UNITED STATES
Iranian President Ahmadinejad has advised Pakistan to adopt a firm stance against US-led drone attacks on Pakistan’s soil. (Ausaf)

In his Urdu Point column, Sartaj Aziz writes that US President Obama was trying to convince American voters that America’s goal in Afghanistan has been achieved and that the US and NATO forces would withdraw from Afghanistan by 2014 with the military operations ending in 2013. US has carried out a strategic deal with Afghanistan and the number of Afghan National Security forces will be increased to 3.5 lakh. According to this deal, the US will train them and hand over security duties to them. Sartaj Aziz says in the Chicago summit, it was proposed that the Afghan military would be 2.30 lakh strong and that USD 4 billion would be spent on them annually; with the US and NATO countries providing the fund. Another USD 8 billion will be needed for the re-construction of Afghanistan. Aziz writes that when 1.30 lakh-strong ISAF forces had failed before Taliban despite possessing modern weapons and technology, how could Afghan forces counter Taliban insurgency. American policy to invite Taliban for talks had failed; he says that the Taliban will wait for the reduction of ISAF forces and then begin their onslaught to capture more areas. Aziz quotes  expeerts saying that, the situation in Afghanistan was a ‘strategic defeat’ for Pakistan; if Pakistan handled the situation properly, the changing situation in Afghanistan could be the start of a new era of peace and stability in the region. He  writes that Pakistan will have to understand that the power struggle in Afghanistan which is between Taliban and Northern Alliance which is backed by ISAF forces. He avers that once the US withdraws, Northern Alliance will accuse Pakistan of backing Taliban. As a result, attacks on Pakistan’s tribal areas may increase on the pretext of ‘ending safe havens of Taliban’. Aziz claims that the Afghan Taliban were Pakistan’s friends but they also supported TTP, which has been a threat to Pakistan. He regrets that the Pakistani leadership has not yet realized what situation will emerge in Afghanistan once the US leaves. Aziz claims that India, America and Afghanistan are emerging as the ‘new strategic alliance’ in the region, which is also an effort to isolate Pakistan. Aziz advocates that Pakistan will have to form a nuanced and calibrated balance policy keeping in view all these developments. (Urdupoint)

DEFENCE
A Swedish team will visit Pakistan to assess damages to aircrafts in the Kamra airbase attack. (Ausaf, Urdupoint)

Pakistan Rangers have arrested 9 Bangladeshis who were reportedly entering Pakistan by crossing the Sialkot Working Boundary. These Bangladeshis were without any travel documents or I-cards. (Ausaf)

Nawa-i-Waqt editorially expresses concern over reports of thousands fleeing North Waziristan fearing a possible military operation. Instead of the operation, the government should hold dialogues with rival groups. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

Daily Pak’s edit on North Waziristan rumours says a jirga was held at a madrassa near Miranshah recently to discuss options in case of a military operation; around 1500 tribal lords, Ulemas and Taliban attended. In this jirga, it was announced that the Utmanzai tribe had honoured the peace accord and that if the government carried out an operation, all tribals would shift to Afghanistan. Rumours about a military operation in North Waziristan began circulating after media reports which even the government did not deny. Only the COAS in his address at the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, rejected any possibility of a joint US-Pak military operation; but then he also said that only the government will decide about the operation and the Army would follow government instructions. The daily urges both tribal militants and the government to settle issues through talks. (Daily Pak Edit)

Jang edit comments on PTI Chief Imran Khan’s opposition to ops in N Waziristan after meeting tribal elders. He said an armed operation was no solution to terrorism in North Waziristan. Many have opined that an operation would only increase problems as terrorists would escape to Afghanistan and other areas. It is necessary to seal the Afghan border. People have already started fleeing from North Waziristan fearing a conflict. Edit writes that the war on terror had given Pakistan only losses and hence, ending of terrorism in Pakistan is important but it should be done in Pakistan’s interests, instead of appeasing America. (Jang Edit)

