NEWS

• Al-Khidmat Foundation has established the Al-Khidmat Camp Office in Cairo (Egypt) to monitor and speed up relief activities in Gaza. Secretary General, Syed Waqqas Jafari while talking about the Camp Office in Cairo during his visit to Egypt said that the Al-Khidmat Foundation has been carrying out relief activities from Pakistan for the oppressed people of Gaza including children and women with donations for one and a half months. The purpose of establishing the Al-Khidmat Camp Office in Cairo is to speed up the relief activities, including the provision of support in the relief activities of Gaza by other Pakistani NGOs and the OAS community. (Jasarat)

• CTD has conducted operations in different cities of Punjab and arrested 9 terrorists. According to a CTD spokesman, intelligence-based operations were conducted in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Sialkot and Hafizabad besides Lahore. Two operatives who provided financial support to the banned organization were also arrested from Lahore. From them explosives, two hand grenades, a PDM bomb, mobile phones and cash were recovered. The CTD spokesperson said that the terrorists were planning the attack in different cities. (Ummat)

• Following strong opposition by Sindh, sanction for Greater Thal Canal, Phase II, has been deferred for now. This subject was part of the agenda in the ECNEC meeting and despite Punjab government’s trying hard, it failed to get the project approved. The caretaker Sindh minister told the meeting there was no water in the system for building the new canal. And said that the canal issue be deferred to the new government and the Council of Common Interests. (CCI). (Sindh Exp)

• Former SSP, Rao Anwar has made very shattering revelations concerning Zardari and the Sindh government. In an interview, he said: Zardari heads the Sindh system. Dr. Asim, Muzaffar Tapi, Yunus Memon Kidwai and few others are part of Sindh system. A sum of Rs.8 billion was transferred from account of Zen Malik of Bahria Town to account of Zardari’s special manager, Mushtaq. It can be established from CCTV footage that Presidential protocol was present at airport during Iyan Ali’s attempt to smuggle out five lakh dollars. Mushtaq’s job profile was to oversee the system and also to look after Zardari’s medicines. Mushtaq was made to escape out of the country in order to save him. According to Rao Anwar, the Karachi system illegally moved more than 700 billion out of the country largely to Canada, Dubai, Britannia, America, Saudi Arabia and other countries. He also said then home minister Sohail Anwar and legal advisor Murtaza Wahab were behind getting names of involved persons deleted from the JIT report. He also said written orders to above effect are still intact. (Awami,

• In an interview, PPP leader Zardari said “Let polls be held today, tomorrow or day after. But they should be held between February 8 to 18.” In reply to a question, he said, “When Benazir Bhutto was sworn in, she said she had taken her father’s revenge. She said democracy in itself is big revenge. Now, the hearing of the Zulfikar Bhutto case is to be heard afresh, I congratulate the chief justice (for doing this)”. Referring to Imran Khan, he said: “The pampered boy who is in jail…it took them (establishment) 30 years to prepare him. We remember Hamid Gul launching him.” In reply to another question, he said “When I was in jail, I used to fight for my rights. It was my democratic right too. We have also to move along with establishment and other stake holders”. In reply to another question, he said “Do you know why he (Imran Khan) speaks in favour of Afghans? He has got their (Afghans’) votes registered. He got them identity cards too in KPK, and said offices of Lashkar e Jhangvi should open now. He should fear God now?” In reply to a question about bloggers writing that Imran Khan’s party is going to win next polls, he said, “Jemima pays these bloggers to write such stories. Even if I am not elected, some others like me will get elected in polls. PM can also be from PPP. It was I who made Shahbaz Sharif the PM. Now. Time only will tell who becomes PM, either Bilawal or I”.  In reply to another question, Zardari said “Bilawal does not need to be taught politics. He is a young leader. I hope Asifa Bhutto also contests the polls. Now, Asifa looks after our social media section” (Awami, Dec.11)

