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. South China Morning Post commented that the alliance of Pakistan, China and Russia on Afghan issue is a positive step and said that the alliance could replace the US as prominent power in Central Asia. (Roznama Dunya)

2. Gilgit-Baltistan Education Minister Ibrahim Sanai said that some elements are taking money from RAW under the guise of right to property for sabotaging CPEC. He lambasted PPP President Amjad Khan for creating problems for the government by provoking nationality sentiments and said that he working on the agenda of Indian Prime Minister Modi. (Daily K2)

US/UK/RUSSIA
1. US has announced construction of tactical security operations centres in Pakistan. This is unacceptable. Pakistan’s priority is protecting its geographical and ideological boundaries, and its national interest. Abbottabad operation, and U.S., drones and attacks were an open aggression of the US. Pakistan government should summon the US envoy and make him aware of Pakistan communities concerns. Pakistan’s civil and military leadership should not compromise on national security matters. (Ausaf Edit)

GULF- SAUDI/RAHEEL
1. Aalmi Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Harmain Sharifain Pakistan (International Movement for Protection of the Sacred Mosques Pakistan) Chief Allama Zubair Ahmad Zaheer said that those doing wrong propaganda against former Pakistan Army COAS General Raheel Sharif are speaking from the mouths of India and Israel. He added that Raheel Sharif’s designation as the Chief of 39 Nation’s United Islamic Army is an honour for Pakistan. (Baad-e-Shimal, Nawa-i-Waqt)

2. India and Iran are worried that former Pak Army Chief COAS Gen Raheel Sharif has been appointed as Chief of Islamic Alliance Army. Both the countries have activated propaganda against Islamic Army in the name of sectarianism. The US is also unhappy as it thinks that influence of Pak Army will increase in Arab countries which could have negative effects on sale of American weapons. India is of the view that Raheel led Alliance Army could make the position of Pakistan stronger in the region. (Ummat)

3. A prominent politician Sardar Nabil Gabol, who is also a former federal minister, said that Nawaz Sharif had told Saudi King of providing the services of Gen Raheel Sharif to the Islamic alliance almost a year ago. (Khabrain)

4. PM’s special adviser Dr. Musadik Malik said that it is former Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif’s personal decision to become head of 39 nation military alliance. Taking part in a GEO TV program, he said the government had neither any role in nor any concern over the appointment. But PTI leader, Nafisa Shah said that the government should clarify whether it has given a No Objection certificate, NOC, to Gen. Raheel Sharif to take up the Saudi post. If it had given NoC, then the Government is involved and it cannot be said that it was Gen. Raheel’s personal decision. (Jang, Roznama Dunya, Khabrain)

6. Waseehat Ullah Khan, in his article, asks: why hue and cry is being raised over former Army Chief Raheel Sharif taking up the job of leading Saudi-led Islamic countries’ Army Alliance? There are many jobs for retired Army Chiefs and Army Generals of Pakistan. Some become consultants to builders, some become advisors and others take up one or the other job with some semi government companies. Some start their own security companies. Some become traders for arms manufacturing company. Some make money giving lectures within or outside Pakistan. Those who do not get anything to do after retirement, appear on TV channels as experts on regional and global issues every night from 8 to 12. So much so, there is nothing wrong if former Army Chief Raheel Sharif gets and accepts a comfortable and indeed powerful post of leading Islamic Army Alliance. (Awami Awaz)

7. PTI leader Asad Omer has criticized former Army Chief Gen. Raheel Sharif on accepting the command of Islamic alliance. Defence minister Khawaja Asif has however welcomed Muslim alliance under leadership of Saudi Arab and said that entire Muslim community should participate in the Muslim alliance considering the destruction of Muslim community from Burma to Palestine. (Ausaf, Khabrain)

8. Federal government has issued special license to Dubai prince for hunting of banned Houbara bustard birds in Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab. (Jang, Roznama Dunya)

