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.

ARMY CHIEF- RAHEEL POSTERS
1. After posters by an organisation called Move In, appeared in support of the Army Chief, it is the turn off social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to carry the “Welcome Raheel Sharif” campaign. Those posting their comments said people are in favour of dictatorship. The Army spokesman’s office said it has nothing to do with the campaign. Analyst Nazir Naji also rejected speculation of the Army’s hand but another commentator Munir Ahmed Baloch hinted at government’s hand in the exercise. (Roznama Dunya, Awami Awaz)
2. PML-N leader and Punjab Minister Rana Sanaullah says the charge that his party is behind “Welcome Rahil Sharif posters” is made by just one PPP leader, Aitzaz Ahsan. It is significant that the entire opposition has not levelled the charge. He also questioned Aitzaz Ahsan’s credibility saying that on the one hand the noted lawyer levels corruption charges against Nawaz Sharif but on the other hand rallies in support of Asif Ali Zardari who is embroiled in corruption. (Kawish)
3. Abdul Majeed Pathan, Chief of the Move In party, has demanded extension of Army Chief’s term. The nation is in a state of war and needs the current COAS. His party has plastered Pakistan with posters seeking extension to Gen Raheel Sharif. He denied having demanded imposition of Martial law. “Our posters did not demand martial law. We only sought an extension to the Army Chief”. (Kawish)
4. Commentator, Javed Hashmi, says there is nothing to fear from the posters that favour Army take over. Those who want to take over, take over anyhow. However, he calls for an inquiry into who were pasted the posters saying it is a dangerous development. He does not think that the current Army Chief has a temperament to topple the government. (Ibrat)
5. Moula Bux Chandio has voiced concern over recent spate of posters that have urged the Army Chief to take over and impose the Martial law. “Let those sitting in Islamabad muster courage to unearth the elements behind these posters”. (Awami Awaz)
6. Federal minister, Abdul Qadir Baloch, said the government will have to look into the posters issue and consult experts on how to teach culprits a lesson. The statement from the Army spokesman’s office clearly shows GHQ has nothing to do with these posters. Those who have put up these posters have violated Articles 62 and 63. The Army Chief’s tenure, however, can be extended under a pressure from the world community. (Ibrat)
7. Zarar Pirzada writes: there are several theories as to who can be behind the pro-Raheel posters. The PPP leaders speculate that government itself is behind these posters in order to frighten the opposition against destabilising the Nawaz Sharif government. This can be a political strategy. It cannot be claimed that there is some ideal government ruling Pakistan now and there is no threat of a military take-over. The civilian and non-civilian systems have been confronting each other from day one. Even during the times when there are elected governments, it is the establishment that rules from behind the curtain. Pakistan has never had a peoples’ government in its true sense. Though votes are taken in the name of democracy, once elected, the government is run, not as per the civilian government policies, but as per the policies of the establishment. Political parties just want power and if there is no true democracy or peoples’ government in Pakistan, the blame rests with both the political parties and the establishment. If there are operations in Waziristan or peace in Karachi, that too is because of the Army. Instead of inviting the COAS to take-over, let Army’s policies be carried forward. Those who are inviting Army rule and Martial law are the enemies of the nation. Since the majority prefers an army rule, deductive logic will say that the majority in country are against the people and very interests of the country. (Awami Awaz)
8. While the Army has rejected its hand behind the banners that have come across Pakistan hailing General Raheel Sharif, the Opposition sees government’s involvement in the episode. Both the government and the Army can put the culprits behind bars if they want to. The electronic media is busy discussing the banner issue and is ignoring the chaotic situation in Kashmir. (Jasarat Edit)
AFGHANISTAN
1. Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, the Chief of the Ulema Shura Afghanistan, has quit the Daesh, which he had joined some time ago. He announced that America, India and other countries are secretly helping the Daesh in Afghanistan. Rahim also alleged that the Daesh Afghan Chief Hafiz Saeed Khans has connections with secret organizations of the regional countries. (Ummat)
INDIA
1. Sensitive agencies have started an investigation into Punjab police officials’ visits to India for medical treatment. Awami Tehreek leader, Tahir-ul-Qadri, highlighted the issue. Punjab government’s supplementary budget for 2015-16 has allocated money for police personnel’s treatment in India. (Jasarat)