• Co-Chairman of PPP Asif Zardari has criticized the founder of PTI Imran Khan, saying that the former PM supports Afghans because he allegedly registered Afghans in the voter lists. During an interview to a private TV channel, he alleged that Afghan citizens were registered as voters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the past to facilitate PTI. He said that Imran Khan supports Afghans because he created fake voter lists and declared Afghans as Pakistani citizens. In response to a question, Asif Zardari revealed that the Election Commission is looking into the matter, I have already instructed my party to place this matter before the Election Commission. He criticized Imran Khan for allegedly supporting the opening of offices of the banned TTP and Lashkar e Jhangvi in the country and said that Imran Khan was doing so to gain political advantage. (Dawn Daily) 

• Chairman of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has blamed the PTI government for the recent terrorist attacks in the country and said that when the power was being transferred in Afghanistan, a decision was taken without asking the parliament, and the people of Pakistan, that the terrorist prisoners   be released from the jails. The Afghan terrorists, who were involved in serious acts of terrorism in Pakistan were also released from jail. The former Prime Minister Imran Khan invited them to come back to our tribal areas. The present wave of terrorism is the result of that decision. (Dawn Daily) 

• Former Prime Minister and head of PML-N, Nawaz Sharif has claimed that if his party comes to power after the February 8 elections, it will take the country back on the path of development. Talking to the party ticket hopefuls from Multan district at the party secretariat located in the Model Town area of Lahore, he said we need to come out of the circle of ourselves. The country has suffered a lot and now it’s time to get it out of the crisis. He said that we are lagging behind other countries in the region; inflation, terrorism, and load shedding of electricity and gas did not happen during my tenure until 2017, and people were happy. If the party is successful in the upcoming elections, the responsibility of solving the problems of the people will be on the party cadres. (Dawn Daily) 

• Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar has warned terrorist groups to surrender unconditionally. The state will not negotiate with them. The Prime Minister was met by the relatives of martyrs at the Ministry of Home Affairs.  Mian Iftikhar and Samar Bilour of ANP were also present at the meeting. He said that the state alone has the right to use force. No group or individual can be allowed to commit violent acts on any basis, including language, colour, race, or creed. If any group wants to surrender, it should first apologize to the families of the martyrs. He said that the terrorists should surrender unconditionally. If they fully accept their mistake and surrender unconditionally then the state can decide about them, if not then we are ready to fight for a hundred years and the state will not communicate with such people. (Dawn Daily) 

• As a result of the terrorist attack on Daraban police station in Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3 officials were martyred while many others were injured. Dera Ismail Khan Police has confirmed the attack. According to the police, the terrorists rammed a car full of explosives at the main gate of the police station, while gunfire was also heard near the police station, 3 officers were confirmed killed in the attack while 16 officers were injured. A team of police and security forces were dispatched to Daraban as soon as the attack was reported. An emergency has been imposed in Dera Ismail Khan Hospital after the attack, and the examinations scheduled for today in school and college in Tehsil Daraban have also been postponed. It should be noted that after the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) announced the end of the ceasefire with the government in November last year, the incidents of terrorism have increased in Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. (Dawn Daily) 

• Election Commission has changed the provincial election commissioners of Sindh and Balochistan. The Provincial Election Commissioner of Sindh Ijaz Ahmed Chauhan has been shifted as Election Commissioner of Balochistan while the Election Commissioner of Balochistan will perform his duty in Sindh. In a notification, the Election Commission said that this decision has been taken in public interest. The reshuffle came hours after the MQM expressed doubts about the fair conduct of the February 8 elections, alleging that Ejaz Ahmed Chauhan and Sindh Election Commission member Nisar Durrani are actually serving the PPP by sitting in the office of a constitutional body. (Dawn Daily) 

• Former Federal Minister Fawad Chowdhury, who was arrested in a corruption case, was produced in the anti-corruption court. Senior Civil Judge Ghulam Akbar heard the case. Fawad Chaudhary’s 7-day physical remand was requested by the anti-corruption department, which the court rejected and ordered to send him to jail on judicial remand. It should be noted that anti-corruption had registered a case against Fawad Chaudhary on November 29. (Himalya Today Daily) 

