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.

CHINA -CPEC

1. Pakistan has invited India to join CPEC. China has positively reacted to the proposal and said if India can abandon its aggressive policy it could benefit India. However, India has not responded so far. It had earlier said that CPEC was against its sovereignty. If anyone thinks that India will accept any reasonable suggestion, well, it is a misunderstanding that one should remove one’s mind. Moreover there is a fascistic Hindu government in India; it won’t accept any sound proposal. (Jasarat Edit)

2. One more Chinese ship will reach Gwadar Port after the Christmas, according to the acting Chinese envoy to Pakistan. In a tweet he also said that every month, at least two big vessels will regularly anchor at the Gwadar Port. (Daily Intekhab)

3. Sixth coordination meeting of the CPEC is taking place in Beijing on December 29. All four Chief Ministers of the provinces are also attending the meeting. (Kawish, Roznama Dunya)

4. PTI Chief Imran Khan said CPEC should not be allowed to become another Kala Baugh Dam. And extended full support to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwah CM Pervez Khattak’s announcement of convening CPEC conference to discuss to the interests of Sindh, Balochistan and KPK vis-à-vis the Chinese sponsored corridor project. He said the success of CPEC is linked with establishment of peace in Balochistan. (Khabrain Edit)

5. Uzbekistan vice-president has said that his country is thinking about joining CPEC. (Jasarat, Kawish)

UNITED STATES

1. Pakistan should make release of Dr. Shakil conditional to Dr Aafia’s release. (Jang Edit)

2. Leaders of International Majlis- e -Tahaffuz –e- Nabuwat have termed as foolish the US demand to abolish laws against Qadiyani. “We will not allow this.” (Jang)

AFGHANISTAN  

1. The security forces have foiled the terrorists’ bid to transport explosive material on donkey back from Afghanistan province of Paktia to Kurram agency. (Roznama Dunya)

2. Tripartite meeting between Pakistan, China and Russia to discuss Afghanistan situation will be held in Moscow tomorrow. (Roznama Dunya)

3. JUI Chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq said that Afghan Taliban is fighting against NATO forces and the US in Afghanistan. He regretted that terrorism is lined with Madaris under the guise of NAP. He held the government responsible for the poor law and order in the country. Neither the Ulema nor Madaris are responsible for this. (Jasarat, Jang, Roznama Dunya)

INDIA-KASHMIR

1. India has reduced the fee for citizenship in respect of Hindus of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and other minorities. The new fees will be just Rupees 100 against Rupees 15,000 at present. (Jasarat)

2. For last four months, India is giving citizenship of Kashmir to non-Kashmiri Hindus to affect the demography of Kashmir. This will also end its Muslim majority status. Approximately 19,960 non-Kashmiris have so far been received the benefit. Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Yasin Malik have that they will foil agenda of the enemy. A complete strike was observed in Pulwama on the occasion of anniversary of mujahid Umais who was martyred by the Indian Army in Bandipora a year ago. (Jasarat)

3. AJK leaders have strongly protested the ‘conspiracy’ of the Indian government to end Muslim majority in Occupied Kashmir, by contriving a policy to settle so called refugees permanently in Jammu. President of Azad Kashmir Masood Khan, Mir Waiz, Agha Hasan, Mustafa Kamal and others were reacting to a proposal of the Indian government to drastically reduce fees for acquiring Indian citizenship to all minority community members from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The fee has been reduced to a mere Rs. 100 from the existing Rs. 15000. This step is likely to attract many people from minority communities like Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Parsees, Buddhists and others. They said that this proposal is a serious violation of the resolutions of the United Nations and declared that it is in no way acceptable to them. They warned the Indian government that unless it drops the proposal people of Occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir would further intensify their stir. (Daily Dharti)

4. Former RAW Chief A S Daulat has suggested to Prime Minister Modi that Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue. It is a welcome suggestion. Pakistan welcomed Daulat –speak. Modi has also seen that use of power produced no results. Talks will be the best option for resolving this long festering conflict. (Daily Pak Edit)

5. Khurram Dastagir, the federal Commerce Minister, said it will not be in the interests of Pakistan to stop the Indo-Pak trade. A lot of raw material comes from India and it is used in Pakistani factories and if this raw material stops, it will lead to the shutdown of these factories. Asked why trade continues with India despite LOC firing and violation of ceasefire, he told the Senate that stopping to do any business with India is not an effective weapon. Ending India-Pak trade will not affect India much but Pakistan will suffer more. (Sindh Express)

6. India is so disturbed with his Balochistan visit as if he has visited Delhi JuD Chief, Hafiz Saeed said while talking to Dunya News, after his returning from Balochistan, where he had held meetings with over 100 tribal leaders. He said Balochs link their future with Pakistan and do not want any terrorism or disruption in Balochistan. Saeed said CPEC project will end sense of deprivation from Balochs. He added that if Shah Zen Bugti says that he is ready for jihad against India on the Kashmir front, why he should not be welcomed. On Tariq Fatemi’s failed visit to the US, Hafiz Saeed said that instead of wasting his time, requesting for meetings with Trump, Tariq Fatemi should have lobbied on Kashmir that would have exposed India. (Roznama Dunya)

