EDITORIALS:

1. Reports of lawlessness including street crime and other major offences keep pouring in media offices even in times when we are grappling with floods. Police and other law-enforcing forces have failed to keep law and order. Kidnappers continue ruling roost and their areas are no-go–areas not only for common man but also for police personnel. It is criminals’ writ that runs in Sindh. When police and government machinery dare not enter kidnappers’ areas, then who will help people? In case of kidnappings, there are always reports of police getting hostages freed after some deal of give and take with kidnappers. Barring very negligible cases where police force does deliver, in most other cases, people have stopped pinning hopes on police in Sindh. It is time Sindh police worked hard to regain its glory and arrested the criminal elements so that people can heave sigh of relief. (Pahenji Akhbar Edit, Sept.13)

2. The kind of politics being witnessed in the country and the way all of them keep charging one another with shouts of “chor-chor” only suggests that it is the politicians who are responsible for prevailing rot. And, the way their political gestures keep getting worse day after day instead of any better, they are bound to result sooner or later in all that we are getting to see around these days, namely, price rise, depreciation of national currency, unemployment and continued dependence on foreign loans. We do not see the government framing any economic policies that could do the country any good anytime in future. Government and Opposition now need to sit together for larger good of people.( Kawish, Edit, Sept.13)

3. Shanghai Co-operation Organization’s Council of Heads of States meets from tomorrow (Sept.15) in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand city. The SCO was set up in times when entire region was grappling with big challenges like terrorism, narcotic smuggling, and sale of illegal weapons. Now    a new challenge that can be added to list of challenges is climate change. Pakistan today is badly affected by climate change, and hopefully our PM, Shahbaz, will not only draw attention of member countries to prevailing scenario in Pakistan but he will also put his best efforts to woo member countries to stand by Pakistan in its tough times so that together we can steer out. (Ibrat Edit)

4. The violence on children is on rise in the country. According to a NGO, there were about 2000 incidents of violence on children during the last six months. Its report points out that children are not safe in the country, neither at home, nor at madarsa and nor even at educational institutions. There are laws to protect children but not to much avail. The authorities must see to it that laws about protection to children are strictly implemented. (Sindh Express Edit)

5.  Flour prices are increased in Punjab and Sindh after increase in prices of government supplied wheat. This has put the poor in great distress. Government should take up this issue seriously and provide relief to people instead of troubling them. (Aeen Edit)

6. Inflation is at its peak today. The government has failed to check prices even after getting IMF loan. The government tried to stop the rising price of dollar by curtailing imports but that attempt also failed because the exports did not increase. In fact, the exports were down by 24 percent in July. The floods have given a very hard jolt to exports and economy. It can’t be denied that political stability is essential for economic stability. Fresh elections are a way out of this situation, as Imran Khan is demanding for the last five months. The ruling coalition should consider the validity of this point. (Edit-Dunya Daily)

7. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has shown a very dangerous trend by suggesting that the new army chief should be appointed by the new government and the tenure of current chief should be extended till then. Clearly, Imran Khan is hoping that his government would come back to power. The PTI chief constantly cashed in on the army, saying that the army is with him. It was he who gave an extension to the current army chief. What kind of attitude is this? (Edits- Jasarat, Jang)

8. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) says eradication of corruption is its main mission and keeps dubbing its political rivals as corrupt. Several such have come to light which are clear proofs of the untruthfulness of this party’s claims. The latest revelation has come in the form of the report of the Auditor General of Pakistan. It contains a special audit of PTI government’s flagship Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Project. Irregularities worth about three and a half billion rupees were found in the three-year long programme. (Edit Jang)

9. Depreciation of rupee, fall in exports, malnutrition, unemployment and poverty are getting worse compared to previous years. There are no signs of improvement in the near future. After the recent devastating floods, challenges facing the economy have increased. The first priority at this juncture is help to flood victim. In the coming days, the situation may deteriorate in terms of law and order, because if people do not get food and clean drinking water facilities, they may come to the streets. (Edit, Daily Express)

10. Urban crimes are increasing across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Federal and Provincial agencies should deal with the situation with a firm hand. (Daily Pakistan Edit)

11. This is the time to think whether all political forces should for some time go beyond politics and create a common action plan for national development and security. If a national government is formed for the next five years, it can be a great favor to the beleaguered nation. (Daily Pakistan Edit)

NEWS

12. Pakistan has written a letter to Afghanistan to arrest Maulana Masood Azhar, the chief of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed. Afghan authorities have been asked to find and arrest the Maulana. According to the letter, Maulana Masood Azhar is probably in Nangarhar and Kunar areas. The letter for the arrest of Maulana Masood Azhar was written by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refrained from talking about the issue saying that it is sensitive. (Nawai Waqt, Ummat, Jasarat, Jang)