• Officials of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have hinted to launch a ‘Jail Bharu Movement’ across Sindh if the killers of the slain journalist Jaan Muhammad Meher are not brought to justice. They criticized the Sindh government for its failure to nab the culprits because the accused are hiding in a rural area inaccessible to law enforcement agencies. President of the Union Rashid Ansari said that if the government does not arrest the accused, journalists can start a ‘Jail Bharu campaign’, and then spread it to the level of Pakistan. After Mexico, Pakistan has become the most dangerous country for journalists in the world where 148 journalists have been killed. If police fail to arrest the killers, then more journalists will be killed. (Dawn Daily) 

• In Hafizabad, farmers protested against the artificial shortage of fertilizer and black marketing. Sardar Zafar Hussain, the central President of Kisan Board Pakistan, while addressing the protestors, said that the government has failed miserably in controlling the black marketing. The fertilizer mafia consists of fertilizer companies, big hoarders, and dealers. By selling a sack at a price of more than five thousand rupees, they are squeezing the blood of farmers. He said that like sugar, the fertilizer mafia has also become active. Fertilizer dealers say that they are not getting fertilizer, so how they can sell it? (Dunya Daily) 

• Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Senator Dr. Ashok Kumar has stated that the traditional festival of Diwali is being organized in Quetta on December 15 by the Hindu Panchayat and the Provincial Ministry of Minority Affairs.  A festival of lights will be held at Boys Scots, with Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki as the special guest. (Urdu Point)

•  Young Doctors Association Balochistan has stated that the Finance Department has not yet released the arrears of post graduate trainees and HAS officers for more than two years. The Chief Minister of Balochistan and the Chief Secretary were informed three days ago, but nothing has happened. (Urdu Point)

• A joint meeting of JUI and Pakistan Muslim League (N) leaders was held at Mufti Mehmood Center Peshawar on Monday night, in which various formulas for seat adjustment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were considered. The JUI delegation was led by Provincial General Secretary Maulana Ataul Haq Darwish and PML (N) was led by Provincial President Amir Maqam while Tariq Fazal Chaudhry was also present. After the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam also asked the Pakistan Muslim League (N) to share seats in Punjab. (Daily Khabrain)  

• Former first lady Bushra Bibi appeared before the investigation team of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Rawalpindi. She had reached the office of NAB a few hours late. It was said in the NAB notice that when the founder chairman PTI was the prime minister, she received gifts worth lakhs of rupees from foreign dignitaries. (Daily Khabrain)  

• On Monday, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the life disqualification case of Mir Badshah Qaisrani in a fake degree case. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Attorney General and all provincial advocate generals. The Chief Justice remarked that if someone’s sentence ends, how can life-long disqualification remain? The Supreme Court’s judgment on lifelong disqualification and the Election Act cannot go hand in hand, one of the two must be retained. The Supreme Court said that the case will be heard in January 2024, the current case will not be used as an instrument to delay the elections. The Supreme Court also ordered a copy of the court order to be sent to the Election Commission and said that any political party can choose to be a party in the case. (Daily Khabrain, Roznama Intekhab)

• According to the police, there was an exchange of fire between two groups in Machhar Colony area of Karachi, as a result of which 3 people were injured. The police said that the injured were taken to the hospital for medical assistance, but they died on the way. The main suspect and his brother have been arrested and the weapon used in the firing has also been recovered. According to the initial investigation, the firing has taken place over a land dispute and search operation is on to arrest the other accused involved in the firing.  The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), however disputed the police claim and said three persons were injured in firing at the election office of MQM in Machhar Colony. (Roznama Intekhab)

• CTD (Mohmand Region) have arrested a banned organization member along with 6 facilitators. According to DIG CTD Imran Shahid, they have been extorting money, and had accounts in several private banks. The accused used to call people from Afghanistan SIMs. The DIG said it was a 30-member group of extortionists. Twenty of them have been identified, and eight have been arrested. He further informed that 2 Afghans are also members of the group. One of them has been arrested.  The commander of the militant group, Aitbar Shah, is hiding in Afghanistan. (Roznama Intekhab)  

