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.

AFGHANISTAN
1. A military convoy was attacked in Kabul; four people were killed and eleven others were injured. Unknown assailants attacked and killed five men belonging to Zaka Khel tribe in Khyber Pakhtunkhwah. The deceased are believed to be the members of the local peace committee. Often peace committee members are targeted by the terrorists. (Jasarat)
INDIA
1. India-Israel alliance is only against Pakistan and Islam. Both have been working on anti-Islam agenda for years and India’s aggression against Pakistan and Israel’s aggression against Palestine are no secret. Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz’s planned visit to India for the Heart of Asia conference is not appropriate move since India refused to attend the SAARC Conference in Islamabad. Meeting the Indian leaders would be considered as Pakistan’s submission to Indian aggression. It is extremely important that the government should not give any impression of Pakistan is afraid; there is no need to express any wish for peace with India. India will understand Pakistan’s power only after a stern action and will come down begging for peace. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)
2. Israel President’s visit to India is dangerous to Pakistan’s security. India-Israel cooperation in the defence sector is bringing Pakistan under pressure. India has no threat from any country and since beginning India did not accept the existence of Pakistan. With the aid of Israel experts, India is violating Indus Water Treaty and completed many controversial dams. Now India is taking advantage of the experiences of each other in water resource management and agriculture sectors. The growing influence of Israel in India is a threat to Pakistan’s security. Pakistan policymakers should be concerned about the India-Israel nexus. The US, Israel, India and other like-minded nations want to limit Pakistan’s nuclear program. Israel and India’s cooperation in technology, manufacturing and services that Israel should be monitored. (Ausaf Edit)
3. The current Indian aggression on the LoC is termed as unannounced war by analysts but the UN has not taken notice of Indian actions. For 70 years’ the international community is giving the same advice of resolving the issue with talks. If from beginning the international organisations had dealt India with an iron hand India would not have this much courage. The US is giving weapons to India and giving it priority for fulfilment of its goals in the region. The international community should be taken into confidence against the Indian aggression. Pakistan should be united for giving a courageous response to its rivals. (Khabrain Edit)
4. The CPEC project is moving ahead, with the first convoy having passed from Gwadar a few days ago. Turkish President is on a two day visit to Pakistan and today he will address the joint session of Parliament. These conditions clearly indicate that internally Pakistan is in an unenviable situation but yet globally it continues to be viewed with respect and importance. Especially amongst Muslim countries, Pakistan has place of its own. The question is how to exploit this in Pakistan’s favour. On the internal scenario, rulers have their responsibility; the opposition too has its responsibility. The conditions clearly indicate that political parties perhaps do not know how to move ahead together and send a positive message to the world at large. When political leaders make tall claims about democracy, they must also know, realise and practice all values of democracy which demand them to keep their differences and disputes aside and move together in larger interests of people of Pakistan. Turning to Indian aggression though Pakistan’s restraint will surely win it a lot of appreciation globally; Pakistan’s decision to attend the Heart of Asia meeting in Amritsar will only win Pakistan more appreciation. India kept exploring all excuses for not attending the SAARC summit in Pakistan. If Pakistan has still taken a decision to send its delegation to Heart of Asia meeting, it will only send out message to the world community that Pakistan wants peace. If India is still adamant and wants to add to tensions in region, it will have to face the consequences. The need of the hour in Pakistan is that all political parties make their every move very cautiously and refrain from bringing upfront in their personal egos. (Sindh Express Edit)
5. Difa-e-Pakistan Council and JUI-S chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, Jamat-e-Islami and other religious groups have condemned the Indian ban on Dr. Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). The ban is against the UN Charter. Naik was framed under fake charges brought out by extremist Hindus. Lawyers’ groups also registered their protest against Indian government’s decision to ban Zakir Naik and the IRF. (Daily Pak, Nawa-i-Waqt)
6. Central Bar Association of Muzaffarabad and Kotli has announced support to Ceasefire Line Crossing Call given by All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference. It also announced that it will act as the central-forward force. The All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference President and former Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said the determination to cross Ceasefire line is unshakable. The issue of Kashmir has reached a stage where it will be the question of today or never. (Daily Dharti)
7. There is a 300% rise in atrocities against women in India. This has become identity of the Indian culture at home and abroad. The Modi government has not taken any action against such acts. (Ummat)
ARMY/SECURITY FORCES
1. COAS General Raheel Sharif’s commitment to give new generations a safe and prosperous Pakistan deserves to be welcomed without reservations. Though terrorism has not been completely eradicated, there has been a marked reduction in terror hits. It is the responsibility of every Pakistani to stop terrorism by helping the law enforcement agencies. Afghanistan should also support Pakistan instead of becoming an Indian puppet. (Daily Pak Edit)
TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. Six volunteers of Aman Lashkar (a peace initiative group) were shot dead by militants at Khyber Agency. The victims were on their way from Tirah valley to Zaka Khel when they were fired at Sookh. All died on the spot. (Kawish)
ECONOMY/POWER/WATER
