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. A report was aired on China’s government TV that has created chaos in India. If there is to be war between India and China, then Chinese Army will reach Delhi within just 48 hours. The video emerged on the social media after the rant of new Indian Army Chief. According to an expert, this is the first time when China has named any country in such statement. (Ummat)

2. Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman said that relations between Sino-Pak Armies are helpful in the regional peace and harmony. He added that China will continue to make ‘Peoples Liberation Army’ more sophisticated in order to play a role in international peace along with Pakistan’s army. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

3. 800 additional personnel will be recruited in the unit set up under Rapid Response Force for security of Chinese citizens working on various development projects in Pakistan. (Roznama Dunya)

AFGHANISTAN/SAUDI ARABIA
1. Afghanistan has alleged that the latest bomb attack on its soil was mounted from Pakistan. The allegation is rejected outright. Due to operation n Zarb-e-Azb terrorists hideouts have been rooted out from Pakistan. And terrorists have shifted to Afghanistan. International community is aware that the Kabul government’s writ runs only in Kabul and not beyond. Therefore, not only Taliban but Daesh has also got opportunity of finding shelter in Afghanistan. Whenever Afghanistan wants to enhance cooperation with Pakistan, India sponsors terrorist’s and carries out miscreant activities in Afghanistan. The Afghan government instead of becoming instrument of foreign powers, should support Pakistan in the war against terrorists since the stability in Afghanistan and development in Pakistan are mutually dependent. (Khabrain Edit)

2. Despite Pakistani Army Chief clarifying to the US’ Central Command Chief and to Afghan President that Pakistan wants to cooperate with Afghanistan in eradicating terrorism and will not allow its land to be used against any country, Afghan President has alleged Pakistan’s hand in attacks in Afghanistan. Experts talking to Dunya Forum asserted that until India’s interference ends in Afghanistan, relations between Pak-Afghan will not improve. When Daesh, India, TTP are present in Afghanistan, why Afghanistan is blaming Pakistan for attacks. (Roznama Dunya Edit)

3. Afghan Intelligence agency NDS has alleged that the conspiracy of attack on Kandahar was hatched in Quetta in Maulvi Ahmed’s madrasa, according to Khaama Press, (Roznama Dunya)

INDIA
1. There is no need to say anything about madness of Indian extremist forces or extremist Hindus but there is need to lament over insensitivity of the world community. On Monday, the occupied Indian forces killed three Kashmiri youths and as part of its routine the funeral was also targeted. It was brutal violation of human rights by the Indian Army and the government. (Jasarat Edit)

2. Welcome indeed is the resolution adopted by the Senate against PM Modi for blaming Pakistan for terrorism and for terming Kashmir and Palestine as similar. The resolution clearly stated that the Pakistani Community is united on the Kashmir issue and without resolving the Kashmir issue, terrorism cannot be stopped. India will have to understand this and act accordingly. India should be taught a lesson if it is not ready to stop its water aggression against Pakistan. From the time Modi has come to power, he has adopted policies that have heightened danger of conventional as well as nuclear war. He has resorted to massacre of Kashmiris to curb freedom movement and is continuously violating LoC. Present Indian government is not only carrying out aggression against Kashmiri Muslims, but is also conspiring with Israel to deprive Palestinians of their rights. Outgoing US Vice President Joe Biden had spoken about the possibility of use of nuclear weapons in South Asia. India will do well to settle all issues with Pakistan through peaceful dialogue. (Jang Edit, Daily Pak Edit, Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

3. APHC chief Syed Ali Geelani has asked Pakistan to remove Maulana Fazl-ur Rahman as the Kashmir Committee Chief and bring someone who is well versed with Hindu mentality. He said that the Kashmir Committee leadership and most of its members do not understand the Kashmir cause and it shows how much Pakistan is committed to the Kashmir dispute. Geelani called PM Modi a fascist Hindu and criticized the US for criminal negligence of Kashmir issue. He added that PM Sharif did a good job on external front for the Kashmir cause but internally his position is weak as he is facing corruption charges. (Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt, Khabrain, Roznama Dunya, Ausaf)