•  There is a noticeable increase in the incidents of sexual violence against women and young girls in Lahore. 854 incidents took place in eleven months of this year. The Gender Crime Cell achieved no significant success in arresting the accused. According to police records, 711 incidents of sexual violence against women occurred in six divisions of Lahore during the eleven months of this year. Cant Division ranks first with 241 cases, Sadar Division ranks second with 197 cases. Model Town Division was third with 139 incidents, Iqbal Town Division was fourth with 57 incidents, Civil Lines Division was fifth with 52 incidents and City Division was sixth with 45 incidents. City Division and Sadar Division ranked first and second with 8 incidents of mass sexual violence against women and minor girls. Model Town Division was third with 6 incidents, Iqbal Town Division was fourth with 4 incidents, Cant Division and Civil Lines Division were next with three incidents each. In cases of sexual violence against young girls, Sadar Division ranks first with 30 cases. Cant Division and Model Town Division are second and third with 22 incidents each. Iqbal Town Division stood fourth with 20 incidents, City Division stood fifth with 12 incidents and Civil Lines Division stood sixth with five incidents. (Nai Baat)

•  For the first time in the history of Sindh, bureaucrats have been appointed as the chairman of three educational institutes, overthrowing the recommendations made by the Search Committee to make appointments on merit. Sukkur Board Chairman position has been given to Commissioner Sukkur Fayyas Abbas; Inter-Board Karachi Chairman position has been given to Commissioner Karachi Saleem Rajput; Nawabshah Education Board Chairmanship has been given to Commissioner Nawabshah replacing Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (SBBUVAS) Vice Chancellor. No decision has been taken so far regarding appointment of Controllers and Secretaries in Boards Departments and Sindh Universities Education Board, which affected the results of Ninth and Eleventh classes. (Jang) 
• Noted air quality scientist Dr. Mike Bergen has said that if Pakistan works on an emergency basis like the Chinese city of Beijing, it can also be pollution-free in about 10 to 15 years.  Pakistan will have to change its energy policy to make its atmosphere and air clean. With the support of the US State Department, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has started working on low-cost projects to achieve clean air. This project will play a leading role in creating air filters at the local level to improve air and air quality. Talking to “Jang” yesterday, Dr. Mike Bergen, who came to Pakistan on the special instructions of the US government after the Pak-America Green Alliance, said that he is very confident that there are certainly low-cost solutions for clean air. The air pollution system in Pakistan is very complex compared to the states of Central Asia. He said that the construction industry is a major contributor of air pollution in Pakistan. (Jang) 

• Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Convenor Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Senior Deputy Convenor Syed Mustafa Kamal have said that the possibility of transparent and impartial elections in Sindh in the presence of Ijaz Chauhan and Nissar Durrani will prove to be a madman’s dream. The performance of these people in local body elections is a clear proof of this. MQM alleged that Nissar Durrani is a worker of People’s Party and relative of a main leader of PPP. The provincial caretaker government is also a continuation of the biased and corrupt governance of 15 years. In Karachi, people sat on the streets and put stamps on the symbol of the People’s Party. The irony is that the Election Commission announced the success of the People’s Party without conducting an investigation. The objections of all the parties except the People’s Party were rejected. It’s not just a coincidence, but, rather, there is an argument that the Provincial Election Commissioner is biased. Siddiqui and Mustafa Kamal were speaking at a press conference at the Central Election Office “Pakistan House” along with the members of the Coordination Committee.  (Jang) 

• A worker of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat was killed as two motor cycle borne miscreants fired at a shop under the Sir Syed Police Station limits in North Karachi Sector C. The killed is identified as 35-year-old Adnan. Police are investigating the case as a target killing or out of personal enmity. (Jang) 

• The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) has said that the government should immediately allow the increase in the prices of 262 drugs as per the law. Pakistani drug manufacturers can no longer manufacture drugs whose maximum retail price has been frozen since last two years. More than 100 essential medicines are already not available in the market, and multinational pharmaceutical companies are leaving Pakistan due to the price issue. This demand was made by PPMA central chairman Mian Khalid Misbahur Rehman while addressing a press conference on Monday. (Jang) 

