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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000720 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 06, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports and photographs of a suicide attack at an 
'Imambargah' (Shiite mosque) in Chakwal killing 26 people dominated 
headlines in all newspapers on Monday.  All newspapers highlighted 
reports that U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke is "likely to 
arrive today (Monday)."  Also underscored was the report that the 
freed American UN official "John Solecki arrived in Bagram U.S. 
base."  Several major dailies ran the U.S. Embassy's statement 
welcoming the release of Mr. Solecki.  U.S. President Obama's 
remarks urging all nations to "strive to rid the world of nuclear 
arms" received extensive coverage.  Newspapers also front-paged 
Foreign Minister Qureshi's statement that "Pakistan will neither 
give any blank check, nor will accept it." 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on different facets of terrorism 
including: the suicide attacks, drone strikes, Baitullah Mehsud's 
threats and the release of abducted American national Solecki.  The 
center-right national daily, "The Nation," noted that "Pakistan is 
currently caught in a dangerous spiral where its 'inability' to 
fight the militancy might fall short of the U.S. expectations and 
result in drone attacks being extended far beyond the troubled 
tribal region."  The leading mass circulation Urdu daily, "Jang," 
opined that "there is a strong possibility that if these drone 
attacks continue, it will become impossible for Pakistan to carry on 
the war on terror."  Commenting on the flogging incident in Swat, 
the Lahore-based liberal daily, "Daily Times," observed that 
"despite the nation-wide condemnation, the whipping incident is 
gradually become victim of the national division over terrorism." 
End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Bloodbath In Chakwal Teenager Blows Himself Up At Imambargah; 26 
Killed, Over 40 Injured" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"Twenty-six people were killed and more than 40 others injured when 
a suicide bomber blew himself up in Chakwal's main Imambargah on 
Sunday, causing widespread destruction." 
 
"Malik Sees Foreign Hand In Chakwal Attack" "The News" (04/06) 
 
"Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik said on Sunday 
that the government would announce an anti-terrorism plan soon to 
crush terrorism by taking the nation into confidence.  Talking to 
reporters in Sialkot, he said that foreign hand was behind the 
attack on Imambargah in Chakwal and other terrorism activities." 
 
"Mehsud Claims Credit For Islamabad Carnage" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for 
Saturday's suicide attack on barracks of Frontier Constabulary in 
Islamabad and warned that such attacks will continue. Hakeemullah 
Mehsud, the Deputy Chief of the banned militant organization, told 
'Dawn' on phone that the bombing was carried out to avenge the 
recent drone attack in Orakzai tribal region." 
 
"Taliban Warn Of Suicide Attacks Twice A Week" "Daily Times" 
(04/06) 
 
"The Taliban on Sunday vowed that they would carry out two suicide 
attacks per week in Pakistan.  Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud's 
deputy Hakimullah told AP." 
 
"Holbrooke Likely To Arrive Today" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"When U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan arrives in 
Pakistan this week he will be publicly feted for President Barack 
Obama's pledge of massive, long-term aid for a nation critical of 
America's strategy for turning around the war in Afghanistan. But 
the money doesn't come without conditions, and Pakistan is honing a 
list of questions that highlight significant differences over the 
right way to combat Al Qaeda and its growing band of regional 
allies, officials and analysts say." 
 
"Are We Prepared For Obama Policy In The Region?" "The News" 
(04/06) 
 
"The inter-agency meeting to be held at the Foreign Office on 
Monday, to prepare a strategy for talks with the visiting U.S. 
special envoy Richard Holbrooke, has been cancelled, sources in the 
Interior Ministry confirmed.  Holbrooke is expected to meet 
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday evening and the rest of the 
meetings are scheduled for Tuesday.  As expected, the government 
failed to formulate a strategy where the issue of Afghanistan could 
be discussed by all political and military leaders around one 
table." 
 
"U.S. Admiral Cultivates Pakistani Army Chief" "Daily Times" 
(04/06) 
 
"For the United States, much may be riding on an unlikely 
relationship between America's highest-ranking military officer and 
Pakistan's Army Chief.  Over cups of tea and the occasional cigar, 
the avuncular American admiral and the reserved general talk about 
terrorist threats and sensitive military operations in a region 
President Barack Obama deems the 'central front' in the fight 
against Al Qaeda.  Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
of Staff, said he has gone out of his way to build a rapport with 
his Pakistani counterpart, General Ashfaq Kayani, speaking to him 
regularly and holding 10 face-to-face meetings since November 2007. 
'I'm a big believer that the worst time to try to get to know 
someone is during a crisis, so this constant dialogue I have with 
General Kayani is vital,' said Mullen, responding to questions from 
AFP by email." 
 
"Solecki Arrives In Bagram U.s. Base" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"UNHCR official John Solecki reached the Bagram U.S. airbase in 
Afghanistan on Sunday." 
 
"U.S. Thanks Pakistan For Solecki's Release" "The News" (04/06) 
 
"The government of United States of America thanked the Government 
of Pakistan on the release of John Solecki.  In a press release 
issued in Islamabad on Sunday, it welcomed the release of American 
United Nations worker John Solecki." 
 
