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
1. CPEC is a very important project for Gilgit-Baltistan. Everyone should support the government in successful completion of the project. Pakistan is strategically at a very important place on the world map; it has become a bridge for oil, gas, agriculture, industrial products and markets for the entire world. (Daily K2 Edit)
RUSSIA/UNITED STATES/IRAN
1. Soviet Union disintegrated and lost power. But Moscow has once again started testing its fate by committing aggression against Islamic regions. Russia is doing this in the name of cooperation with Iran and allies. Russian forces have inflicted inhuman atrocities in the Syrian city of Aleppo along with Iranian and Syrian forces. The crash of the Russian plane with 92 military personnel on board is the warning from almighty Allah to Russia. It should stop its tyranny. A tyrant always suffers the same fate. (Al Qalam Edit, 31 Dec 2016 to 6 Jan 2017)
2. US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the establishment of Jewish colonies in Palestine is not only bad for Palestine but also for the democratic future of Israel. This is a welcome statement. Israel should accept Palestine as a reality. Kerry would be soon demitting office; it is unlikely that the new Trump Administration will continue with the same policy on Israel. President-elect Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Israel’s Palestine policies. Hence it seems difficult that Trump would appreciate what Kerry had suggested. Only if he develops a deep understanding of the Israel-Palestine problem, he would change his approach. (Daily Pak Edit)
3. Zardari has selected former Pak ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, for establishing contacts with US President elect Donald Trump. PML (N) has failed so far to establish ties with the incoming US administration despite of release of USD 2 million from PM’s discretionary funds. Wife of Haqqani is also part of PPP’s mission in the US. Both, PPP and the US are on the same page about Shakeel Afridi, who stands accused of spying for the US on the whereabouts of Al Qaeda Chief Osama Bin Laden and for Operation Abbottabad. (Ummat)
AFGHANISTAN
1. Iran and Russia’s building relations with Taliban. This has increased Afghanistan’s concerns. One Taliban commander said with Russian help in a year, for the second time in October, Kunduz city was captured. Another informed that Taliban representatives have held many meetings with the Russian leaders recently in Moscow and Tajikistan. (Jang)
2. Afghan Taliban continues to put pressure on government forces despite the onset of winter. Taliban don’t want to give any respite to the US and Kabul governments to do preparations for war in the summer. The success of Taliban is clear from the outcome of the tripartite conference held in Moscow recently. This conference was a clear signal of the defeat of the US in Afghanistan. Future of Islam is bright in Afghanistan. On the political front Hizb-e-Islami is active. The Taliban is looking after the military front. However, Afghan nationals should be alert to the US games. (Ummat)
3. Casualties have reached 20 in the attack on Afghan parliamentarian Mir Wali. Taliban have owned responsibility for the attack and said that they targeted Wali as planning for anti-Taliban ops was done at his house. In Helmand, a fidayeen rammed his explosive laden vehicle into a military convoy. 13 army personnel were killed and seven tanks were destroyed. On Kabul- Kandahar Highway, Taliban targeted and killed District Intelligence Chief along with three policemen police personnel; five army men going towards Darab were killed by a sniper. A report prepared by Special Inspector General said in the first eight months of the Year 2016, as many as 5500 government troops were killed and more than 10 thousands were injured. (Al Qalam Weekly, 31 Dec 2016 to 6 Jan 2017)
INDIA
1. Indian cyber warrior has hacked the website of Election Commission and posted Indian flag and ‘Vande Mataram’ on the site, but all data is secure, DG, IT, Election Commission, Khizar Aziz, told a private TV channel. (Khabrain, Jasarat, Roznama Dunya, Urdupoint)
2. Indian Army triggered unprovoked firing in Abbaspur sector which continued for an hour. Pakistan’s retaliation made Indian forces back out. (Jang)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. Pakistan Navy has begun work on its 4th fast attack craft (missile boat). Maritime Technology Complex has prepared the design. (Jang, Urdupoint)
2. Members of Parliamentary standing committee on defence, which has cleared the Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill 2016, visited the Air Head Quarters in Islamabad. Air chief gave them briefing on PAF’s responsibilities, and its role in Op Zarb-e Azb. The lawmakers visited Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra. (Urdupoint)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Government has drafted a new safety act by integrating the ‘Anti-Terror Act’ and ‘Safety of Pakistan Act’. The new legislation will decide the fate of Military Courts as their validity period will end on 7th January 2017. Afer operation Zarb-e-Azb the situation has changed a lot. So it is advisable to wind up the military courts and transfer all their pending cases to the ‘Counter Terrorism Courts’ which are functioning under the normal judicial system. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