EDITORIALS

• Chief of Army Staff   is in America on an official visit. According to a statement released by the ISPR, General Syed Asim Munir will meet with senior US military and other government officials during his visit. This is his first visit to America as Army Chief. After assuming the post of Army Chief, General Asim Munir went on a visit to Britain. But conspiracy theorists in Pakistan began to say that the Army Chief had gone to Britain on a secret visit, which was denied. Why did the Army Chief need a secret visit and how can such a long visit be kept secret? What could be the motives of those spreading such rumors?  However, now General Asim Munir has gone to America. His visit is very important from the point of view of Pakistan. During the visit, defense issues will be discussed and meetings will be held with defense and government officials. This visit will have far-reaching results in terms of improving Pakistan-US relations, removing misunderstandings and in reaching defense agreements. (Edit Nawaiwaqt)

• A bomb exploded on Sultan Ibrahim Khan Road in Khuzdar, the second largest city of Balochistan, as a result of which SHO of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Murad Jamot was martyred while two passersby were injured. Police officials say that the explosion was caused by an IED in which the vehicle of SHO CTD was completely destroyed. Caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan Ali Mardan Khan Domki has ordered an investigation after seeking a report on the Khuzdar incident. Meanwhile, 2 persons were killed and a woman was injured by firing by unknown persons near Jinnah Town IT University, Quetta. Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti said that terrorists want to sabotage peace in Balochistan by targeting security forces. Ever since the civil and military leaders have decided to evict illegal foreigners including Afghans, there has been a multifold increase in terrorist attacks. The decision was first met with strong reaction from the Kabul administration itself and now it has come to regular resistance through its agents, facilitators, especially the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other banned organizations. The Afghan Taliban terrorists are targeting Pakistan’s security forces. The continuation of terrorism in other parts of the country, including Balochistan, especially in the northern regions, shows that despite the ongoing operations of the security forces, terrorists and their facilitators are still present, and an effective strategy is needed to deal with them. Indeed, under the National Action Plan, it was possible to wipe out terrorists from across the country, but in the context of current terrorism, this plan needs to be revisited. Apart from this, new incidents of terrorism should be a matter of concern for our security agencies. Due to the presence of loopholes somewhere in the security system, the terrorists are able to reach their targets, which must be explored. (Edit Nawaiwaqt)

• On one hand government is trying to assure people that there would be no delay in polls and on the other hand, uncertainties are being created by holding press conferences as it happened through press conference by caretaker home minister, Sarfaraz Bugti in Islamabad wherein he said authorities were fully prepared for peaceful polls but also said there were apprehensions of terror attacks on political leaders before general polls. He made special mention in particular about the threat to life of Fazlur Rehman. Why are fears being put in the minds of people? National Assembly polls must be held in time and followed by Senate polls. PPP has suggested that polls be deferred in areas facing terror threat, but we do not think that it is any solution to the problem. We think there is no space for buts and ifs and polls must take place as announced, whatever be the apprehensions. We also are of the view that all parties should be given equal opportunity. It is government’s responsibility to manage law and order; poor law and order scenario should not be made an excuse for deferring polls. (Pahenji, Edit, Dec.11)

• A powerful anti-education lobby has set paddy crops afire at Ratodero in Sindh for the only fault of farmer that he used to get his children educated and one of his children, Zenab, had done matric. Those who set rice crops afire were culprits not only of above family of farmer but are very enemies of education. Though several hours have passed, as usual, police have yet to file FIR. Also, no arrests were made till late in night. We are of the view that wherever such anti-education lobbies surface in Sindh, legal action must be taken against them. Zenab is Sindh’s Malala. We urge caretaker government to do justice to her father; her family should not only be given protection but she should also be helped to go for higher education and thus an example be set in our society. (Kawish, Edit, Dec.11)