INDIA
1. The Indian fact finding committee that visited Kashmir under the leadership of former foreign minister Yashwant Sinha has urged dialogues with Hurriyat Conference. In other words it is admitted that Hurriyat Conference is true voice of the oppressed Kashmiris. The Kashmir issue is the main point of conflict between India and Pakistan. Hence new US President along with other international leaders should respect human rights of Kashmiris and pave the way to settle the Kashmir issue as per the UN resolutions through talks. (Jang Edit)

2. The 5-member Yashwant Sinha committee on Kashmir has warned the Indian Government to be prepared for something big and disastrous during this summer in Kashmir. It is said that there is chaos everywhere and people living under stress and scare could turn into a revolt. India will have to accept Kashmir as a disputed area and should find out a political solution Fear of death has gone from the hearts of Kashmiri youths due to excessive use of force by the Indian security forces to quell the protests in Kashmir. Kashmiris want India to consider Kashmir a political dispute. (Ummat, Daily Pak Edit)

3. The new UN Secretary General has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on water dispute. Indian PM has threated to stop river waters to Pakistan. India has tried to declare Pakistan a terrorist nation but it had to face failure at the UN. International community should take notice of Indian atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir for the past six decades. Resolution of outstanding issues between India and Pakistan like Sir Creek, water and so on through talks is desirable. UN offer of handling and resolving issues between India and Pakistan is a test case of the UN. (Khabrain Edit)

4. When Pak’s permanent representative Maleeha Lodhi presented a dossier to the UN on Indian cruelty in Jammu and Kashmir, India’s threat of stopping water of rivers flowing to Pakistan, violation of the LoC and so on, the UN Secretary General expressed the wish of mediation between India and Pak. Now it depends on the UN SG’s efforts as to how he makes India accept his offer. (Ausaf Edit)

5. Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat ran away from Kashmir mid-way through his tour due to excessive snow fall. (Jasarat)

6. The UN and the US have become active again at the diplomatic level to restore dialogue between India and Pakistan on all issue including Kashmir. Pakistan had informed international community of the aggression by India in Jammu and Kashmir, firing at the LoC, RAW’s interference in Pakistan and violation of Indus Water Treaty. (Urdupoint)

6. The Chief of Dal Khalsa (UK) Sardar Manmohan Singh in an interview to Pakistani magazine said that very soon India will disintegrate like a pack of straws. It is not only Sikhs and Kashmiris who are fighting for freedom but even Assam and Himachal also. They are also fighting for freedom. Tamil freedom movement is also underway. He added that Hindus caused major damage to Buddhists and burnt their worship places. In 2007, RSS hooligans burnt 95 churches; leading the BJP hooligans LK Advani himself razed the Babri masjid. He said that we pray that Modi remains in power for the next 5 years, so that all the communities get freedom. He complained that Pakistan government is not supporting Sikhs in the way it is supporting Afghans and Kashmiris. He said that they only needed moral support. Pakistani media does not give coverage to Sikh community as it gives to Kashmiris. Prime Minister Modi had openly talked of supporting Balochs, whereas Pakistan never talked of supporting Sikhs. (Roznama Dunya)

7. Member of British Parliament, Lord Nazir in a TV interview said that Gen Musharraf had talked of out of the box formula for Kashmir at the behest of the US think tanks. He added that a RAW functionary told him that India supports MQM in Karachi as Pakistan supports Kashmiris. (Roznama Dunya)

8. JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed said that Pakistan will have to adopt strong stance on the Kashmir issue. 101 different freedom movements are under way in India. Freedom of Kashmir will be the beginning of the devastation of India. India has failed in its every effort to quell the freedom movement in Kashmir. Speaking at a public gathering in Bhakkar, Saeed said that fail CPEC, the US is making India stronger in Afghanistan. CPEC is going to be a mightier project of the Islamic world. The Jewish & Christian lobby is conspiring to break Pakistan because it is the only Islamic atomic power. He added that ISIS is a puppet of the US working against Muslims. (Jasarat, Nawa-i-Waqt)

AFGHANISTAN
1. As per Afghan media, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the fact US is appointing 300 marines in Helmand provinces indicates defeat of Afghan and the US forces. (Roznama Dunya)