TERRORISM/EXTREMISM
Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat announced that until the Fiqa Jaferiya was removed from MMA, they will not join it. Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat has stated that their party will perform well in the next elections, says a report under the heading ‘ Sipah-e-Sahaba has demanded to remove Fiqa Jaferiya from MMA’ . (Daily Hazara News)

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Political Analyst Mohammad Nawaz Raza says PPP will try to prolong the issue of writing to Swiss authorities as long as it is possible. During PPP government’s tenure, President Zardari will not allow the government to write to Swiss authorities. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, said that they were ready to sacrifice every party worker along with PM Ashraf for the nation. PPP respected the judiciary and will continue to do so. He added that they had countered dictatorship to protect democracy. He also said that elections would be held next year as per schedule, and that if elections are held before that, they could sit with the opposition and talk about it. (Ausaf, Urdupoint)

President Zardari has wooed PPP’s allies on the issue of PM’s appearance before the SC and hence, the PM will appear before the SC accompanied by key leaders and ministers. (Ibrat)

First session of the Parliamentary Commission on formation of new provinces in Punjab will be held tomorrow. (Ausaf)

Jiye Sindh Quami Mahaz has decided to stay away from general elections protesting against injustice meted out to Hindus in Sindh. JSQM leader Dr. Niyaz Kalani said that if Hindus were moving to India, it was due to the government’s failure to provide them proper safety. (Jang)

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah met with PM Ashraf and discussed the prevailing religious conditions in the country. They also exchanged views on the upcoming NA session to be convened by President Zardari. (Jinnah)

In
his column, Hamid Mir talks about complaints by former PM Gilani against the judiciary at a farewell party in honour of the Palestinian Ambassador. Mir says that Gilani told him about the injustice done to him and his family. (Jang)

In his column, Irfan Siddiqui writing about the next election says that people have faith in the new Chief Election Commissioner Fakhruddin Ibrahim and that he should keep their trust by conducting a free and fair elections. (Jang)

In his Awami Awaz article, Abdulwahab Munshi writes about Pir Pagara’s role in Pakistan’s politics. He says that at present, 4 parties were playing a crucial role in the country’s politics – PPP, PML-N, PTI and Pir Pagara’s PML-F. Munshi says religious parties in Pakistan have never been able to form government, even when they have united. He says that these parties have often been blamed for siding with anti-democracy forces and this was the reason they were not popular with the public. Munshi says attempts are being made to bring all religious parties on one platform so that they could win more seats. He says that times were tough for PPP in Sindh, largely due to the fact that PPP allowed itself to be played into MQM’s hands. Munshi says that PPP treated its ex-Interior Minister Zulfikar Mirza badly; Mirza stood up against MQM and had to pay with his ouster. Munshi says Mirza’s successor, Manzoor Wasan was also disgracefully ousted from Sindh’s Interior Ministry which prompted Wasan to join Pir Pagara’s PML-F. Munshi claims Zardari intervened and stopped Wasan from doing so. Munshi says another charge against PPP has been its silence when MQM has been marching ahead on his demands for Mohajirs; he says Sindhis are not happy with PPP over the new civic system which will be introduced soon and which will see that Karachi and Hyderabad remain with MQM and several Sindh government departments are handed over to the Karachi Mayor. Munshi says Pir Pagara is against the new civic system and has even threatened to withdraw from the PPP alliance. He says that Pagara has already endeared himself to Sindhis and claims that Sindhis were likely to rise up in support of PML-F if the new civic system is ratified in the assembly. He says this may mean an end of PPP’s rule and the rise of PML-F in Sindh. Munshi says that for the first time, PML-F and Sindhi nationalist groups may form government in Sindh. He says that PML-F can play a key role at the federal level as well if it works for the Baloch and also for South Punjab. (Awami Awaz)