2. The decision to extend the life of military courts is welcome step. These courts were set up when nation was passing through an emergency like situation. These courts have ordered the execution of several hard-core terrorists. Earlier terrorists used to take advantage of complex legal processes and short-comings of the investigation agencies. It is the government that decides as to which cases should be sent to the military courts. Therefore, extension of the military courts should not be criticized as stability of Pakistan is linked with peace and development. (Khabrain Edit)
3. Though the time limit for military courts is expiring next month, provincial governments have not yet made any alternate arrangements. The military courts have settled many terror related cases. There are thousands of cases that have not been referred to these courts as the cases involve terrorists and their facilitator who have government’s support. These terrorists have either friendly relations with the government or they enjoy political backing. (Roznama Dunya Edit)
4. PPP senator Farhatullah Babar said that before extending army courts’ tenure, their performance should be evaluated. No one knows who is being punished by these courts and for what crime. No one knows if the convicted person is a militant or a petty criminal. Even orders for hanging are given on twitter. Nominees of Human rights commission are not allowed to be present during hearing in a military court. (Kawish)
ECONOMY/POWER/WATER
1. Though the federal government has a good team of economic managers and consultants, its decisions lack far sight. This is leading to economic downfall and unrest. Now comes the announcement that petrol would be costlier. It is nothing short of throwing bomb at the people. (Kawish Edit)
2. Forbes has reported some improvement in Pakistan’s economic situation. Population increase, food shortages, uncertain regional situation, terrorism, and people still languishing under poverty line are among the areas of concern. Pakistan depends more on import even as its export are declining. Gas shortages persist. Water reservoirs are going dry. India is threatening to stop water from the rivers flowing from Kashmir. These are factors undermine economic progress of Pakistan. (Jang Edit)
3. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assertion that his government would free the nation from the scourge of load shedding by 2018 is against ground realities. (Roznama Dunya Edit)
4. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said 10,000MW of electricity will be added to the national grid by next year. Out of this 5000 MWs will come from energy projects taken up under CPEC. (Urdupoint)
5. The government is not taking sufficient steps to curb adulteration in food products. (Jang Edit)
SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. The Sindh government has succeeded in getting three of its projects included in the CPEC meeting held in Beijing yesterday. These projects are Karachi circular railway, Keti Bandar and Dhabeji industrial zone. The Provincial Government had worked overtime to convince the Centre and finally has managed to have its way. Now is the time for all concerned agencies and departments in the Sindh to complete all the related formalities to ground these projects without any delay. (Awami Awaz Edit)
2. The CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee has approved inclusion of 12 important projects of Balochistan in the China-Pak corridor. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri attended the JCC meeting held in Beijing. Five additional berths in Gwadar Port including construction of back water and dredging, construction of East Bay Express to connect Gwadar Port to the airport, construction of Bau Steel Park in Phase-II, a steel plant, and a mobile plant in Free Zone and Quetta Mass Transit Train project are among these ventures. The JCC meeting has approved one industrial zone for every province. Industrial zones will be set up in FATA, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and Gwadar. (Jinnah)
3. Assistant Commissioner across Punjab Province went on strike. Their offices were locked as a result. The strike is a sequel to amendments in ‘Civil Service Act’, which are opposed by the ACs. (Khabrain)
4. PPP Senior leader Manzoor Watto said 1.2 crore children are engaged in child labour in Punjab. (Nawa-i-Waqt)
5. Farooq Sattar said MQM does not want to split Karachi. People of Karachi want to see Karachi politics from one platform. Speaking to media during a cultural festival at Nishtar Park he said that three persons were taken into custody from MQM-P. There is no question of any alliance with Altaf Hussain after his August 22 controversial statements. “We want to do politics in Pakistan by remaining within the country”. (Kawish)
6. PTI has announced plans to hold protest rallies in Punjab and KPK to create awareness on Panama case. The Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Quereshi will address these rallies. (Sindh Express)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has held out an open invitation to the Opposition to work with the government for the good of the country. He made the offer while speaking after inaugurating Chashma-3 nuclear project. Political parties should not give up national interest at the altar of political expediency. Nawaz appears sincere in his offer. Already joint efforts of the government and the opposition are visible at the CPEC meeting held in Beijing yesterday. Joint efforts of Federal Minister for Planning and Projects Ahsan Iqbal and Khyber Pakhtunkhwah CM Pervez Khatak helped some CPEC projects get approval. (Ausaf Edit, Jang Edit
2. Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi returned to New York on Thursday after meeting top political and military officials during her weeklong stay in the country. She came home especially in the context of change in the military leadership. (Jang)
