2. Speaking in Islamabad, AJK PM Abdul Majid said that the region will be made into a base camp for the freedom movement. He said they stood by the people of J&K and that they would not disappoint them. Majid said that they will not keep quiet until Kashmiris obtain right to self determination. (Ausaf, 29 January)

3. Nawa-i-Waqt editorially ticked off PM Gilani for describing Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh as sincere for wanting to settle bilateral issues including Kashmir. Either Gilani is too innocent or he said this under US pressure. Manmohan Singh has never once talked of retreating from India’s stance of calling Kashmir as India’s integral part; in fact, he has threatened surgical strikes against Pakistan. Edit says that under his term, India has continued disturbances in Balochistan and the Indian Army has continued aggression in J&K. Edit ends by saying that Kashmir could not be freed by giving a sincerity certificate to Manmohan Singh; it could only be freed through the use of force. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

UNITED STATES
1. Mullah Omer has refused the American demand to end the war; sources close to Mullah Omer have claimed that the delegation visiting Qatar was allowed to talk only on the exchange of prisoners. Prior to releasing prisoners, the US had demanded a ceasefire from the Taliban. (Jasarat)

2. US was paying USD 104 million monthly on alternate routes to provide supplies to its troops in Afghanistan since Pakistan had stopped NATO supplies. (Jasarat, Nawa-i-Waqt)

3. Pakistan will present its report to the UN on killing innocent people in drone attacks over the last 4 years, terrorist activities, extremism, missing persons, children and women’s rights, and other issues concerning human rights issues. (Nawa-i-Waqt)  

4. In his column, Abdul Hafiz Amirpuri writes that former President Musharraf had given up under American pressure and hence, America got an opportunity to make Pakistan its colony. He writes that in the Musharraf era, CIA and Black Water spread their networks across Pakistan and started anti-Pakistan activities. He writes that Pakistan’s patience ended when the NATO forces deliberately attacked Salala check-post. He says that it was claimed that drones would be shot down if they violated Pakistani air space and questions why was it not being done now that the US had re-started its drones programme. He questions whether this is weakness on the part of the military or the civilian government. (Al Qalam Weekly, 27 January to 2 February)

DEFENCE
1. Shahbaz airbase in Sehwan, Sindh, has been reopened. (Kawish)

2. Interior Minister Rahman Malik called on Interpol Secretary Ronald Nobel in Dubai and discussed about support to arresting people wanted in Pakistan, regional peace and terrorism. They also talked about bringing Omer Farooq to Pakistan through Interpol. (Urdupoint)

3. Al Qalam Weekly’s editorial refers to the news that Norway was running a secret intelligence network in Pakistan; it writes that Interior Minister Rahman Malik has confirmed this report but has not revealed how many Norwegian spies had been active in Pakistan and since when. Edit criticizes the negligence on the part of the security and intelligence agencies of Pakistan which allowed such anti-Pakistan networks to flourish. (Al Qalam Weekly Edit, 27 January to 2 February)

TERRORISM & EXTREMISM
1. In his column, Irfan Siddiqui appreciates JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the huge rally at Mazar-e-Qaid and compares it with Imran Khan’s rally held a few days ago. He comments that while Khan’s rally got extensive coverage in the media, Fazlur Rehman’s rally got no notice from the media. (Jang)

2. Ausaf’s edit is on JUI-F’s conference at Mazar-e-Qaid in Karachi where JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had talked about how the establishment was the major hurdle in the way of making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. He said that the humiliation of Muslims, the desecration of Quran and the West’s anti-Islamic steps forced people to take extremists steps. He also said that if Pakistan had a strong policy against such Western aggression, Pakistan would be in a better position today. Edit analyses Rehman’s statements and says that when the civilian government uses the term ‘establishment’, it refers to the Army. It says that Army generals, civilian leaders and a large section of the media were all not in favour of Islamists getting an upper hand. (Ausaf Edit, 29 January)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
1. Sindh National Front Chairman Mumtaz Bhutto said that President Asif Ali Zardari was also involved in the killing of former PM Benazir Bhutto along with the US. He added Interior Minister Rahman Malik and Law Minister Baber Awan control Zardari ears. He said that Zardari would never have become the President of Pakistan if Benazir was living. (Daily Intekhab)

2. Addressing a meeting at Gujranwala, Punjab, JUI-F’s Fazlur Rehman said that Pakistan has been made into a security state; he insisted that the establishment give up its control over civilian leadership. He alleged that international institutions like IMF and World Bank were reducing Pakistan to a state of slavery and that the US was cheating Pakistan at various platforms. Rehman declared that the Pakistani economy was under Jewish lobby’s and that NATO was being used against a religious world. He referred to the worsening conditions in Balochistan and said that Pakistan’s defence and economy were under pressure. He complained that Pakistan still did not have Sharia despite 65 years of its existence. He accused that pro-western forces were being promoted. Speaking elsewhere, Rehman said that if the establishment did not come in the way, religious groups could come to power. (Ibrat)