Nawa-i-Waqt edit on the SC hearing the issue of writing to the Swiss authorities says after the former PM was held guilty of contempt of court, the PPP government should have sought a middle path to avoid a face off with the judiciary. It seems the present PM is likely to follow his predecessor’s footsteps. Edit hopes that the government will avoid any further clashes with the judiciary to save the system and that the PM will disregard his advisors’ advice. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

Ausaf edit is on CJP Iftekhar Chaudhry’s statement hat it is the responsibility of the courts to get governments to implement verdicts and that it is the judiciary’s job to ensure the constitution’s supremacy. The daily writes that the government was making excuses to avoid writing to the Swiss authorities. It claims that the people of Pakistan believe that their leaders have accumulated wealth in Swiss banks. (Ausaf Edit)

Daily Intekhab’s edit on Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf’s economic policy, PTI’s economic policy has nothing new to offer.  PTI has failed to give a programme like Zulfikar Bhutto had presented when he sought people’s mandate. Edit says that Khan ignored the suggestions given by PTI senior vice president to include agricultural income tax and comments that if such tyranny continued, there would be no change in the status quo. (Daily Intekhab Edit)

Khabrain editorial praises PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for removing Zulfikar Khosa’s reservations and taking him back into the party. It said the return of Khosa has strengthened PML-N’s position. (Khabrain Edit)

ECONOMY-WATER- ENERGY
Ausaf’s editorial says the summer had ended but load-shedding has not reduced. It says that the government has not served the people despite a 5-year term. (Ausaf Edit)

 Pakistan will import 1 lakh tons of coal from Australia and 40,000 tons of iron ore from Iran to enhance its capacity of steel production. (Nawa-i-Waqt)

SINDH
Members of the Christian community and some political parties and social groups demonstrated at the Karachi Press Club to protest against the arrest of 11-year old Christian girl. On this occasion, speakers said that the girl had been arrested on blasphemy charges only due to a personal dispute. They appealed to the President and the Chief Justice for justice to the girl and demanded an investigation through the Islamabad High Court commission. (Awami Awaz)

Sindh CM’s role in deciding development schemes for Karachi is practically over; this was evident from the fact that crucial meetings for Karachi’s development work were being presided over by the Sindh Governor, who was also taking decisions about foreign loans for Karachi’s development. From the minutes of Karachi Municipal Corporation meeting held on July 26th it is clear that the Sindh Governor chaired the discussion on constructing Maleer expressway from the Arabian Sea to the super highway; even an earlier meeting on this matter on January 18th was presided over by the Sindh Governor. (Awami Awaz)

Ausaf edit on target killings in Karachi says that due to increasing target killings, extortions and abductions, the business class was moving out of Karachi. The government has failed to protect common people. (Ausaf Edit)

Ummat has expressed concern over frequent strikes by doctors in government hospitals and said because of strikes many poor people have lost their lives. Doctors should not adopt such a method to protest. Karachi administration should also take immediate measures to end the doctors’ strike as delays would only increase the number of casualties. (Ummat Edit)

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWAH (NWFP/FATA)
Fighting continues in Bajaur Agency and in Salarzai Tehsil; security forces and the Aman Lashkar have killed 22 militants. The security forces used heavy mortar shelling and helicopters bombing to destroy dozens of militant hideouts. Aman Lashkar has increased its number of volunteers and has formed more check-posts. (Ausaf, Urdupoint)

BALOCHISTAN
Six people were killed as a result of firing on a vehicle in Bolan’s Bulandi area. (Urdupoint)

Nawa-i-Waqt editorially commented on the Baloch nationalist parties decision to observe Akbar Bugti’s 6th death anniversary as a black day and warns the government that it should fulfil their just demands before the situation goes out of hand. (Nawa-i-Waqt Edit)

POK NEWS
AJK President Sardar Yaqoob Khan said that rumours of making AJK a province of Kashmir were baseless. (Jang)