INDIA-WATER
1. Senate Committee has unanimously passed a resolution asking the World Bank to live up to its responsibility on the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). The resolution said either of the two parties, India or Pakistan cannot be stopped from approaching the appropriate forum for the resolution of the dispute. But the Word Bank has stopped Pakistan to approach any appropriate forum till end of January. Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said that the decision on Baglihar dam was against Pakistan. If construction of Neelam-Jhelum had been started earlier, the construction on Kishanganga could have been stopped. Pakistan does not want to deviate from IWT. World Bank has accepted our stand to find some way out. Pakistan is insisting that the Kishanganga dam’s design should be as per IWT terms. Indian PM is fooling his people by making mention of eastern rivers. They are already under Indian control. Pakistan has abundant water. If we set our internal conditions in order, we might never have to worry over IWT. We might not even need this treaty. Much of Pakistan’s waters go waste. Pakistan consumes only 73 per cent of water and rest goes waste into sea. Senator Ahsan Laghari said Pakistan will have to set up one more national action plan for water. On this occasion, Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan has called for the appointment of a neutral observer to resolve the dispute but India did not accept the suggestion. Pakistan should not compromise or reconcile on whatever is rightful of Pakistan vis-a- vis IWT. He said that there should be a treaty with Afghanistan too on Kabul and Swat rivers. Saud Majeed said that IWT was signed during a dictator’s time and Pakistan suffered losses on account of this treaty. There is severe water shortage in lower Punjab and Sindh. Therefore, some way out should be found to review IWT. To this, Sartaj Aziz responded that let there be no talk about reviewing the IWT because this is what India wants. Saud Majeed was of the opinion that if Kalabaug dam is built then it will solve water shortage issue throughout the year. Mir Kuber, another senator said that Pakistan should build dams immediately to tide over water shortage. (Sindh Express)

ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. Brig. Imran Mushtaq has been made head of Joint Intelligence Directorate. The PM’s Office made the appointment on the recommendation of the Army. (Roznama Dunya)

APPOINTMENTS
1. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry has been appointed Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US. Tehmina Janjua, Abdul Basit and Syed Ibne Abbas figure in the proposal for the post of Foreign Secretary, sent to the Prime Minister. They include. (Daily Intekhab)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Interior Ministry has informed sensitive agencies about the threat of TTP attacking schools, community centres, buses and churches in Peshawar and other parts of the country. It is said that a women suicide bomber along with 10 terrorists is present in a madrasa. (Roznama Dunya)

2. Former Home Minister and PPP leader Rahman Malik said PPP government didn’t give registration to Difa-e-Pakistan Council nor did they support it. DPC came into existence to oppose NATA. Punjab has been centre of activities of defunct Sipah-e-Sahaba which can be explained only by the Punjab government. (Jasarat)

3. Four very dangerous terrorists were killed in a joint operation by CTD and sensitive agencies but two terrorists managed to flee. (Roznama Dunya, Urdupoint)

SINDH
1. Sindh government has lodged a protest with the Federal government on outsiders being given jobs instead of Sindhis in oil and gas companies based in Sindh. (Kawish)

2. Former Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul Ibad said Zardari has invited him to join PPP but he has not yet taken a decision. He was speaking to a delegation in Dubai. (Sindh Express)

3. Jiye Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (Areesar faction) has announced agitation against Ghorani Dam coming up at Thar. Party leaders said that they reject Sindh government’s and Engro company’s stand on the dam. First phase of the agitation will see protests on January 21 at Mathi, on January 27 in Hyderabad and on January 29 in Karachi. They also demanded that outsiders and foreigners should not be included as part of Sindh population in the census. (Sindh Express)

4. Jiye Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (Bashir Khan Faction) has reaffirmed its commitment to G. M. Syed’s ideology on the occasion of his 113th birth anniversary celebrations held at Sunn (birth place of G M Syed in Sindh). Sanna Quereshi, its Chief, said they committed to resolve Sindh’s problems in the democratic way as laid out by G M Syed. Sindhis are being caught in one or the other problem but Sindhis will not tolerate injustice anymore. He said that his father Bashir Khan and his uncle Maqsood were murdered. Yet, no FIR was lodged. Programs like freedom march started by Bashir Quereshi should continue under the party’s flag. (Sindh Express)
5. Sindh nationalist party ‘Jiye Sindh Quam Parast’ organised a function in commemoration of G M Syed’s 113th birthday. Qamar Bhati, Chief of this party said that G M Syed created awareness on 5000 –year- old Sindhi civilisation through his books. He said that his organisation will start agitations from January 30 on six points related to Sindh’s agenda. (Sindh Express)

6. Sind CM said he has good working relationship with new DG Rangers. On raids at Anwar Majeed, close aide of Zardari, he said that he was not aware about it. The matter is now in the court. It is for court to take decisions. He also said that PPP stands to benefit from divisions cropping up within MQM. We have to give alternative to the people of Karachi people. PPP will emerge as big force in Karachi. (Sindh Express)

7. Naseer Memon, in his article, says: the Sindhis need to be serious on issue of census. Keeping aside all the other things, every Sindhis in Sindh should work on the campaign of ‘Save Sindh, Get Enumerated’. (Kawish)

8. Senior analyst, Najam Sethi, said that Rangers cannot be given powers for unlimited period in Sindh. He was taking part in a TV program. (Jang)