13. US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the sale of F-16 aircraft parts   will help Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. He further said that Pakistan is an important ally of America in many fields. We are with the people of Pakistan in their hour of distress due to floods. (Daily Express, Ummat, Nawai Waqt, Daily Jinnah)

14. Former Prime Minister and leader of ML-N Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said there is a clearly laid out process on appointing Army Chief. It is not vague. The constitution says Prime Minister appoints the Army Chief. The government is not considering the extension of Gen Bajwa term. There is no such proposal.  What Imran Khan is talking about is not valid according to the constitution and the present situation. As Prime Minister in 2019 Iman Khan had the right to appoint a new army chief but he had lost the privilege as he only extended Bajwa tenure. Now he wants to create unrest by making the appointment controversial. (Dunya Daily)

15. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that the Sharif government wants to bring political changes in Punjab by observing that change in the Punjab government will bring political stability in the province. Participating in a TV program on Tuesday he said that we have the option of changing the Punjab government but we will act at the proper time. Referring to the appointment of the new Army Chief due in November he said that it is the right of the Prime Minister and coalition parties will be taken into confidence. So far, the government has not talked with anybody. About Nawaz Sharif, he said that he will definitely come back but the timing for his return has not yet been decided. Nawaz’s return will bring positivity to national politics. (Dunya Daily)

16. Jamaat e Islami Chief, Siraj ul Haq, has said that the right of the Prime Minister to appoint the Army Chief should be abolished. The appointment should be done on the principle of seniority only. Speaking at a meeting in Peshawar he said that both PDM and PTI are interested in the appointment of the Army Chief. It shows that the politics of both parties depend on the blessings of the establishment. Both should stop using defence institutions for flourishing their politics. Jamaat e Islami wants to see the Election Commission and Judiciary completely independent. Both the present and former governments are responsible for the rule of IMF in the country. (Daily Express, Daily Jinnah, Ummat, Nawai Waqt, and Dunya Daily)

17. General Secretary of PML (Functional) Sindh, Sardar Abdul Rahim has the government has increased the price of wheat to appease a particular group of hoarders and profiteers. The people have lost everything in the rains and floods. They are suffering from hunger. How they can buy costly wheat.  He said that getting rid of the Zardari and company is the only solution for the prosperity of the people of Sindh. (Dunya Daily)

18. Secretary-General of MQM Arif Azam has said that recent rains and floods have destroyed many parts of Sindh including Karachi. People are not getting the relief that is pouring in because of corrupt govt machinery and the Waderas (feudal lords). The relief goods are either looted enroute, or transferred to the warehouses of the Waderas. The government is   delaying the draining of flood water. Because as long as the flood water remains, foreign relief will continue to pour in. (Dunya Daily)

19. Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has raided the house of PTI Senator Saifullah Niazi.  Giving details, PTI senior, Fawad Chaudhary said that the FIA officials had taken away laptops and phones. The raid is no more than harassment. Chairman Senate and related institutions should take immediate action in this regard. PTI Chairman Imran Khan   said in a statement that the ‘imported government’ and its handlers are pushing them against the wall. (Jasarat)

20. During the first half of this year, 2211 children were subjected to sexual violence across the country. A report by an NGO working to prevent sexual violence against children has revealed that 12 cases of sexual violence against children occur every day. (Jasarat)

21. During the operation against the Afghan citizens residing illegally in Sohrab Goth, 36 Afghan citizens involved in various crimes including robbery were arrested. (Jasarat)

22. Levies in Khuzdar have recovered two kidnapped girls of Lahore and Faisalabad from the hilly area of Moula; three kidnappers were arrested after exchange of fire. (Ummat, Daily Jinnah, Daily Express and Jang)

23.  CTD Police has arrested 2 terrorists in Sahiwal, and foiled their terror plan. According to sources, the terrorists were arrested from Madhali Road; they were identified as Muneeb Anwar and Osama bin Umar, they belong to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban. Weapons, explosives, batteries and hate material were recovered from them. (Daily Jinnah, Daily Express)

24. Terrorists from Afghanistan opened fire at an Army check post in the Kharlachi area of Kurram district, according to ISPR. As a result 3 soldiers were martyred. The terrorists faced heavy loss of life due to retaliatory action of the Pakistan Army. Pakistan strongly condemned the use of Afghan territory by terrorists. It is expected that the Afghan government will not allow any such activity in future. (Daily Express, Nawai Waqt, Daily Jinnah, Ummat)

25. Five people, including Idris Khan, a member of the peace committee, were killed in an explosion in Bara Bandai area of Swat caused by remote control. Two police officers were among the dead. (Daily Express, Daily Jinnah, Ummat, Nawai Waqt)

26. 1694 posts of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have been lying vacant in 7 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for a long time. (Urdu Point)

