Daily Press Summary

SIGNIFICANT NEWS REPORTS:





Saturday, December 06, 2008



Lead Stories:

The reports about the car bomb blast in Peshawar killing 30 and wounding 140 persons, US drone attack in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan killing 4 and injuring 2 persons, President Zardari and Karzai’s pledge to evolve joint efforts to combat terrorism and ISI Chief’s briefing to PM Gilani have been flashed by the print media as their lead stories today.

President:

 Trilateral talks between Presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey open in Turkey; Turkish PM hosts an open air luncheon in honour of President Zardari and President Karzai. (All papers)

 President Zardari, Karzai pledge to evolve a joint strategy to combat terrorism, work for regional peace, security and stability, while burying the past differences; Zardari says, evidence not yet provided regarding Mumbai attacks: Address at joint press conference in Istanbul. (All papers)

 President Zardari says, Mumbai attacks won’t affect Pakistan’s anti-terror fight; Pakistan awaiting ‘concrete proof’ from India that a Pakistan-based group was behind the attacks as part of its own investigation into the bloodshed: Conversation with press reporters in Istanbul. (All papers)

 Taking notice of a murder executed on the orders of a ‘jirga’ on the pretext of karo-kari in Nawabshah, the President House has directed the police to look into the matter and take action against the culprits. (Dawn)

Prime Minister:

 Heads of European Union missions in Pakistan meet PM Gilani; PM urges EU leaders to provide Pakistan greater market access; says, Pakistan willing to cooperate with Indian in exposing the hidden hands behind the Mumbai terrorist attacks; militants thrive on Afghan drug money. (All papers)

 ISI Chief briefs PM Gilani on the prevailing security situation in the country; discusses the allegations leveled by Indian official circles and media, implicating the ISI in the Mumbai attacks; decide to take measures to negate the Indian propaganda and explain Pakistan’s position internationally. (All papers)

 In a major policy decision, PM Gilani announces not to exercise his discretion for age relaxation for any CSS candidate: Official sources. (Business Recorder)

 PM directs PASCO to purchase rice from peasants on announced rates; says, support price to be paid directly to farmers: Remarks during meeting at the PM House. (All papers)

 PM Gilani approves recruitment against one thousand posts for Northern Areas. (Khabrain)

 PM Gilani greets Finland government on national day. (All papers)





Parliament:

 The meeting of NA Standing Committee on Education to be held on December 15 to discuss CJP Dogar’s daughter’s extra marks case; Committee Chairman Ch. Abid Sher Ali says, Chief Justice can be called. (Nawa-e-Waqt)

 NA Secretariat hands over a copy of the stay order of the SC to Chairman Standing Committee on Education Abid Sher Ali: Sources. (News)

 NA session summoned on December 15. (All papers)

Government:

 Information Minister Sherry Rehman says, South Asia disputes can be solved through cultural diplomacy: Address at painting exhibition of Bangladeshi painters in Islamabad; India has not yet provided any proof regarding Mumbai attacks: Interview with a private TV channel. (Majority of papers)

 Government decides to abolish 35pc L/C margin on auto sector: Saleem Mandviwalla. (Business Recorder)

 Work on PM Housing Project to start soon: Minister for Housing and Works. (Nation)

 Rehman Malik says, foreign elements may be involved in Karachi riots; lawlessness in Karachi will not be allowed. (Business Recorder, Frontier Post)

 Shaukat Tareen says, power tariffs will be increased in April 2009 to offset Budget deficit of 55 billion of WAPDA. (All papers)

 Benazir Income Support Programme might begin its service in the first week of January: BISP Chairperson. (All papers)

 Pakistan now acting on shared proof: Hussain Haqqani. (Daily Times)

 Interior Ministry decides to issue National Alien Registration Authority cards to all foreigners staying in Pakistan for more than three months: Report. (Nation)

 TCP issues a tender to import 500,000 tons of wheat. (Dawn)

 Railways announces 5 per cent decrease in economy fares w.e.f. December 08. (Nawa-e-Waqt)

Judiciary:

 IHC seals the relevant records of the Federal Board concerning extra marks to CJP Dogar’s daughter. (All papers)

 Maulvi Iqbal Haider files constitutional petition in the Supreme Court requesting the SC to disqualify NA Standing Committee on Education Chairman, Abid Sher Ali for discussing the conduct of CJ in the Parliament. (All papers)

Political:

 Ch. Nisar meets Sharif brothers in Lahore, asks to relieve him from the responsibilities of Parliamentary leadership, the name of Sardar Mehtab is under consideration for the purpose: Report. (Nawa-e-Waqt)