3 Many senior analysts taking part in a Geo News program hosted by Ayesha Bakhsh, held the view that Asif Zardari should be the opposition leader in the National Assembly, as he formulates the PPP policies. (Jang)
4. Mir Hasan Jamali, nephew of former PM Zafarullah Jamali, has joined PPPP. (Khabrain)
5. Social Media is flooded with criticism with the award of Masroor Nawaz Jhangvi, Punjab’s newly elected law maker. The award is instituted by National Peace Council. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yusuf gave away the award to Masroor. It is noteworthy that Masroor is the son of Chief of banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. (Daily Intekhab)
6. Mahmood Sham in his article, titled Zardari Parliament, says real work for the PPP leader is outside Parliament. Pakistan is a victim of anarchy. Let Zardari go through the Quetta commission report (about terror attack on the advocates in August). That report very clearly paints true picture of all the government departments. Nothing goes on as per rules and regulations anywhere in the country. No recruitments are done on merit. Sindh is bearing the cost of running the country and the people of Sindh continue to be in 18th century. People are upset with Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and even with the establishment. People have lost hopes from the judiciary. From Quaid –e-Azam Jinnah to Musharraf, they all were from Sindh. Even today, Sindh is guiding the country. Zardari should muster little more courage. It will be Sindh alone that will give enlightened, economically strong and stable Pakistan in 21st century. (Ibrat)
7. Allah Bux Rathod in his article, titled ‘Why PPP is soft towards PML -N?’ writes: Zardari once again superseded his son Bilawal when he announced at the Benazir death anniversary meeting that PML (N) government would be allowed to complete its term. Zardari said if Nawaz Sharif is to be defeated, he has to be defeated politically. If one reads Zardari’s mind-set correctly, his aforesaid statements mean he does not want to face the risk of facing a terror attack if he hits the road against the government. Another interpretation could be that Zardari does not want to take risk of being exposed if turnout in the street protests is not impressive enough. This would also keep the establishment guessing about PPP’s political strength and clout. Zardari’s main strategy is to make Bilawal politically savvy, and learn the art of give and take in politics. The only party that looks upset with Zardari -Bilawal plans to enter Parliament is PTI. Perhaps, Imran hoped that he and Zardari could close ranks against Nawaz Sharif. What has happened is just the opposite. Most of those in PTI hierarchy today are originally from PPP. Their main area of interest is Punjab because it is Punjab that has maximum seats in Parliament. Most of PPP pockets in Punjab have already fallen to PTI. Some strong pockets for PPP’s old guards in Punjab have patched up with the establishment so that they can look up to the establishment for help in times of need. PPP will stand to gain from Zardari and Bilawal entering parliament through by-polls. This will calm down Bilawal’s exuberance. Zardari’s announcements give the message that Bilawal is still not politically mature. At Bilawal’s age, both Zulfikar and Benazir had settled politically. It cannot be ruled out that even today some rogue elements in the establishment, given a chance, would not hesitate to finish or weaken PPP. If Benazir could be eliminated, despite the guarantee from global forces, anything can happen to PPP leaders. S=PPP is now surviving with Zardari’s carrot and stick policy He is seen as trouble shooter in Pakistan politics. He has good equations with other parties. With regards to ties with the US, they have not improved much. This has harmed the establishment’s interests. Nawaz Sharif government having no full-fledged Foreign Minister is adding to the deterioration of US-Pak ties. Zardari seems to have indicated to the US government that he can serve US’ interests better. People of Pakistan have long ago shut themselves towards any political leanings. No party in Pakistan is ready to be peoples’ voice. (Sindh Express)
8. Imtiaz Alam in his article, ‘Return of Zardari, Bilawal and imminent polls’ writes: Those who had hopes of PPP getting into dissenting mode are now disappointed. Nawaz Sharif is no longer in the midst of a crisis. He in fact looks much stronger than ever. Recent civic polls in Punjab have gone to Nawaz Sharif way. He will keep dominating Parliament, no matter protests from any parties. He will keep pacifying small provinces by getting them some projects in CPEC, like he did to Sindh with three projects. If Nawaz Sharif succeeds in getting rid of long power cuts around second quarter of 2018, then Imran and Zardari will have no option but to go for an alliance against Nawaz Sharif. Or else Imran has big defeat staring at him in 2018 polls. Imran might prefer defeat at polls instead of helping Zardari form a coalition government. Not much is clear as to what games the father-son duo is up when they enter Parliament through the by-poll route. Bilawal is being brought in with task of creating a mood to see Zardari as next PM. Even as Zardari’s bigger game plan seems aimed at forming an alliance so that he can become PM after the 2018 elections. (Awami Awaz)
POK/G-B NEWS
1. Planning is under way for rail link between Gilgit-Baltistan and Xinjiang in China, Federal Railway Minister Saad Rafique said. (Daily K2)