2. Afghan Taliban has made preparations to get control of Helmand province in the winter. Thousands of fighters have been trained for the mission. Two thousand expert fighters have been summoned for duty by the Taliban whereas the US will send some 300 troops to protect Helmand. Taliban commander has asked the US forces to fight face -to -face. (Ummat)

3. Afghan forces have claimed killing two important Pakistani leaders of Haqqani Network in an operation in Nangarhar province. (Roznama Dunya)

4. 10 militants were killed in a fight between two Taliban factions in the Afghanistan province Farah. (Roznama Dunya)

ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. The curtains have come down on military courts. There is no need of military judicial system when there is a full-fledged civil judicial system in place. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

2. A Levis person was killed by unknown assailants in Quetta. According to sources, unknown persons fired on and killed personal assistant of Levis Director Operations Shah Nawaz and escaped in Kali Deba area. In Mushke, security forces recovered a motor cycle laden with ammunition in a search operation. Two members of a banned organization were also arrested. (Daily Intekhab)

3. Ghazi Foundation has decided to prepare songs in support of defence of Pakistan and glorification of martyrs of Army and Ghazi’s. (Ummat)

4. Pakistan Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the performance of the military courts was not satisfactory. ISPR has, however, refuted the claim stating that all the cases were handled within the ambit of the law. (Daily Pak)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. There is nothing disturbing in the kidnapping of social activist Salman Haider. Kidnappings have been happening for a long time in the country. He was kidnapped from Islamabad’s Bani Gala area. Kidnapping of a person like Salman Haider, who wrote best poetry saying ‘I am kafir, you too are kafir’ (kafir – one who does not believe in God; often used for non-Muslims, particularly Hindus) speaks for the fact that either law keeping machinery is not able to protect him or the kidnapping industry is more powerful. They can take away any one they want to abduct. Pakistan’s constitution gives total freedom of expression. Anyone can raise voice against oppression. If Professor Salman Haider raised voice against oppression, there is nothing wrong about it. Salman Haider is a well-educated and active person. Kidnapping him speaks for the fact that life is becoming tougher for people like him. This kidnapping is attack on the mind-set, which is inspiration for other oppressed and exploited sections of the society. (Sindh Express Edit)

2. CTD has arrested a terrorist belonging to TTP along with explosive material and ball bearings from GT Road. He was allegedly planning attacks on buildings of sensitive department. (Roznama Dunya)

3. Security forces have foiled terrorist conspiracy by recovering weapons, including 11 rocket launchers, in a search operation in Mamond district. (Jang)

ECONOMY/POWER/WATER
1. The new ordinance on NAB law against plea bargain says that any corrupt official can now be disqualified for life as part of penalty. The government has said that this ordinance is being passed because it will otherwise take time to get these amendments passed by Parliament. Corruption cannot be abolished as long as there is discrimination in the accountability cases. (Ibrat Edit)

2. This new amendment in NAB laws can be a step towards bringing an end to corruption in the country. (Awami Awaz Edit)

3. Amendment to NAB law against Plea Bargain to control corruption is lauded. (Jang Edit, Roznama Dunya Edit)

4. Tax experts have said that the government has sanctioned amnesty scheme to legalise off-shore companies. The government has already started to work on the package. These companies will now be able to transform their black income to white by paying fines ranging from 7 to 10 %. If they bring their illegal money into Pakistan within three months, they will have to pay a fine of 7 per cent. If they choose to keep their ill-gotten money in foreign countries, they will have to declare the black money and pay a fine of 10 per cent. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had hinted at the scheme on 15th December. This is the easiest way to legalise an off-shore company into an on-shore company. It is also seen as an easy way to bring black money back into Pakistan. (Jinnah)

5. Electricity companies have warned that they would stop working after circular debts crosses Rupees 660 billion mark. Ministry of Electricity and Water has requested PM Sharif to intervene and convince the electricity companies to continue uninterrupted supplies after they threatened to stop supply to the oil companies as well. (Daily Pak)