• PPP and ML (N) are two major political parties in the country. They will take an active part in the coming polls. In times to come, they will also bring out their manifestos. Now, the question is: Will there be anything in their manifestos that will usher in some cheer in peoples’ lives? People only know what sort hardships they have e3ndured during the past few years. They   faced steep inflation, natural calamities, life-threatening epidemic, and have been facing economic distress till day. Yet, they have hopes that whichever party forms government it will do something to make peoples’ day to day life easier. We think that a party which has a people-friendly manifesto can win peoples’ hearts and votes too. We also urge political parties that instead of pulling one another’s legs during polls, they should tell people about their political programs. Every party’s manifesto should have solutions to peoples’ problems. (Sindh Exp, Edit)

• Despite the trade embargo, Indian yarn is smuggled into Pakistan. This is cause for concern. Pakistani authorities should take strict action on arrival of Indian yarn via Dubai, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand because smuggling is eating Pakistan’s economy like a termite. In these circumstances, the government has a great responsibility to close all these routes immediately. Simultaneously, action should be taken against those who buy Indian yarn sell it in Pakistan by changing the label. Time has come to take action against those who are harming the economy and make it a lesson for others. (Edit, Daily Khabrain)

COLUMNS

• Taliban security forces in Afghanistan have reportedly carried out overnight raids on the militant group’s hideouts near the border with Iran, killing an Islamic State or Daesh operative and arresting several others. A media house linked to the Taliban said on Friday that it was the “main network” of the regional branch of Daesh, known as Islamic State Khorasan or ISKP. According to al-Marsad, the network was involved in some recent attacks on the Shia Muslim community in Afghanistan. Al-Marsad’s responsibility is to counter ISKP propaganda in the country and report on Taliban counter-terrorism operations against the group. Al-Marsad, pointed out that some of the arrested members of “Islamic State Khorasan” are very important. In recent statements, the United States has described ISIS as a significant threat to regional security, warning that the group could soon launch international attacks from Afghan bases. US President Joe Biden tried to address these concerns in a letter to Congress on Thursday. Without elaborating, Biden said that “American military personnel are in a position to deal with threats to the American homeland and American interests while stationed outside of Afghanistan.” Taliban officials have dismissed US concerns, claiming that their security forces have significantly reduced the capabilities of the Islamic State (Khorasan) to prevent it from posing a threat inside Afghanistan or outside the country. Al-Marsad recently published details and photos of what it claimed “12 high-ranking leaders or officials affiliated with the Islamic State Khorasan” killed by Taliban special forces this year. The US State Department said in its annual report last week that the Islamic State Khorasan has continued to carry out terrorist attacks against Afghan civilians, especially the Shia community and the Taliban. The report said that in 2022, the Islamic State Khorasan carried out cross-border attacks in Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and maintained ambitions to attack the West. The report added that “although the Taliban have expressed their determination that they will not allow terrorist groups to use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against the United States and its allies.” It remains unclear, however, what is the Taliban’s ability to prevent Al Qaeda elements, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and the ISKP from increasing their external operations has been. The report further states that the Taliban’s sheltering of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, the Afghan capital, is under investigation. Al-Zawahiri was killed in an American airstrike on July 30, 2022. The Taliban seized power from the US-backed government in August 2021 after that all US and NATO troops withdrew from Afghanistan. (Ayaz Gul, 9 Dec, Urdu Voice of America)

• Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir’s first official visit to America is being considered as important in the context of the regional situation. During the visit, the army chief will meet with high-ranking American officials. According to experts, there are ups and downs in the relations between Pakistan and the United States and after the withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan, there is apparently no warmth left in the relations between Pakistan and the United States. But defense analysts say that despite all this situation, relations between Pakistan and the US Army have always been pleasant. If there was ever any distance in these relations, the Pentagon and General Headquarters (GHQ) bridged it. General Asim Munir is visiting the US at a time when Pakistan is facing economic, political and security challenges. Before General Asim Mainer’s visit to America, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West visited Pakistan. The foreign visits made by General Asim Munir after assuming the post of Army Chief include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the United Kingdom and China. Defense analyst, Brigadier (retd) Saad Muhammad says that this visit is different because usually Pakistani army chiefs go to China and the US immediately after deployment. The Army Chief visited China, but he is visiting America after a year. Saad Mohammad said that even if the situation between America and Pakistan is apparently tense, the communication between Pakistan’s GHQ and the Pentagon is maintained. These two organizations play a role in reducing the coldness between the two countries. Defense analyst Lt. Gen. (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi says that as it is the first visit as Army Chief, it is not possible to comment on its results at present. Talking to Voice of America, he said that the direction of Pakistan-US relations can only be gauged from the meetings held there and the declaration issued after them. According to him, it is important that whenever a new army chief is appointed, a visit to America is required. Regarding Pakistan’s defense needs, Naeem Khalid Lodhi said that Pakistan has US F-16 aircraft. Apart from this, we also depend on America for various naval needs. Pakistan-US training programs have also been closed for a long time. Therefore, it is likely that Pakistan’s defense needs will be discussed. Brigadier (retd) Saad Muhammad says that although Pakistan has no intention of purchasing weapons on a large scale. But aid for repairing the weapons and equipment used by the Pakistani army will definitely be expected. Naeem Khalid Lodhi says that the biggest problem of Pakistan at the moment is the economy, it is hoped that this will be discussed during the visit to America and the important issues of Pakistan will be discussed with the IMF and the World Bank. According to General Naeem, during his visit to America, the issue of deportation of illegally residing Afghan refugees may also be discussed, apart from this, Pakistan-China relations and Pakistan-Russia relations may also be discussed. According to Saad Mohammad, the issue of Afghanistan will be specially discussed in this visit. There will be discussions on the terrorist groups that are still active in Afghanistan. According to him, there will be a discussion on American cooperation to deal with the activities of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Naeem Lodhi, said the internal political situation of Pakistan may also be discussed during the visit of the Army Chief. According to him, many countries are concerned about the current situation in Pakistan, as well as new elections are going to be held in Pakistan in some time. So, it is likely that the internal political situation of the country will also be discussed. (Asim Ali Rana, Urdu Voice of America)

• Sindh was looted and robbed in the ancient times, from the times of Arab to English rulers, shockingly, such a loot and robbery of Sindh continues till day. A look at history books will tell that Sindh’s lands were distributed to outsiders in recognition of their one or other service or achievement and all this has been happening as a part of a conspiracy against Sindh. The most surprising part is that this trend continues till day in the times of caretaker government in Sindh. If we assess Sindh government’s such acts from legal and constitutional point of view, it has no such rights. But, caretaker government in Sindh keeps taking such strange decisions which are neither legally nor constitutionally right…some such decisions and acts taken/done by Sindh government are as under: Sindh High Court recently gave orders to stop cutting of Karoonjhar mountains but Sindh government, instead of abiding by court orders, has decided to challenge Sindh High Court orders in apex court. (2) The federal and caretaker governments in provinces and also the election commission have stopped all developmental works. But despite this ban, developmental works continue in all provinces except in Sindh. The election commission and others should have taken note but no such note has been taken till day.  (3) Third strange development is the caretaker government in Sindh giving sanction for giving away /allotting Sindh vacant government lands in Sindh to a company set up by the army for joint ventures. Besides, a decision has also been announced that any land falling vacant in Sindh will henceforth be given away/allotted to a federal company. First of all, lands allotted in Sujawal are not vacant. These lands are meant for grazing for use by locals, these lands are also a source of earning livelihood for these locals. Also, the caretaker government in Sindh has no right to allot or auction or lease out Sindh lands to any company. Legally speaking, even elected governments have no such power. The caretaker Sindh government is being headed by retired chief justice but he keeps legal aspects aside and seems to be all out to appease establishment. (4) On one hand, the federal government controls Sindh resources, lands, minerals, and it/federal government usurps Sindh’s agricultural and other resources but yet ill-treats Sindh and treats it as some alien country or part of some other country. Federal authorities keep controlling Sindh’s economy and Sindh’s water too. These days Sindh people are very upset and angry at caretaker governments in Islamabad and also one in Sindh on decisions of allotting, auctioning or leasing out Sindh lands. Hence, the caretaker government in Sindh should take back such decisions. Can any caretaker government give away, lease out or allot Sindh government’s lands to any government or private company? No. The caretaker government has no such rights. For that matter, even elected governments do not enjoy such rights. The caretaker head of Sindh government is himself a retired chief justice. But he does not take into consideration all related legal aspects while taking decisions on above issues. (Awami, Sagar Memon, Dec.10)