 PML-N condemns IHC decision of sealing examination record of CJP Dogar’s daughter Farah Dogar: Ahsan Iqbal. (News)

 MQM, ANP advocate for more raids on criminals in Karachi, reports Mumtaz Alvi. (News)

 Allegation against ISI for Mumbai attacks unjust: Musharraf. (All papers)

 Indian High Commissioner meets MQM leader Farooq Sattar. (Frontier Post)

News Analysis:

 The Presidency on Friday put its weight behind the Parliament in the unexpected showdown created by the Supreme Court by issuing a stay order against parliamentary proceedings, while several federal ministers and PPP leaders were holding urgent consultations to ask Chief Justice Dogar to resign with dignity, reports Aslam Yasin. (News, Jang)

 An overwhelming majority of PPP leaders condemns the Supreme Court intervention in NA Standing Committee on Education’s proceedings and calls for immediate action of the Parliament to ensure its supremacy, reports M. A. Noorani. (News, Jang)

 Civil society, HR activists want CJ to resign, reports Usman Manzoor. (News, Jang)

 NA Standing Committee on Education seeks legal and constitutional experts view on two issues in the Farah Hameed Dogar case, reports Ansar Abbasi. (News, Jang)

 With the Supreme Court jumping into stop a parliamentary probe into the purely personal matter of Chief Justice Dogar and his daughter’s inflated marks and challenging the authority of the Parliament to carry out such a probe, a Pandora’s Box has been opened which could drag the political process and the infant democratic order into the dump, comments Shaheen Sehbai. (News, Jang)

 Nuclear armed Pakistan went into a state of ‘high alert’ on November 28 and was eyeing India for possible signs of military aggression, after a threatening phone call made to President Zardari by someone from Delhi who posed himself as the Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, reports Zaffar Abbas. (Dawn)

 Former Federal Minister Ishaq Khan Khakwani has revealed how Dr. Nasim Ashraf cleverly made a fool of former President Pervez Musharraf for seven years by dropping names to impress the retired General and continued enjoying life at taxpayers’ expense before flying back to the US, reports Rauf Klasra. (News)

 Zahid Bashir was PM Gilani’s second friend who was shown the door for his involvement in a serious controversy over his meeting with CJP Dogar caused the government a tremendous embarrassment; but in a chat, Zahid Bashir said, he had no regrets about his brusque dismissal by the Prime Minister, reports Tariq Butt. (News)

Foreign:

 Indian PM says; Pak territory used for attacks in Mumbai; India is ‘angry’, awaiting Pak. response. (All papers)

 US, India ask Pakistan to take strong action against terrorists involved in Mumbai attacks and warn that in case of non-compliance, USA and India would themselves take action against the alleged culprits: Diplomatic source asking for anonymity. (Nation, Nawa-e-Waqt)

 Pakistan still fighting on Afghan border; Pakistan not moving troops from Afghan border: US General Michael S. Tucker. (Dawn, News, Daily Times)

 Review of Afghan policy almost complete: Condoleezza Rice. (News)

 Condoleezza Rice was not to convey any message to Pakistan during her recent visit but to talk with the Pakistan officials regarding transparent help in the investigation of Mumbai attacks: US State Department Spokesman Robert Wood. (Pak. Observer)

 Several Mumbai attackers still alive: US experts. (News)

 India postpones Secretaries level trade talks with Pakistan: Indian TV. (All papers)

 Canadian Foreign Minister phones Foreign Minister Qureshi, discusses the situation in region following the Mumbai attacks and bilateral relations. (All papers)

 Richard Boucher meets Altaf Hussain in London. (All papers)

 India, Russia seal N-energy pact. (Nation)

Economic:

 SPI based inflation decreases by 0.53 percent. (Frontier Post)

 WAPDA-KESC-HUBCO-KAPCO-PSO-IPPS circular debt reach Rs. 200 billion: IMF sets March 2009 as cut off date to clear debts. (Pak. Observer)

 Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan directs KSE to remove floor mechanism by 15th December. (Nation)

Defence:

 3 killed, 2 injured in US drone strike in Mir Ali Tehsil of North Waziristan Agency. (All papers)

 Keeping in view the sanctity of Eid-ul-Azha, TTP declares ceasefire. (Nation)

 India sets sights on ‘Militant training camps’ in Pakistan: Asia Times Online. (Daily Times)

Terrorism:

 Car bomb kills 30, injures 140 people in Peshawar; Qisakhwani Bazaar markets catch fire after explosion outs

Posted on: 6-December-2008

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Source: Press Information Department (http://www.pid.gov.pk)

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