INDIA   – WATER

1. WB should put pressure on India to respect the Indus Water Treaty. Pakistan, Sindh in particular is already reeling under water shortage and if Pakistan’s share of water is blocked, then it would amount to India going to any extent to keep Pakistan thirsty. The WB needs to look into the matter without any more delay. (Sindh Express Edit)

2. Finance Minister Dar has written a letter to the World Bank, demanding that an arbitrator be appointed to resolve the latest dispute over Indus Water Treaty (IWT). The Bank should heed the request because if bilateral solution is sought, India will resort to power politics on water issues also, like it has done on Kashmir. This will destroy regional peace. So to restrain India from water aggression; the World Bank should appoint International court chairman. (Jang Edit)

3. JI Chief, Siraj-ul-Haq, has warned that if the Indian PM makes the mistake of stopping even a drop of water to Pakistan, he will have to repent for rest of his life. The international community should take note of water related high-handedness of India and save the region from a deadly war. (Awami Awaz)

4. Due to India’s water aggression, Chenab River is drying up and the water has come down to four thousand cusecs. Marala Ravi Link Canal has dried and lakhs of acres of crop have been destroyed in Sialkot and other districts. India blocked water of Pakistan from Baglihar Dam in Jammu and Kashmir. Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said that there would be war if India tried to stop Pakistan’s water. It is matter of concern that the World Bank and the world community are not discharging their roles as required on the water issues between Pakistan and India. Pakistan will not allow ‘pampered child’ status to be given to India. The status of most favoured nation to India will not be allowed. Any attempt to lessen water supply to Pakistan or any attempt to block waters to Pakistan by India will be viewed as an act of war. He made these statements while speaking to the media at Garhi Khuda Bux in Sindh. It is the same place where PPP is holding Benazir’s anniversary function. (Baad-e-Shimal, Jasarat, Khabrain, Daily Intekhab, Sindh Express, Roznama Dunya, Urdupoint)

INDIA – FILMS

1. According to an estimate, every Indian movie earns between Rupees 50 to 60 crores in Pakistan, whereas Pakistani films are suffering because of screening of Indian films. (Ummat)

2. Pakistanis have demanded complete ban on India’s movies. India is inflicting atrocities on the people of Kashmir and the firing at the LoC. In such a situation, why should Pakistan give financial advantages to India by showing its movies? (Ummat)

3. In dozens of recently made movies, India accused Pakistan as a terrorist country, whereas the fact is that India is a terrorist nation. Moreover, Pakistan has banned 17 Indian movies for their anti-Pak content. (Ummat)

4. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Chief Hafiz Naim-ur-Rahman has demanded that cinema houses that screen Indian movies should be closed down. He accused Indian movies of promoting obscenity. These movies earn crores of rupees in Pakistan and this money is used to inflict atrocities upon people of Kashmir. Rahman went on to say that the release of Indian movies in Pakistan is not acceptable to nationalist people of Pakistan. (Ummat)

ARMY/SECURITY FORCES  

1. The new Sindh Police Chief will be better than the outgoing one A D Khwaja Syed Ghani, says a PPP senator who is also one of the advisors to the Sindh government. Speaking at the Larkana Press Club, he however, did not divulge any more details including the names of candidates under consideration for the job. (Kawish)

2. Army Chief Gen Bajwa now in Quetta, will address the army officers at Quetta Garrison, according to ISPR. (Urdupoint)

3. Chief of the Southern Command, Lt. Gen. Amir Riyaz has invited terrorists to surrender their weapons and join the national mainstream. Addressing a rally to mark the Jinnah Day at Ziarat, he said that many disgruntled Baloch brothers have surrendered weapons. More will join the mainstream. The Frontier Corps IG, Major Gen. Nadeem Anjum, in his address, said that there is no place for terrorists in Balochistan. Strong action will be taken against the terrorists. (Jang)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM

1. Federal government has decided to amend the law in order to restrain members of banned organization members from contesting elections. (Jang)

2. Suicide bombing cases in Balochistan have increased three fold as compared to last year. In 2015, there were only two cases of suicide bombings which claimed 11 lives and injured 12 but the death toll in six suicide attacks in 2016 has been more than 200 deaths. Spokesperson for Balochistan government Anwarul Haq Kakad said maximum casualties have been of Police personnel’s and lawyers. We are living in a conflict zone. There are forces here who do not want to see us strong. (Daily Intekhab)

3. In all 12 extremists, along with their commander Khairu alias Show-biz surrendered before Sector Commander (East), Brigadier Amjad Ali Mati on the occasion of 140th Anniversary of Qaid-e-Azam. They were involved in attacks on the gas pipelines and other crimes. (Jinnah, Jang, Roznama Dunya)

4. CTD in an operation arrested terrorist Akhtar Ali from Mingora in Swat. (Urdupoint)

5. Secret services agencies have alerted the Police that a suicide attacker has sneaked into Lahore, and that he could target New Year functions in the city. Security has been beefed up at all entry and exit points. (Roznama Dunya)

