O 080900Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7658
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 
USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 
THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI//CCPA// IMMEDIATE
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002323 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 08, 2008 
 
Summary:  Reports on a series of seven bomb blasts that rocked 
Karachi that killed at least one person and injured more than 40 
dominated headlines in all newspapers on Tuesday.  Newspapers also 
highlighted Prime Minister Gilani's condemnation of the blasts in 
Karachi and the order for "high alert" security in all provinces. 
The second lead story was a suicide attack on the Indian Embassy in 
Kabul that killed 41 and wounded 150.  Some newspapers highlighted 
that Foreign Minister Qureshi condemned the bombing in Kabul, saying 
terrorism negates the very essence of human values.  Newspapers gave 
prominent coverage to Ambassador Patterson's meeting with Awami 
National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan in Islamabad.  Several 
dailies reported that Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) administration has 
started symbolic classes on the debris of the demolished Jamia Hafsa 
to condemn the government's delay in rebuilding the seminary. 
 
Almost all newspapers ran editorials about causes and effects of 
Sunday's suicide attack in Islamabad.  English daily "The News" said 
it is known that support for militancy exists in many places and is 
tied in to strong anti-U.S. sentiments.  However, the paper also 
noted that more worrisome still are the reports that those in key 
places within the establishment do not really wish to see militancy 
disappear.  Likewise, another English language daily, "Dawn," agreed 
that there are Taliban sympathizers in the establishment, especially 
the army, and in society too.  Conversely, the center-right Urdu 
daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" asserts that the attack seems part of a plan 
aimed at compelling the government to stop the peace talks with 
Taliban and intensify the operation.  The liberal Urdu daily 
"Express" noted that such attacks destroy the country's economy by 
scaring away foreign investors.  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
¶1.  "Fear Grips Citizens As Seven Blasts Rock Karachi" "The News" 
(07/08) 
 
"A series of seven bomb blasts rocked Karachi on Monday, killing at 
least one person and injuring more than 40, the state-run television 
reported.  Intelligence sources claimed that the criminals wanted to 
provoke ethnic violence in the city." 
 
¶2.  "President, PM Condemn Blasts" "The News" (07/08) 
 
"President Musharraf and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on 
Monday strongly condemned the bomb blasts in Karachi.  In a 
statement, the president said the despicable acts of terrorism were 
a conspiracy against the country and its people.  Meanwhile, Prime 
Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who is in Malaysia to attend the 
sixth D-8 Summit, in a message on Monday asked the nation to forge 
unity among their ranks and support the democratic government in 
maintaining law and order.  Gilani telephoned Rehman Malik and 
directed him to put the security on high alert in all the four 
provinces." 
 
¶3.  "41 Killed In Strike On India's Kabul Embassy" "Dawn" (07/08) 
 
"Forty-one people, including Indian Military Attach and a Political 
Counselor, were killed when a suicide bomber rammed an 
explosives-laden car into India's Embassy here on Monday, officials 
said.  The deadliest attack in Kabul since the 2001 fall of the 
Taliban also left nearly 150 people wounded." 
 
¶4.  "Pakistan slams Kabul Bombing" "Daily Times" (07/08) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday condemned the bomb 
blast outside the Indian Embassy in Kabul in which more than 40 
people were killed.  'Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms 
and manifestations as this menace negates the very essence of human 
values,' a Foreign Office statement quoted him as saying." 
 
¶5.  "Patterson Discusses FATA With Asfandyar" "The Post," "The 
News," "Daily Times" (07/08) 
 
"US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson on Monday met Awami 
National Party head Asfandyar Wali Khan and discussed matters 
related to FATA operation, regional issues and overall political 
situation of the country.  During the meeting in Islamabad both 
Peterson and Asfandyar Wali agreed to use other options including 
negotiations instead of military operation to tackle militancy in 
the tribal areas." 
 
¶6.  "Jamia Hafsa Restarts Symbolic Classes" "Daily Times" (07/08) 
 
"The Lal Masjid administration on Monday started on-hour symbolic 
classes to condemn delay in the reconstruction of Jamia Hafsa by the 
government." 
 