3. PM Gilani has said that after presenting the budget in May, the elections could be held any time. (Kawish)

4. In a telephonic conversation, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Shahbaz Sharif have agreed to pressurize the government for holding early election. (Jinnah, Baad-e-Shimal, Nawa-i-Waqt, Khabrain)

5. JI leaders protested against the killing of JI member Manzoor Siddiqui. (Khabrain)

6. In his article, Mahmood Shams writes that even though a formal announcement has not been made, election campaign has taken off.  He says that the economy could not develop in the midst of political chaos and questions the quality of budget that would be presented in such confusion. He questions why President Zardari visited Myanmar on the heels of Hilary Clinton’s visit. Shams says that Myanmar was a controversial place where American and Chinese interests clashed. He says that Pakistan may have been given an assignment by either the US or China to have spurred this visit. Shams says that PPP-led government has handled the confrontation with the Army well enough but the judiciary still has its daggers drawn at the government as evidenced by cases continuously cropping up in the SC which put the PM or the President under media scanner. He says that the country’s economy is in complete shambles. He quotes global think-tanks that see Pakistan breaking up economically but not politically. Shams says that it is the duty at this juncture that all parties, judiciary and the Army join hands and after declaring an emergency, see to it that industries get gas and power. He also raises concern about the declining value of Pakistan rupee. He says that there were no threats to either the country or Islam; but the economy was facing serious threats. He wants every party to be questioned as to when the Pakistani rupee would be at par with the Indian and Bangladeshi currencies. He also wonders what Pakistan’s Afghan policy would be now that the US was planning to withdraw soon. Shams says that the government policy on the repayment of foreign debts is not clear as well. (Ibrat, 29 January)

7. Jasarat’ edit refers to PM Gilani’s statements delivered at Davos on the sidelines of the WEF where he said that the main reason behind deterioration of ties with the US was America’s unilateral actions in Pakistan’s tribal areas. Edit demands Pakistan’s complete withdrawal from it. (Jasarat Edit)

8. Ausaf’s edit says that the people had great expectations when the NRO verdict had come out. The people had though that the Memogate verdict will expose many wrongdoers. Edit says that the people’s expectations have remained unfulfilled. It says that now the people have a lot of expectations from the Khurram Rasool case. (Ausaf Edit, 29 January)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
1. Jasarat EDIT refers to the State Bank of Pakistan’s quarterly report which has termed Pakistan’s economy as poor. It says that reaching targets would be difficult and that government loans have been doubled. The report forecasts that inflation will increase. (Jasarat Edit)

2. Ibrat edit refers to the State Bank of Pakistan’s quarterly report and says that this calls for unity amongst government institutions. It comments that as this was not being done, it was adding to the economy’s downfall. (Ibrat Edit)

3. Kawish EDIT on State Bank of Pakistan’s quarterly report says it has painted a very depressing scenario as it has said that the country will not be able to reach its targets. Edit says that the absence of planning is affecting the country’s economy. (Kawish Edit)

4. Daily Pak edit says State Bank’s quarterly report does not give a pleasant picture. It is critical that the present government has not done anything to uplift the national economy. It comments that even under the Benazir Income Support programme, only the party members or their friends were benefiting. Edit refers to Shazia Murri’s revelation about salaries being paid to dead government employees and writes that these funds could have been better utilized. (Daily Pak Edit)

5. Jang and Ummat in their edits on State Bank of Pakistan’s quarterly report talks about more financial problems that could be faced by the Pakistan economy. It was acknowledged that due to lack of external resources, settling debts had been a serious problem and it had pressurized the banking system. It suggests that funds sent by Pakistanis in foreign nations be used and that work on coal and solar energy be expedited so industries would be in a position to support the economy. (Jang Edit, Ummat Edit)

6. In his article, water expert Idris Rajput says that Kalabagh Dam lobby is active once again. He refers to a report in an English newspaper (January 18) titled ‘Bhasha Dam risky for Pakistan’. Rajput says that this article has been based on the views of a water expert Bashir Malik who is said to the former World Bank technical advisor. He uses this article to say that Punjab continues to be for Kalabagh Dam and if the Bhasha Dam is built, people may forget the Kalabagh. Rajput claims Punjab will never approve of this. He says that on the other hand, PPP seems to have made up its mind to scrap the Kalabagh Dam project entirely. After PPP’s government, until Sindh says ok, this dam cannot be built. (Kawish)