ECONOMY/POWER/WATER

1. Tanveer Raza Mahmood says that to create consensus, the government is considering to send first ever water policy relating to tariff, distribution and other issues to the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The policy will seek to reduce water wastage and minimise water consumption. Sindh and KPK have suggested that instead of the federal government, provinces should decide the water tariff. Despite several meetings that have been held over the past one year, consensus has remained elusive. Hence Water and Electricity Ministry is thinking of taking up the matter with the CCI.  (Sindh Express)

2. Due to World Bank and ADB’s reservations over funding of Diamer Bhasha Dam, the government is considering Ghazi-Barotha Dam. They will take fund on Ghazi-Barotha Dam and spend it on Diamer Bhasha Dam. (Khabrain)

SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB

1. Nabil Gabol, a PPP leader, who had joined the MQM, said ‘I have come all the way to stand by side of the oppressed (at Jarwar, interior of Ghotki, Sindh). He said. Zardari is going to speak tomorrow (at Benazir’s anniversary function near Larkana) but he want to warn Zardari that there are conspiracies being cooked against him. Home Minister, Nisar Chaudhary is playing a key role in that conspiracy. PML (N) is making all preparations to win 2018 polls. Soon, PPP and PTI are going to make announcements to come out on the streets against the government. (Sindh Express)

2. After raiding office of Anwar Majeed (Zardari’s close aide), his residence too has been raided, and weapons have been seized and two private security guards have been taken into custody. Khwaza Salman, another senior person of the Omni Group, who was proceeding to Dubai, was stopped at the Karachi airport. He was not allowed to leave the country. Intelligence sources claim that two cases were registered against Majeed and Khwaza Salman at two police stations in Karachi. The Omni Group has come out with a statement denying any raid on Majeed’s residence. It also stated that the Omni group is not involved in keeping any illegally acquired weapons. (Sindh Express)

3. The Federal Home Ministry has written to the UK authorities requesting that the money laundering case against Altaf Hussain be re-opened. (Awami Awaz)

POLITICAL SCENE  

1. As per political circles, there is possibility of conducting general elections in 2017 instead of 2018. The Sharif government is also considering to reduce the term of National Assembly to four years. (Khabrain)

2. Rumours have started making rounds that Zardari will soon go back abroad again. He will return by the end of the year or early next year. These rumours are aimed at conveying a message that there is no pressure on Zardari with regards to his going back abroad. Sources in PPP however indicated he can go back to Dubai for medical treatment but no date is fixed so far in this connection. (Kawish)

3. Dr. Ayub Sheikh, in his article, ‘Zardari’s return to Pak politics’, says Zardari has indicated in his addresses that he is likely to fly back to Dubai on December 30. This indicates that he will keep coming in and going out of the country. Whenever he is in Pakistan, he will be staying more in Punjab. After compromising with all those who matter, Zardari will also have to take note of those within PPP who say and believe that PPP has no future in Punjab unless it takes up genuine opposition role. (Awami Awaz)

4. Sheikh Israr writes: Zardari has decided to call on all the parties for a grand alliance against the government. He gave this indication to PML (Q) Chief Shujaat Chaudhry, who met him at Bilawal house in Karachi yesterday. Shujaat Chaudhry expressed displeasure with PML (N) government and told Zardari to form a grand alliance. Shujaat told Zardari ‘you lead all of us, we are with you’. Zardari replied saying that ‘if the government does not accede to our PPP’s four demands, we will form a grand alliance’. He will announce the alliance plan n Benazir’s death anniversary. (Sindh Express, Daily Intekhab)

5. Khawaja Syed Rafique, Railway Minister said that December 27 will come and pass off peacefully. Let’s hear PPP leaders at the anniversary (Benazir’s assassination) meeting and then we will react. Zardari has returned after 18 months, we do not want to spoil his mood by speaking something tough. PML (N) wants Zardari to continue staying in Pakistan. Leading PPP Zardari should guide his prince Bilawal Bhutto politically. (Sindh Express)

6. Federal Minister for the Interior Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan claims that he has levelled several charges against the Opposition leader. It looks the country is witnessing action replay of 1990 politics. At a time when China is making colossal investments in Pakistan, politicians in the country are levelling charges against each other. What kind of message is being sent abroad through such exchanges in foul language? Instead of using press conferences to speak against one another, level charges and to intimidate one another, assembly floor should be used to settle the differences. (Ibrat Edit)

POK/G-B NEWS 

1. Gilgit-Baltistan’s Deputy Speaker Jafarullah said that CPEC was under threat due to no check on religious seminaries. Due to the communal persons in Karakoram International University violence has been taking place in the region. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal)

2. Gilgit-Baltistan Education Minister Ibrahim Sanai has claimed that the money was sent via Balochistan to sabotage the CPEC. He will disclose the names of persons involved at a suitable time. (Baad-e-Shimal, Daily K2)

3. Federal Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar has assured CM Hafiz-ur-Rahman of providing support in maintaining peace and harmony in Gilgit-Baltistan. This is a welcome promise. Peace is the key to safety of the CPEC. (Daily K2 Edit, Baad-e-Shimal Edit)