¶7.  "U.S. Condemns Islamabad, Kabul Attacks" "Dawn" (07/08) 
 
"The United States on Monday condemned suicide bombings in Islamabad 
and Kabul that killed dozens of innocent people and offered to help 
India investigate the attack on its Embassy in the Afghan capital, 
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a briefing in 
Washington.  Earlier, the White House issued a stronger condemnation 
of the bombing in Pakistan that killed 20 people, called it a 
'needless act of violence' and vowed to help Islamabad fight 'this 
common enemy,' White House National Security spokesman Gordon 
Johndroe said." 
 
¶8.  "Pakistan Next U.S. President's Big Challenge" "Dawn" (07/08) 
 
"U.S. President George Bush has said that the biggest challenge for 
the next President of the United States would be Pakistan and not 
Iraq or even Afghanistan, according to a report in the U.S. News and 
World report on Monday." 
 
¶9.  "USAID Expands $90m National Education Support Program In Sindh" 
"The News" (07/08) 
 
"The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and 
the Sindh Department of Education and Literacy signed a Memorandum 
of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to expand the USAID's nationwide 
$90 million ED-LINKS program in Sindh." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
¶10.  "Another Day Of Horror," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/08) 
 
"Disturbingly, there is as yet little proof that this war is being 
won.  Indeed, militants seem to be expanding their hold on wider and 
wider tracts of the country.  While the Lal Masjid's prayer leader 
has condemned the bombing, it is known that support for militancy 
exists in many places and is tied in to strong anti-U.S. sentiments. 
 More worrying still are the reports that those in key places within 
the establishment do not really wish to see militancy disappear.  At 
present, it seems, the country's security forces have no means at 
their disposal to tackle suicide bombers - and this can only mean 
the threat of further such attacks lurks almost everywhere in the 
country." 
 
¶11.  "Blast In Islamabad," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(07/08) 
 
"The authorities are still clueless as to who was behind Sunday's 
devastating blast in Islamabad.  Does the government feel inhibited 
in its actions from within?  It cannot be denied that the situation 
is full of contradictions.  There are Taliban sympathizers in the 
establishment, especially the army.  In society, too, powerful 
sections - even though in a minority and utterly indifferent to the 
nation's long-term interests - tacitly approve of this bloodletting. 
But then the government has no choice but to make an obvious 
decision to fight this rebellion." 
 
¶12.  "Islamabad Tragedy," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) 
(07/07) 
 
"The involvement of intelligence agencies of Afghanistan and our 
enemy India in this tragedy cannot be ruled out as they already 
accuse us of alleged terrorism, thus paving the way for the U.S. to 
achieve its aggressive designs against our sovereignty....  This 
attack seems part of a plan aimed at compelling the government to 
stop the peace talks [with the Taliban] and intensify the 
operation." 
 
¶13.  "Islamabad Suicide Attack:  A Conspiracy To Weaken Pakistan," 
an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (07/08) 
 
"Although there is no similarity between the two suicide attacks [in 
Kabul and Islamabad], this is certain, if there is one country on 
which international and U.S. pressure will increase, it will be 
Pakistan....  Such attacks destroy the country's economy by scaring 
away not only foreign investors but also foreign sports teams, like 
Cricket." 
 
¶14.  "Need To Address Causes Of Suicide Attacks," an editorial in 
the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (07/08) 
 
"We should understand the intentions, and interests of big powers 
regarding their opposition to the peace treaties between the 
government and the local tribes.  These big powers can target our 
tribesmen just to guard their national interests.  Today, we have 
positioned one-hundred thousands troops at Pak-Afghan border for the 
sake of the U.S.-led war on terror.  In spite of that the security 
situation is still precarious, therefore we must comprehend the 
gravity of the state of affairs, and any delay can pose serious 
threats to our national interests, and sovereignty." 
 
¶15.  "Suicide Attack In Islamabad," an editorial in the 
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (07/08) 
 
"The government officials must know that a suicide attack is the 
most difficult task for an individual to execute, so they must 
identify the causes that why are the young people of this country 
ready to lay their lives through suicidal attacks?  It is not an 
easy job to persuade, and convince the youth to 'sacrifice' their 
lives either.  We must address the grievances of people and protect 
them from the clutches of fanatics who are deceiving them." 
 