• If election tempo is still not building up and if election-related enthusiasm is still conspicuous for its absence, major reason for such a scenario could be authorities at higher level in government not wanting polls now because authorities at higher level do not see results in imminent general elections to be of their liking or on their desired lines. On one hand, people are being prepared to cast their votes and on other hand it is also being conveyed that if the establishment thinks that election results will not be to its liking, then polls can be deferred too. This scenario is building up despite the Supreme Court’s clear orders against any plans of deferring polls. Though deferring polls does not look likely now because the finance ministry has already released funds to election commission and release of election schedule is in its final phase, but assuming poll schedule indeed gets deferred, will political parties rise to oppose any such plans to defer polls? The fact of matter is that parties themselves do not feel to be fully prepared for polls scheduled two months later. No matter what PPP says and no matter what even PTI says, but the way PTI leaders continue to remain either underground or in jails, the party does not seem to be in fit form to contest polls. Likewise, Nawaz Sharif wants more time to make Punjab free from Imran Khan’s charisma and influence. If attempts are made to defer polls, then more than the Supreme Court, it is the interests of foreign policy which will play a more influential and decisive role. These days American interests are being taken care of more, American emissaries have also visited the country’s all-powerful politicians and have also held off-the-record meetings with Imran Khan in jail. Our parties might not be prepared for polls, but foreign forces want polls as announced. IMF’s giving its next instalment of loan to Pakistan in January also seems to be part of above pressure that polls take place as scheduled. (Pahenji, Aijaz Mungi, Dec.11)

• Afghanistan has once again become the center of attention where there is concrete evidence of terrorist incidents in several countries including Pakistan, China, and the US by existing terrorist organizations. According to a report, Afghanistan has become a hotbed of international terrorist organizations where 23 terrorist organizations are carrying out terrorist activities in 53 countries. Pakistan is one of the top victims of terrorism from Afghanistan. Out of 23 terrorist organizations, 17 target only Pakistan. Among these organizations, TTP, Jamaat ul Ahrar, and Baloch extremist organizations are at the top. The TTP and Afghan support played a central role in a large number of terrorist incidents in Pakistan last year. According to the Asia-Pacific Forum, since 2020, TTP attacks in Pakistan have been gradually increasing. TTP carried out 49 attacks in Pakistan in 2020, 198 in 2021, and 237 in 2022. The people involved in most of the suicide attacks in Pakistan in the last two years were also Afghans. That is, TTP has the full support of the Afghan Taliban. Despite Pakistan’s repeated demands, no action has been taken by Afghanistan in this regard. In a recent report by the United Nations, the instability in the region has been indicated under the Afghan Taliban. According to the United Nations report, the promises made by the Afghan Taliban in the Doha Agreement to break the terrorist group and not become a security threat to other countries have not been fulfilled. After the Afghan Taliban took power, the security situation in the region has become uncertain. Despite promises of peace in Afghanistan, threats of terrorism still exist in the country. The current situation is that attacks from Afghanistan are continuing in Pakistan because, despite the security arrangements, terrorist organizations are able to take advantage of their presence along the Pakistani border to carry out attacks inside Pakistan. These attacks not only cause loss of life but also affect Pakistan’s economy and public confidence. These terrorist organizations get financial support through drug trade and other illegal activities. This financial support helps them to make more attacks and increase their power. These organizations try to create instability by spreading fear and panic among the people through attacks and threats. (Rasheed Safi-Dunya Daily)