INDIA – KASHMIR
1. Foreign Secretary Ejaz Chaudhary has urged the European nations and OIC group to intervene in Kashmir and called for transparent probe into recent killings in Srinagar. He briefed the Ambassadors of European countries and OIC coordination group on “the Indian barbarism” in Occupied Kashmir. (Daily Intekhab)
2. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held consultations with the Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Shareef and the coalition partner Maulana Fazal-ur- Rehman on the situation in Occupied Kashmir. Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said they wish to assure their Kashmiri brothers that the whole of Pakistan is standing by them. (Daily Intekhab)
3. JuD has held a Solidarity Kashmir Conference outside the Karachi Press Club. The local JuD Chief Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi led the funeral prayers in absentia for Kashmiri martyrs. (Ummat)
4. JI Chief Siraj-ul-Haq has said protests against current genocide in Kashmir would be staged all over Pakistan on 15th July. A march would be taken out on 31st July from Lahore to the Wagah border. Speaking at a Solidarity Kashmir Conference in Karachi, he criticised that the inconsistent policies on Kashmir by Pakistani leaders have damaged the Kashmir cause. The Kashmiris are fighting a war for the completion of Pakistan. PM Nawaz Sharif and COAS Gen Raheel Sharif should not remain mere spectators any longer since a decisive moment has arrived. JuD Karachi Chief Muzammil Hashmi and several JI leaders also spoke. A video message of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Syed Salahuddin was shown and songs were played about freedom struggle of Kashmiris. (Jasarat-Ummat)
5. The international community is worried about N-threat in South Asia but refuse to play a role to resolve the core K- issue between India and Pakistan. The K issue is not India’s internal affair. The Kashmir controversy may wipe away any peace expectation in the region. Pakistan has summoned home all its diplomats for a brainstorming session on foreign policy in the view of the current situation. (Roznama Dunya Edit, Jang Edit, Khabrain Edit)
6. The international community and the champions of human rights have not said a word against India on Kashmir scenario. Kashmiris’ have hope only with Pakistan and hence Pakistan should openly provide consular and moral support to the innocent Kashmiris and end fruitless relations with India. (Daily K2 Edit)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. Rangers have arrested one person, identified as Asad Kharal during searches carried out in Larkana. He is charged with helping criminals and other accused to evade the long arm of law. Some influential persons created obstacles in the interrogation of Asad and came in the way of the Rangers’ discharge of duties, Rangers spokesman said. (Awami Awaz)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. Awami National Party has held the demand for PM’s resignation as unconstitutional. Speaking at a joint meeting of opposition parties on Terms of Reference (ToR) for Panama Leaks probe, ANP leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour made it clear that his party would walk out if such a demand is pressed. “Politicians cannot make the demand even before investigations have begun”. (Daily Intekhab)
2. Noted commentator Hamid Mir says if a military dictatorship is imposed parties like PML-N, PPP, PTI, JuI, JI, ANP, NP, and BNP will oppose it but Tahir-ul-Qadri and Pakistan Sarzameen Party will support it. “I am not sure about the stand about the MQM”. (Jang)
3. Senior PPP leader and a leading barrister, Aitzaz Ahsan claimed that Nawaz Sharif Nawaz Sharif took Rs. 1 crore to tamper with the 1990 polls. Nawaz’s days as PM are numbered. He said 21st July will be a decisive day. (Awami Awaz)
4. The Panama papers issue may be a closed chapter in other countries but not in Pakistan. The situation has now reached a point of no return, for government and for the opposition as both seem adamant on their stands. At this juncture, when the country is in the midst of internal and external threats, any haste move on this issue will further weaken whatever feeble democracy that Pakistan enjoys. The longer this issue remains unresolved, the longer there will be threats to democracy in the country. Unless both, the government and the opposition, show some flexibility, people and the very system of the day will suffer the most. The onus lies on the government to listen to the Opposition’s demands or else it may pave way for a third force i.e. the establishment, to exploit the situation to its advantage. (Awami Awaz Edit)
SINDH
1. Special powers bestowed upon the Rangers in Karachi end today. The Interior Ministry is in favour of extending these special powers for two more years. (Various papers).