¶16.  "Another Suicide Attack In Islamabad," an editorial in the 
popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (07/08) 
 
"The peaceful Lal Masjid Shuada Conference shows that religious 
workers and religious-minded people are not terrorists.  And it is 
duty of the administration to apprehend terrorists, and it cannot 
recoil from its responsibility by saying that suicide attacks cannot 
be stopped anyway.  A good strategy can help stop suicide attacks, 
however a common policeman cannot deal with this menace.  The 
Government has to stationed anti-terrorist personnel where there is 
likelihood of suicide attacks." 
 
¶17.  "Lal Masjid's Issues Must Be Resolve Immediately," an editorial 
in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (07/08) 
 
"It is the duty of the new government to rebuild the demolished 
Jamia Hafsa (girls school) next to Lal Masjid, resume schooling at 
Jamia Faridia (boys wing), and set free Maulana Abdul Aziz to lessen 
tension in the area.  If the bomb blast in Islamabad was really a 
suicide attack, as was claimed by the government, this situation is 
alarming." 
 
¶18.  "It Is Possible To Get Rid Of Suicide Attacks," an editorial in 
the Lahore-based liberal Urdu daily "Aaj Kal" (circ. 5000) (07/08) 
 
"All political leaders must forget their differences, cooperate with 
the government, and tell their constituents that these suicide 
attacks are not jihad, in fact they negate the very principles of 
Islam. They also need to tell the public that these terrorists are 
targeting only Muslims, not Americans or non-Muslims." 
 
¶19.  "Suicide Attack In Islamabad," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (07/08) 
 
"If the Foreign Minister is right in saying that this [suicide 
attack] is retaliation for the operation [in Khyber Agency], the 
government must adopt the path of talks, instead of using force." 
 
¶20.  "A Wake Up Call," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/08) 
 
"The administration currently faces pressure from Washington, which 
opposes talks with the militants.  The militants on the other hand 
demand a total break with pro-U.S. policies.  There are complaints 
from the NWFP government that the establishment creates hurdles in 
the implementation of peace accords.   What is paramount however is 
to get all policy decisions approved from the National Assembly?" 
 
¶21.  "Suicide-Bombing Is Predictable And Preventable," an editorial 
in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" 
(cir. 10,000) (07/08) 
 
"Needless to say, more of the same is coming.  The question is: is 
the PPP government willing to fight or does it want to let the Al 
Qaeda-Taliban network win?  It has sent the army into the Tribal 
Areas and must now stand firm even if that means political isolation 
and bad footage from the TV channels who are brave only as long as 
they don't ruffle the feathers of the terrorists.  Suicide-bombers 
are going to spare all the elements opposed to the PPP and zero in 
on its supporters.  It is time for Mr. Zardari to bite the bullet 
and do the right thing till it is time for Al Qaeda to go." 
 
¶22.  "Why Taliban Target Army And Police?," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (07/08) 
 
"Still there are people who believe that Americans and Indian 
intelligence agencies were trying to create problems for Pakistan 
with a view to undermining its political and economic strength.  By 
sponsoring such attacks, which are invariably linked to Taliban, 
they want Pakistani authorities to wage the war on terror with more 
vigor, rather vengeance.  If Taliban are behind the tragedy, then 
question arises as to why they make Army and Police Force their 
target.  Obviously, it is because these are symbols of the State and 
by making them target they want to send a clear message that it is 
in retaliation to the flawed policy on campaign against terror. 
There is a strong perception that the authorities are doing all this 
at the behest of the United States." 
 
¶23.  "Vicious Attack," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (07/08) 
 
"The past incidents of suicide bombings have proven that ordinary 
ways of maintaining law and order are simply inadequate to confront 
the hydra of terrorism.  There is no room for slackness.  The 
vicious suicide attack in the capital was followed by a series of 
blasts in Karachi the next day.  It further demonstrates the gravity 
of the situation.  The only remedy against terrorism is coming down 
hard on the terrorists." 
 