6. Fake currency network was busted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwah. Accused has confessed that Indian and Iranian networks are spreading fake currency to affect Pakistan economically. (Ummat)

SINDH
1. Controversial police officer Rau Anwar has taken charge as SSP-Maleer (interior Karachi). He immediately started putting his favourite police officers in-charge of six SHOs, and 3 chowkies. He was recently removed following the arrest of a MQM leader. He is now back. He is known for his closeness to Zardari. (Sindh Express)

2. Naseer Memon in his article, ‘Need to come out of big dreams of Sindh becoming Paris or Malaysia’, writes: Sindh has been producing more than 70 per cent of gas and oil of the country’s total production. There are about a dozen gas and oil fields in Sindh. Despite all this, Sindh’s cities and rural parts get negligible in return. There are a handful Sindhis on board in head offices of the gas and oil producing companies. Roads in gas-oil producing districts like Badin, Dadu, Sehwan, Khairpur, Sanghar, Qambar, Shahdadkot, Kashmor, and Ghotki are in pathetic state. Sindh’s interior areas faces 75 per cent of this multi-dimensional poverty. Nutrition deficiency among mothers and their little children is high in Sindh when compared to other three provinces. This should be enough to send message that growth does not mean only building modern cities or extraction of natural resources. (Kawish)

3. Sindh produces maximum gas and oil in the country. Especially every nook and corner of Sanghar district in Sindh has gas and oil deposits. Look at the conditions of the roads at Sanghar. Conditions in the government hospitals and schools here is pathetic. If royalty amounts received in lieu of these oil and gas deposits are used for its betterment, Sanghar can become Paris. (Sindh Express)

4. Several people from MQM, Pak Sarzameen Party, Majlis E Wahdat Ul Muslimeen, ANP and some other parties have joined PPP. Party senator Syed Ghani said that PPP will be major winner in Karachi in 2018 polls. Without naming MQM, he said that time for those who used to do bloodshed politics is over now. (Sindh Express)

BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. Pak Army Chief said Balochistan has been unfortunately neglected during the past. Addressing a seminar at Khuzdar’s Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology, he said a new era of prosperity will begin. (Jang)

2. Pakhtunkhwah police, jail department and sensitive agencies have warned of a terrorist attack on jails or a jail break with the intention to release dangerous prisoners. It is also possible that these dangerous prisoners could take jail staff as hostage. In addition, suicide attack cannot be ruled out. (Ummat, Jang, Roznama Dunya)

POLITICAL SCENE
1. JUI (F) has announced its candidates against Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal in the bye elections to the National Assembly from the Sindh. Rashid Mahmood Soomro, JUI (F) Sindh unit Secretary General will contest against Bilawal from Larkana while. Amir Abdul Qayyum Halejo will take on Zardari from Nawabshah seat. (Sindh Express)

2. Assad Omar, PTI leader and law maker said his party will field Gul Mahmood Rind against Zardari in the bye election. He warned Zardari that if he does not declare his assets, he will have to retire not only from the bye elections but also from politics itself. (Sindh Express)

3.Pakistan Hindu Council head Dr. Ramesh Kumar, who is also a PML-N leader, has appealed to PPP supremo Zardari to hold an all-party meeting to save the Sindh bill on protection of Hindu’s interests. Return of this bill by governor has not only added to non-Muslims’ sense of lack of safety but has also raised many question marks over parliamentary system in Pakistan at global level. This bill in favour of Hindus’ interests is not at all controversial. Bill is only trying to ensure respect for all the religions by seeking to block all routes for fundamentalist elements for conversion in the name of religion. (Sindh Express)

POK/G-B NEWS
1. Load shedding has become endemic in Skardu due to faulty machinery. Government should take steps to solve this problem once and for all. (Daily K2 Edit, Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

2. AJK PM Raja Farooq Haider order reduction in load shedding period. Hence forth load shedding will be for six hours daily in AJK. (Daily Dharti)

3. AJK President refused to sign Al-Khair University degrees, holding the university’s educational system as unsatisfactory. (Jang)