Siraj vs secularism
According to Daily Dunya (01 January 2018), the leader of the Jamat-e-Islami, Siraj-ul-Haq, called on the people to banish the secular and corrupt rulers using the power of their vote. He emphasized that his party sought to end all sorts of corruption from the country – financial, as well as moral and ideological corruption.
Punjab’s finest
Daily Dunya (01 January 2018) reported that the Punjab police were helpless (be-buss) in the face of absconding criminals. The report stated that during the past year, the police had been able to apprehend only 36 absconders in Category A, while 920 remained at large in Lahore, 2,174 in Gujaranwala and 1,139 in DG Khan.
Musharraf is still wondering
A lawyer for ex-president General (r) Pervez Musharraf, according to Daily Jang (01 January 2018) explained that the former strongman was looking into legal counsel on the issue of returning to Pakistan to face courts.
Logistical issues
According to Daily Dunya (02 January 2018), police in Lahore’s Misri Shah area were severely short on handcuffs. As a result, they presented 9 suspects in court having tied them with ropes.
Rana Sanaullah’s apprehensions
Rana Sanaullah was quoted by Daily Dunya (02 January 2018) as saying that the ‘Devil of Pindi’ (Pindi ka Shaitaan) and ‘Mad Khan’ (Paagal Khan) had panicked, and that he was concerned that they might launch an attack on the system. He further opined that even a suicide attack could be expected from them.
“The fault, dear Nawaz…”
Daily Jang (02 January 2018) quoted a noted astrologer predicting that Nawaz Sharif’s stars will remain in motion this coming year (sitaray gardish mein rahein ge), that the PPP needs to find an alternative to Bilawal, that Imran Khan would remain a king-maker but not become king and that Maryam Nawaz’s political position was not secure.
Situation in Riyadh
Sheikh Rasheed expressed his opinion, according to Daily Jang (02 January 2018) that the entire Arab world together could not obtain an NRO for the Sharif brothers, and that they were sitting and waiting in Riyadh for many hours but that King Salman was not allowing them to enter.
On Naya Pakistan
Daily Jang (02 January 2018) quoted Sahibzada Shah Muhammad Owais Noorani of the Jamiat Ulema Pakistan (JUP) as saying that a New Pakistan (Naya Pakistan) of dancing and singing (naach gaanay) was unacceptable.
Naya Zardari?
PTI chief Imran Khan, according to Daily Express (06 January 2018) was quoted as saying that it was possible that Zardari had spoken against an NRO, and that he may have come back to the correct path (seedhay raastay) and that God can give guidance (hidayat) to anyone.
Record bust
Daily Express (07 January 2018) informed its readers that police in Lahore’s Gulberg area arrested a bootlegger with a record (record-yafta) during snap-checking, and found 300 bottles in his possession.
Pulling a fast one
According to Daily Express (07 January 2018), a man had been arrested in Lahore for pretending to be an official from the Punjab Food Authority and extorting money from shopkeepers. He had been taking money from factory owners too.