9. Sindh has been taking care of outsiders and foreigners staying illegally since the formation of the country. This has resulted in Sindhis losing their own identity. This will not be tolerated any longer. NADRA should be asked as to how and under which laws, foreigners including Afghans were issued identity cards. Sindh’s civil society is apprehensive with regards to the population survey scheduled for March. It is the responsibility of Sindh and the Federal government to address these apprehensions. Hopefully, Sindh government will take up the census issue with the Federal government effectively. It should protect Sindh’s interests. First phase of the population survey is to be done at Karachi, Hyderabad and Ghotki districts. Outsiders from other provinces and foreigners are present in large numbers in these districts. Therefore, Sindh government needs to keep strict watch on the first phase of the census in March. Awareness needs to be created from top to bottom that Sindhis at these places get themselves enumerated. In the language column, they should only fill ‘Sindhi’ as their language. If the people and the government of Sindh are not vigilant, then it will have a negative impact on Sindh. NADRA should be approached to expedite process of preparation of remaining identity cards for Sindh people. If remaining identity cards are not ready in time and those who are staying illegally are also enumerated and shown as part of Sindh population in the new census, such a census report will have negative fallout. (Ibrat Edit, Awami Awaz Edit, Sindh Express Edit)

BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri has instructed Department of Planning and Development and all other concerned departments to complete preliminary procedures of all the new and old projects proposed under CPEC. This is to ensure their early implementation early in coordination with the Chinese government. He said that inclusion of new 12 important projects in CPEC is an important development. It reflects the importance of Gwadar and Balochistan under CPEC. (Daily Intekhab)

POLITICAL SCENE
1. Jamaat-e-Islami and JUI are among 20 religious groups and parties that have rejected plans for amendments in the blasphemy laws. These amendments were proposed by the Senate Committee on human rights. After a joint meeting in Lahore yesterday, the religious parties said the proposed amendment is a part of Jewish conspiracy which is aimed at taking away very spirit of blasphemy laws. (Kawish)

2. Lahore High Court Bar Association said that they will not allow government to re-formulate military courts. If military courts are extension, lawyers will hit the streets in protest. (Jasarat)

3. Leading barrister, S M Jafar, opines that it is wrong on the part of PPP senior Asif Ali Zardari to seek re-election to Parliament. As President, Zardari enjoyed immunity from corruption charges against him. But when he enters parliament, all his old corruption cases can re-open. Surrey Palace issue (in UK) can be reopened. The old charge of Mr 10 percent can come back to haunt him along with the Swiss bank accounts case. Moreover, if both Bilawal and Zardari are in the House, it will take a toll on Bilawal’s political growth. (Awami Awaz)

4. Bilawal will be leading PPP rally tomorrow from Lahore to Faisalabad. As part of the preparations, PPP is taking a rally in Lahore today. This rally will be addressed by Lahore PPP leaders. (Sindh Express)

5. Ghulam Nabi Yousafzai reports: A five judge bench hearing Panama case has observed that PM has no immunity as applicable and enjoyed by President and Governors. This observation came when the PM’s advocate told the court that his client has safety valve against any action on basis Article 66. PM has not said anything wrong in his speech in parliament. PM is seeking immunity as available under Article 66. If PM’s statements are seen in light of Article 66, then there is nothing conflicting in his statements. Reading out constitutional para’s on immunity available to the PM, he said that ‘despite availability of immunity, we will not seek it under Article 248’. He also said that petitions against PM are also in conflict of each other. One petition is for disqualifying PM while another is seeking to refer matter to FBR. If the matter is sought to be referred to FBR, then the petition for disqualification is rendered ineffective. (Sindh Express)

6. Munir Ahmed Baloch, in his column, writes: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is trying to mislead public that Gwadar Deep Sea project was initiated by PML-N government and that the past governments did nothing to address water and energy issues. Mangla Rising project was initiated by Gen. Musharraf, to replace World’s 7th mega Hydro Electric project which was started by Gen Ayub Khan and had developed silting problem. Gomal Zam Dam was built by Gen. Musharraf in 2001. Golen Gol Hydro Power project was founded by the PPP government in 2011. Musharraf government completed the feasibility of Diamer Bhasha dam project in 2009. Even Neelam Jhelum Hydro Power Project was initiated during Musharraf period in 2008. Karachi’s Lyari Expressway and Karachi Northern bypass was built by the Musharraf government. Musharraf built Gwadar-Khuzdar-Ratodero project, Lawari Tunnel, Makran Coastal Highway from Lyari-Gwadar-GABD, Indus Highway, Hala-Moru roadway, Kohat tunnel, Islamabad-Peshawar motorway, Pindi-Bhattian- Faisalabad motorway, Lahore-Okara N-5, Lahore to Qasur, Ganda Singh Wala and Qasur Dipalpur roads etc. Mirani dam, Greater Thal canal, Kachhi canal, Reni canal are all from Musharraf’s era. Hence Nawaz Sharif should stop taking credit for such projects. (Roznama Dunya)

POK/G-B NEWS
1. Government should ensure construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam under the CPEC project. (Daily K2 Edit)

2. Gilgit-Baltistan Government has been avoiding municipality elections under various pretexts. First it said elections will be held in January 2017; then came the national census. No comes the rift between the Municipality Departments and Chief Election Commissioner Secretariat on the issue of rights. Government should not ignore this important issue. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)