1. State Bank of Pakistan has said there is a 48 percent drop in FDI flows between July and October 2016. (Daily Pak)
SINDH/BALOCHISTAN/KP/PUNJAB
1. Meeting in Dubai, senior PPP leaders have decided to effect reshuffle in the Sindh cabinet, and induct new faces. Sindh CM met Zardari and Bilawal; other leaders present on the occasion included Fariyal Talpur. Sindh government’s performance also was discussed. Concern was expressed regarding the performance of some ministers. The meeting gave the go ahead to replace such ministers. Owais Shah Najmi Alam and others are now getting major responsibilities and might be made special co-ordinators for the Sindh Chief Minister. A final decision will be taken after Bilawal’s return from abroad. PPP leaders who have been abroad for various reasons will start returning from next month. (Sindh Express)
2. MQM Pakistan celebrated the release of Karachi mayor Waseem Akhtar by taking out a rally. Activists of MQM Pakistan and MQM London raised slogans against each other. Police had to intervene to disperse them. (Ibrat)
3. Khwaja Al Hassan of MQM Pakistan said that MQM can join Sindh government only if the party is given the Chief Minister post. Sindh CM must make clear whether he wants to empower the civic bodies or not. If Sindh government continue to deny powers to the civic bodies there will be no option to them left but to move to the court. He also stated that there is no vacancy in MQM Pakistan. Even if any vacancy arises in time to come, it will be filled from within the party. Nonetheless, doors are closed for all including to the former Sind Governor. (Kawish)
4. Punjab Government has appointed Dr. Suman Seroto, a Hindu with Mauritius nationality as the CEO of Punjab Sugarcane Research & Development Board. He has close ties with the ruling party’s high-ups. Why did the government chose a person of Hindu faith over capable Muslims? Such an appointment is injustice to agriculture experts in Pakistan; in fact it is akin to administering an insult to Pakistani talent. Some time ago, secret departments had arrested 34 Hindu experts from Ramzan Sugar Mill but they were set free at the behest of high government functionaries. (Pk Voices)
POLITICAL SCENE
1. Hina Rabbani, a former Pakistan Foreign Minister, ticked off Nawaz Sharif for producing before SC letters from Qatar prince on his London houses in connection with Panama case. She said Nawaz Sharif has dragged himself deeper into trouble. (Sindh Express)
2. Ibrahim Kumbar’s article titled ‘Qatar’s mention in Panama tale’ says it is strange that the Sharif family has now filed a new reply bringing to the fore their connections this time with the Qatar royal family, though hitherto it was known that Sharif family has connections only with Saudi and Dubai royal families. The Panama issue might not be a big economic scandal but it has surely become the country biggest political mess. More than Imran, it is Sheikh Rashid who is vocal these days. The question is at whose instance is Sheikh Rashid so vocal? There are rumours that the powerful forces (read establishment) wants to remove Nawaz Sharif under the pretext of the Panama issue. Right now Imran might be under mistaken impressions that he is big political force in the country but the day the powerful establishment starts disowning him, he will have to pay back with interest. Meanwhile, the Panama issue continues to be a big alarm bell for PML (N) and this realisation has now descended on the party leadership. There certainly is something which is being hidden behind the curtain. Even the Supreme Court has observed that something is being kept away from its purview. The SC also observed that conflicting submissions were made by the PM. The letter from Qatar’s prince has only made Panama matter more confusing instead of helping to unravel the truth. (Kawish)
3. Bilawal Bhutto and his two sisters Asifa and Bakhtawar have decided not to travel together on account of security concerns, sources said, who said security agencies have advised them in this regard. Even if they have to go to the same place, they will go at different times and by separate vehicles. (Kawish)
POK/G-B NEWS
1. AJK PM Farooq Haider said India shouldn’t forget that Kashmiris are not the people who can be intimidated. The enemy is countering a nation which has history of resistance for centuries. Kashmiris love Pakistan and the funerals of martyrs wrapped in Pakistani flags show this. The civilized nations should pay attention to the voices of Kashmiris. (Roznama Dunya)
2. AJK Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Abdul Rashid Turabi said there is no country in the world which supports India’s claim that Kashmir is India’s inseparable part. (Roznama Dunya)
3. UN’s observer’s delegation visited areas in Shakargarh that are affected by firing by Indian Border Forces. They reviewed the damage caused by the Indian shelling. (Urdupoint)
4. Gilgit-Baltistan CM Hafiz-ur-Rahman has warned of action against anyone who violate law by organizing religious programs in Karakoram International University and other educational institutions. He also has taken strong stand against abusive language during protests. He warned them with punitive action. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal)
5. Hundreds of pilgrims including many from Gilgit-Baltistan who were on their way to Iran in 88 buses have been stopped at Quetta by the security forces for many days over security concerns. It is said that the pilgrims have not been provided with proper facilities. Pilgrims are facing lot of problems. (Daily K2, Baad-e-Shimal)
6. Common man in Gilgit is facing lot of problems with increased load shedding. The rich and the influential however are spared the troubles as they have special electricity supply lines. There should be equal distribution of electricity. The special lines should be disconnected. (Daily K2)
7. Tension prevails in GB following protests by people and students against arrests made by Gilgit Police under National Action Plan. The arrests were a sequel to holding of religious programs in educational institutions despite a ban. CM Hafizur Rahman has criticised the protests saying such actions would create hurdles in the way of executing CPEC. As the Gwadar Port has started functioning and the CPEC is underway it is the responsibility of every individual in Gilgit-Baltistan to maintain peace and harmony in order to nullify enemy conspiracies against CPEC. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)