PUNJAB
1. CM Shahbaz Sharif has decided to appoint a health minister. He has also decided to hand over portfolios, which had been with himself so far, to other ministers. (Daily Pak)

2. The new building of the Punjab assembly has not been completed even after 7 years, even though Rs. 1.25 billion has already been spent on its construction. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

3. Many departments in Punjab have spent more than the allocated current budget during the last 6 months. As per information, the police budget was allocated Rs. 26.39 billion, whereas the police have spent Rs. 27.36 billion. The prisons department was given a budget of Rs. 2.7 billion, but it has spent Rs. 2.10 billion. No budget was fixed on fuel and energy for the economic affairs sector but Rs. 89 lakh has been spent. A budget of Rs. 3.16 billion was fixed for the mining and manufacturing sector but Rs.3.29 has been spent. Other departments spending more than the allocated budget are construction and transport, industries, environment protection, housing and community amenities, recreation, and social protection. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

SINDH
1. It was decided to rename Sunni Tehrik as Pakistan Sunni Tehrik; it was also decided that the killers of Sunnis at Nishtar Park would be brought to justice. Sunni Tehrik leaders threatened that if the culprits of the Nishtar Park massacre were not arrested, the Sindh Governor House and the Sindh CM House will witness a sit-in. It was also decided that the party will take part in elections from this year, in order to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. (Ibrat)

2. Sindh United Party’s chairman has said that the Sindh strike against the 20th amendment bill in the assembly has been successful. He said that the people who introduced the bill want to spread hatred across Sindh. He said that the Urdu-speaking population should keep in mind that those who treated Sindh as their motherland will be treated like brethren but they should not indulge in such politics. He said that MQM should take back this bill. (Ibrat, 29 January)

3. Chairman of Jiye Sindh Mahaz Barkat Jatoi, in a statement, condemned statements made by A
NP leaders including Hajji Adil. In this statement, Jiye Sindh Mahaz said that ANP leaders’ statement reflects on their fascist mindset. It was said that Sindhis gave shelter to Pathans and yet, Pathans were talking about splitting Sindh. In this statement, Jiye Sindh Mahaz leaders also said that they condemned Altaf Hussain’s statements regarding GM Syed appointing Hussain as the leader of Sindhi nationalists. (Ibrat, 29 January)

4.  Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that a death squad from Gilgit was behind target killings in Karachi. He said that Mullah Fazlullah had been sending militants from Gilgit into Karachi. He warned these militants that the government was close to their bases now. He said that the mother of a member of the death squad told the government that her son had been paid Rs. 60,000-Rs. 70,000 to trigger bloodshed in Karachi. He said that members of this death squad were using veils and motorcycles. (Awami Awaz, 29 January)

BALOCHISTAN
1. Daily Intekhab’s edit talks about turmoil in Balochistan and the dissatisfaction expressed by SC over the ISI report on target killings in the province. It says that the SC asked the ISI and MI to rework their reports. It questions whether reports from secret agencies would improve the Balochistan situation as the Army and other security agencies have been denying incidents of target killings and dead bodies. Edit writes that some autocrats have their armed groups active in these areas and it is not possible for these elements to act freely without support of some government agency. Edit ends by saying that these political parties should come forward and let people know the facts about target killings and dead bodies as only reports will not solve the Balochistan problem. (Daily Intekhab Edit)

POK/ G-B NEWS
1. G-B CM Mehdi Shah said that the Diamir Division will soon be created comprising district Astore and Diamir as it was an old demand of the people. (Ausaf, 29 January)

2. G-B government has appointed Dr. Sajid Chauhan as Home Secretary, shifting the present Home Secretary Asif Bilal to the federal government. (Baad-e-Shimal)

3. The people of Gilgit City claimed that 5 public representatives were present in a range of 5 kilometres and that Rs. 35 lakh were being spent on them on a monthly basis. They claimed that these public representatives had not taken up any public issues so far. (Ausaf, 29 January)

4. People of Gojal are still confined because of the Attabad lake issue and the blockage of the Karakoram Highway. (Baad-e-Shimal)

5. Patients and the management of the District Hospital were suffering due to shortage of staff. Locals have expressed their anger against the Health Minister for neglecting the issue. (Baad-e-Shimal)

6. Baad-e-Shimal voicing concern over spread of TB in G-B criticises Health Minister for the delay in setting up TB centres for 50,000 TB patients. It notes the minister’s lament that though funds worth crores were being provided by NGOs to treat TB patients, due to lack of proper supervision and permanent set up, these funds were being wasted. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

7. Baad-e-Shimal EDIT is critical that development projects were pending in G-B due to non-payment to contractors. It says that suspension of development projects leads to unemployment. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)