenges. To mobilise public opinion in favour of Kalabagh, he also said technical experts should help Chief Ministers’ Committee and these technical experts should also view ANG Abbasi report. Abbasi is a technical expert based in Sindh who headed a technical committee set up during Musharraf times to look into feasibility of the Kalabagh dam. Jaffar is perhaps hinting that four chief ministers should consider some ‘give and take’ amongst provinces in the pursuit for building Kalabagh dam. A committee of technical experts was set up during Musharraf’s time. But what happened ultimately? Seven members were on one side and one member on the other side. That means they got spilt in to two schools of thought. Musharraf handed their reports to ANG Abbasi and asked him to give his opinion. Since there was no clear mention of Kalabagh in the terms of reference, Abbasi, clearly mentioned in his report that it will be beneficial to go for Diamir-Bhasha dam instead of pursuing the Kalabagh dam. Earlier, several committees on this dispute were set up but to no avail. The third option is courts. But courts too have failed to give clear verdict. This leaves last option -political leadership to find a way out against some give and take. The Indo-Pak water dispute was also ultimately settled through talks under overall monitoring by the US through the World Bank. The water dispute between Sindh and Punjab has been going on since the British times and could not be settled even 43 years after formation of Pakistan. In 1991, provinces in Pakistan held talks under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and some agreement was worked out in the spirit of ‘give and take’. It is however different matter that Punjab does not abide by this treaty because of its high-handedness and it’s playing Big Brother unto other small provinces. Talks on ‘give and take’ succeed only when there is a serious life and death survival issue at stake. In other words, there is no such scenario that if Kalabagh dam is not built, Pakistan will go thirsty and have harsh times ahead. There is no such serious necessity arising from the non-construction of Kalabagh. They have alternate options if Kalabagh is not built. In 2006, it was decided that Pakistan will build Diamir-Bhasha dam. Why is it not being built? Bhasha dam’s capacity to generate electricity and its water storage capacity are much greater than Kalabagh dam. (Kawish)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Working on tip off of a political activist, the Rangers have unearthed yet another huge cache of weapons, including a heavy machine gun at Surjani town, Karachi. These weapons were hidden under a newly-constructed washroom. The cache includes heavy machine gun, 8 sub machine guns, five rifles, 4 G3, 4.8m rifles, 5 repeaters, six pistols and 5500 live bullets amongst other weapons. This is the second cache to be found – first was unearthed at Azizabad some months ago. Five militants have been rounded up from Iqbal market of Aorangi town, Karachi. They have admitted to training in arms use and bomb making in Afghanistan; they have connections with the TTP and had planned attacks on religious processions, police sources said. (Kawish)

SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. Sindh Minister, Manzoor Wassan remarked that general elections could take place before time in 2017. The prevailing political situation is such. Elections may be held next year itself. (Awami Awaz)

POLITICAL SCENE
1. Mahmood Sham writes: Nawaz Sharif seems to be lucky enough to get a breather. A new Army Chief has taken over and now a new Chief Justice is also on way to take over. The eyes of the entire country are pinned on Supreme Court as it takes up for hearing the Panama issue. The charges against PM vis-à-vis Panama could see the PM packing off but that has not happened and the matter has now been kept for hearing next month. What can one say about a society where injustice rules, exchequer is looted, decisions at high places are postponed, and huge amounts earned without any hard work are sent abroad. (Ibrat Edit)

2. Hussain Azadi Memo in his article titled ‘Is MQM, London getting active again?’ writes: most media persons and politicians are surprised at the fact that the MQM- London is getting active again. The question is who is behind it. According to Nabil Gabol, who was with the MQM for some time, the militant wing of MQM is getting active again and the times to come in Karachi can become very violent. Saleem Safi, noted journalist also says Altaf’s facilitators are being given favourable treatment. The country’s establishment could be behind it or else it is not possible that parties like the MQM or any other religious party could do anything which would lead to unrest in the country. Political parties in Pakistan have often survived and worked under establishment’s shadow to weaken other parties. MQM’s continuity is also part of such an exercise. The MQM tried to spilt Sindh but it itself has got spilt. The ‘divide and rule’ also seems to be part of strategy to spilt the MQM but if a soft stand is taken unto MQM, London and if no restrictions are put on it, Sindh will have more violent unrest in the days ahead particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad. The defence policy makers have so far failed in their strategies and that is the reason Pakistan’s ties with neighbours like Iran, Afghanistan and India are not that good. If similar lacklustre policies continue within the country too, then militancy and fundamentalism can shoot up in in Karachi. In order to check all this MQM London needs to be banned and its militant wings crippled. If MQM London keeps up with their negative activities, not only will they be dangerous for other factions but also will use the Mohajir card to woo the establishment on their side. (Awami Awaz)

3. PPP has sought MQM-P’s help for protests on the Panama issue. PPP leader, Taj Hyder met Farooq Sattar and made the request. MQM- Pakistan has sought time to discuss the matter within the party. (Awami Awaz)

4. With new Chief Justice taking over, the Panama case will be re-heard in the first week of January. PTI is gearing up for protests once again. Indications were given to this effect by the PTI leaders during their press conference on Saturday in Lahore. PTI will hold a public rally at two places. The PTI leaders said they will support PPP if PPP launches protests after December 27 as it declared a few days ago. Right now there are only warnings of protests but if protests do take place in the coming days, the federal government will be blamed for these protests as the rulers are taking Panama charges very lightly and are not showing any seriousness. Such an attitude is bound to incense the Opposition. The government should give up its lackadaisical approach to Panama issue. And its ministers should refrain from making statements, which irritate the people and the Opposition parties alike. (Ibrat Edit)