AJK Premier Chaudhary Abdul Majeed said that blaming the government for the return of refugees to Jammu and Kashmir was wrong as the government was taking all measures necessary to provide every facility to camp dwellers. He asserted that Pakistan was an advocate of Kashmiris. (Daily Dharti)

G-B NEWS
2 people, including police were killed in firing incidents at different places in Gilgit. Businesses have opened up for the first time on the 25th of August. Despite the PM’s instruction, C-130 planes could not be operated between Gilgit and Skardu, and as a result, a large number of students, government employees, and Army soldiers have remained stranded in Gilgit-Baltistan. (Nawa-i-Waqt, 26th August)

Tension continues in Gilgit city. All business centers remained closed and security was put on high alert. 6 terrorists have been arrested in target killing incidents over the last week. (Baad-e-Shimal)

Traffic has remained suspended on the Karakorum Highway despite government announcements. The passenger vehicles were not allowed entry into Gilgit-Baltistan. (Daily Hazara News)

Deputy Commissioner of Gilgit-Baltistan, Raqim Tariq, has claimed that the local administration is taking steps to establish peace in the sectarian violence hit areas. The situation is getting better; the markets have opened. He said that the forces’ morale will not come down due to terrorist attacks. He also claimed that the local administration was working along with Mosque boards to promote peace. Tariq also informed that targeted operations were being carried out against suspected activities. (Ausaf)

People in Gilgit-Baltistan have claimed that the terrorist network was not in Diamir but in Gilgit. (Ausaf)

Ataullah Shahab, Advisor to PM on Gilgit-Baltistan and General Secretary of JUI (Gilgit-Baltistan) said that sectarianism in Gilgit-Baltistan had turned the region into a volcano. If the situation is not contained, it would engulf everyone. He urged that the Ulema and leaders protect Gilgit-Baltistan from becoming a Waziristan and a Swat. Shahab added that the government will have to establish its writ to establish peace and a tough response will be given to those who will challenge it. (Ausaf)

Daily Hazara commenting on sectarian terrorism during Ramzan at a tourist location Naran in Hazara said the sectarianism in Hazara is an import from the Northern Areas. It regretted that culprits of the Kohistan massacre had not been arrested so far. (Daily Hazara News Edit)

After the KP government gave a security assurance, the Gilgit-Baltistan Interior Ministry has written to all government and private transport companies to restore bus services on the Gilgit-Karakorum Highway. (Baad-e-Shimal)

The situation in Gilgit-Baltistan has not improved at all; the condition in Gilgit-Baltistan has come close to a civil war. People were facing psychological issues, and markets and roads were deserted. People were not even getting food or petrol. (Baad-e-Shimal)

Baad-e-Shimal editorial says in view of security threats, the district administration of Hunza Nagar has begun to evict businessmen from other districts who had been living in Hunza Nagar for the past 20-25 years. Many businessmen, labourers, and truck drivers had been instructed to go home. Despite security expenses crossing Rs. 1 billion annually, the administration has failed to establish peace.  (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

Baad-e-Shimal edit on PML-N leader Marvi Memon’s visit to Gilgit-Baltistan under instructions from Nawaz Sharif says she criticized the ruling government for its inability in establishing peace. Alongside the ruling party, other political parties should also play their role in restoring peace. (Baad-e-Shimal Edit)

Daily Dharti says in an editorial that Prime Minister Ashraf, who is also the Chairman of the AJK Kashmir Council, had sent another summary to the AJK President asking him to amend the Accountability Bureau Act 2008 in order to give immunity to the Kashmir Council. Along with the summary, the Law Ministry sent a letter that even if the AJK President did not act accordingly, the said amendment would take effect and no department of the AJK government would have a right to impeach the Kashmir Council. The edit points out that Kashmir Council got its funds from the taxes levied on people in AJK and hence the AJK government should take up this matter with Islamabad; The daily added that AJK government would get the support of groups that have been working on various forums to limit the rights of the Kashmir Council. (Daily Dharti Edit)