¶24.  "Yet Again Blast In Islamabad," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" 
(cir. 3,000) (07/08) 
 
 "The suicide attack seems to be a reaction to the Lal Masjid (Red 
Mosque) operation in which hundreds of people were killed last year. 
 There is a possibility that a relative or a buddy of some of the 
victims had done this.  But this is not fair, as these policemen 
were not involved in the operation against Lal Masjid.  If General 
Musharraf committed a mistake, then the suicide attacker has 
committed the same crime." 
 
¶25.  "Terrorism In Islamabad And Karachi: Who Will Protect Innocent 
Citizens?," an editorial in independent liberal Sindhi daily Kawish 
(cir. 105,000) (07/08) 
 
"Blast in Islamabad has left again the people of Pakistan with a 
sense of insecurity and fear.  The government is helpless in 
preventing these attacks. No doubt, the present government has 
inherited this volatile law and order situation; therefore it is not 
justified to force it to improve the state of affairs immediately. 
However, we hope that the government will make an effective strategy 
so that innocent people can live in protected environment." 
 
¶26.  "Shaken By Violence," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/08) 
 
"The fact that militants struck in the capital that has been largely 
spared random bomb attacks, points to the Karzai government further 
losing control over the situation.  The attack on the Indian Embassy 
may again trigger the same old blame game but it will hardly help 
Kabul contain the deepening resentment among its own people against 
increasing civilian casualties in coalition air strikes." 
 
¶27.  "Return Of The Suicide Bomber," an op-ed by Anjum Niaz in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/08) 
 
"Becoming angry, emotional and playing to the galleries is the 
easiest thing for some security analysts.  Instead of attacking 
people like Rehman Malik for having failed to prevent suicide 
attacks, we should be attacking the root of the evil.  No Pakistani 
analyst worth his salt has the guts to blame these people who run 
the camps that train and indoctrinate these youths.  We all know who 
these outfits are but like the NWFP government prefers to zip up 
instead of being bumped off by these crazy people who have 
successfully infiltrated into our environs and have threatened death 
should they be exposed." 
 
¶28.  "Appeal By Eve's Daughter," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) 
(07/08) 
 
"It is unfortunate that our Foreign Office, instead of freeing this 
hapless female prisoner from American beasts [at Bagram Airbase], 
has expressed ignorance about the incident altogether....  What does 
Mian Shahbaz Sharif say about this issue? Can he not ask his 
coalition partners to pay attention to this matter?" 
 
¶29.  "Painful Revelation By British Journalist." an editorial in the 
Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (circ. 10,000) (07/08) 
 
"Even if this Pakistani woman is a criminal in America's view, how 
can the American troops talk about restoring peace in the world 
after subjecting this woman to such torture and inhuman treatment? 
Our national honor was laid to rest the moment we handed over this 
woman to American forces. Yvonne Ridley has presented the facts, it 
is now up to the Pakistan government to talk with U.S. authorities 
and seek her release." 
 
¶30.  "Hapless Pakistani Female Prisoner At Bagram," an editorial in 
the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (07/08) 
 
"The government must formally ask the U.S. to release this hapless 
woman, who has been thrown in the Bagram prison for men and who has 
apparently lost her sanity. We are thankful to Yvonne Ridley who 
felt the pain of a Pakistani woman and came to this country to shake 
us up." 
 
¶31.  "We Know, Mr. Boucher Sir, We Know," an op-ed by Kamran Shafi 
in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily 
"Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/08) 
 
"Don't you lecture us please, sir, on what our problems are.  Also, 
will you kindly desist from telling us to go easy on Musharraf 
because we have 'Other' problems to deal with too, and leave to us 
Pakistanis to decide which of our problems are to be sorted out 
first?" 
 
¶32.  "Aid & Pakistan's Development," an op-ed by Shahid Javed Burki 
in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily 
"Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/08) 
 
"A significant share of the total amount of external capital that 
flowed into Pakistan came from the United States' budget and from 
the institutions over which Washington had considerable influence. 
What lies in Pakistan's future?  Now that the United States is 
developing some misgivings about Pakistan's contribution to the 'war 
on terrorism' there is the possibility that American aid may decline 
once again.  Should that happen, what would be the impact on the 
Pakistani economy?" 
 
Patterson