27. Central Secretary General of Balochistan Awami Party, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, has stated   the seriousness of the Chief Minister of Balochistan can be judged from the fact that for the last several days, the aid supplies given to the Hilal-e Ahmar by Iran on the Taftan border, has started to rot.   (Urdu Point)

28. Bhanamari police station arrested two suspects during the Kohat road blockade; both are also involved in various crimes including illegal weapons. Five pistols have been recovered from them. (Daily Pakistan)

29.   Quetta Commissioner has said that all possible efforts are being made to ensure safety and security of minorities and to recover all the minority worship lands from encroachers. He added that participation of minorities in development and progress of the province cannot be negated. (Qudrat)

COLUMNS

30. None should be above law when it comes to the issue of rule of law and issues concerning disregard/disrespect for institutions. It is the government’s responsibility to enforce it and for reasons best known to authorities, this is not being done till day. One gentleman goes to the extent of saying “Let anyone disqualify Imran Khan and try to leave Islamabad, we will see how he can do it” If conditions are allowed to remain this way, then tomorrow any political leader, with support of few activists, will keep speaking against institutions. Such conditions will take the country only to state of a jungle, which in other words would mean might is right. (Ibrat, S. A. Zahid)

31. The Covid-19 era lockdown has shaken the roots of our economy. Inflation shot up during the lockdown. It did not come down even after the end of the lockdown. Sources of earnings dried up for people. They did not have money to buy food or medicines but our politicians were not concerned. They were busy toppling the federal government. And they succeeded in it after a long struggle. But what is the result? Those who were crying over the inflation, taking out long marches to protest against inflation and the inability of the federal government to control it, are now sitting in the treasury benches of Parliament but inflation is rising at breathtaking speed. Meanwhile, rains and floods further increased the problems manifolds. The flood-affected people don’t have a roof over their heads. They are badly in need of food and medicines. But our politicians are still busy in their power game. Corruption is on the rise. People are afraid that the relief may not reach them. It is a valid fear which cannot be brushed aside. The stagnant water is spreading a multitude of diseases. We don’t know how many years are needed to rehabilitate the distressed and displaced people. (Javeria Siddiqui-Dunya Daily)

32. Taliban did not get the power in Afghanistan as a result of the Bonn Conference, nor is their government indebted to America or any other foreign power. Twenty years of unwavering sacrifices and struggles had brought them to power in Kabul. Another commendable point in favor of the Taliban government in line with international norms is that they have come to power without any bloodshed. Therefore, in principle, the world should not only have welcomed their coming to power but also recognised the Taliban government in the interests of the Afghan people. But by not doing so, the international community is causing problems for the Afghan people. Taliban have not only shown patience and tolerance since coming to power. Through amnesty to their opponents they have delivered a message that the current Taliban believes in taking all Afghan factions together. It should be noted that half of the country’s 38 million people are facing extreme poverty. Due to the ban on international transactions and the non-recognition of the Taliban government, Afghans are facing many difficulties in international travel while facing unemployment and other problems at home. In addition to health and education, social welfare, and communication systems   are in a disarray. In these circumstances, the Taliban will do well to extend the hand of friendship to neighboring countries, especially Pakistan and Iran, as well as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The Taliban should also extend friendship to Islamic countries like Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which are interested in wellbeing of Afghanistan. The trust of the two powers of the region, China and Russia, must also be gained. (Alamgir Afridi, Jasarat)

33. Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, has raised some important points in his address at the beginning of the new judicial year. He bluntly said he is determined to protect the constitution in every context. Parliament, Provincial Assemblies, High Judiciary and Subordinate Judiciary, Election Commission, Army, Auditor General and Civil Service will ensure the protection of Pakistan in all circumstances. With this address of the Honorable Chief Justice, democracy and democratic institutions have been strengthened in the country. The Supreme Court has to protect the constitution and laws of the country in all situations.   Chief Justice also mentioned in his speech about the ruling of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly. He said the role of the Supreme Court Bar was biased in the case of the Chief Minister of Punjab. Verbal tension between the Supreme Court and the Bar does not bode well for the justice system.   (Muzammil Saharwardi, Daily Express)

34. Since he became Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2018, Imran Khan switched over to Shalwar Kameez and Peshawari slippers. He stuck to this dress code when he went on a visit to a western country, addressed United Nations, met US President Trump, or gave an interview to CNN. He recites Bismillah Rahman Ur Rahim before every speech at home and abroad. There is a thematic coherence in his speeches and no one can say that any of his speeches are devoid of evidence. But his biggest weakness is the way he indulges in the character assassination of the Opposition Leaders. Many “educated” people present in his core committee should draw hid attention to remedy this disgrace which has now gone beyond disgrace to “abuse”. (Lt. Col. Retd. Ghulam Jilani Khan in Daily Pakistan, 13th Sep. 2022) ###