"India Meddling In Balochistan: U.S. Journal" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"One of the Most prestigious U.S. journals, 'Foreign Affairs' has 
revealed on impeccable authority that India has been pumping in huge 
amount of money to create unrest in Balochistan and that it has 
direct links with terrorist activities on the soil of Pakistan." 
 
"Recognize Pakistan As N-Power, U.S. Think Tanks Asks Obama" "The 
Nation" (04/06) 
 
"The Obama Administration should encourage the Indo-Pak dialogue, 
including back-channel diplomacy on Kashmir, and acknowledge 
Islamabad's nuclear status, a task force formed by US-based Asia 
Society has suggested in comments which may raise hackles in 
India." 
 
"No Blank Cheque To U.S. Either: FM" "The Nation" (04/06) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday that no 
foreign military boot will step in Pakistan and our own law 
enforcement agencies and paramilitary forces will conduct anti 
terrorism operation inside the country.  Talking to the newsmen in 
Multan, the Foreign Minister said that during his recent visit to 
Washington he conveyed clearly to the U.S. that NATO will not be 
allowed to conduct operation in Pakistan adding that it is not 
acceptable for Pakistan....  Mentioning a statement by U.S. 
President Barack Obama regarding 'No Blank Cheque,' FM said, 
Pakistan will neither give any blank cheque nor will accept it." 
 
"U.S. Seeks Help In Search For 'Moderate Taliban'" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"Pakistan and Afghanistan can help the United States in identifying 
moderate Taliban who are willing to lay down their arms, says U.S. 
National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones.  In an interview to 
'Dawn,' Gen. Jones also stressed the need for greater cooperation 
between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the fight against terrorists." 
 
"U.S. Hopeful Of Turning The Tide In Afghanistan" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"About 17,000 extra U.S. troops headed to Afghanistan would allow 
security forces to begin overcoming the Taliban in the volatile 
south, the top U.S. military commander said in Kabul on Sunday.  'I 
am convinced that the additional military capacity will certainly 
start to allow us to turn the tide in the south where it has not 
gone well,' Admiral Mike Mullen told reporters on a trip to Kabul." 
 
"Swat Girl Gives The Lie To Video Drama" "The News" (04/06) 
 
"Chand Bibi, the young girl who was shown being flogged by the Swat 
Taliban in a videotape aired on television channels, gave a 
statement to a Qazi, or judge, on Sunday, denying the incident. 
Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the NWFP Information Minister, told 'The 
News' that she made the statement to Mohammad Riaz, the judge of the 
Qazi Court for Matta Tehsil, and the commissioner of Malakand 
division, Syed Mohammad Javed, both of whom visited her village, 
Kala Killay, in Kabal Swat district on Sunday." 
 
"SC To Take Up Swat Girl's Flogging Today" "Daily Times" (04/06) 
 
"An eight-member larger bench of the Supreme Court (SC), headed by 
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, will 
today (Monday) take up a suo motu notice on the video footage of a 
17-year-old girl being flogged in public by the Taliban." 
 
"Zardari To Sign Deal Despite Flogging: Hoti" "The News" (04/06) 
 
"NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti says there may be a delay 
but no deadlock on the issue of President Asif Zardari signing the 
Nizam Adl law in Swat." 
 
"Sufi Says Govt. Must Empower Qazi Courts Immediately" "Daily Times" 
(04/06) 
 
"Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad on 
Sunday demanded the government to immediately authorize the Sharia 
courts to hear all cases.  In his address at Galooch area in Kabal 
tehsil, Sufi said the government had not 'fully' empowered the Qazis 
to hear 'major cases.'" 
 
"18 Militants Killed In Mohmand Clash" "Dawn" (04/06) 
 
"Security forces claimed on Sunday to have killed 18 militants in a 
clash in Kana area of Anbar valley of Mohmand tribal region on 
Saturday night.  Officials said another 20 militants were injured in 
the clash in which helicopter gunships were used." 
 
"Girls' School Blown Up In Bannu" "Daily Times" (04/06) 
 
"Unidentified men blew up a girls' school in Jahangir Khel, Bannu in 
the precincts of Miryan Police Station on Sunday." 
 
"Bajaur Women Barred From Acquiring NICs" "The News" (04/06) 
 
"The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Bajaur Agency has 
barred women from acquiring computerized national identity cards 
(CNICs) and receiving financial assistance under the Benazir Income 
Support Program (BISP) as, according to them, it was against Islamic 
teachings." 
 
"Proposed Duty-Free Access: Textile Industry Slams U.S. Conditions" 
"Business Recorder" (04/06) 
 
"Pakistani textile industry is, reportedly, deeply concerned about 
the conditions attached by the U.S. to the proposed duty-free access 
of textiles to be limited to Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) 
located at the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"In A State Of War," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/06) 
 
"U.S. drones raining down missiles on the restive tribal region in 
pursuit of militants on the one hand and suicide bombers blowing 
themselves up at crowded public places and security establishments 
on the other, present a picture of the country at war....  Pakistan 
is currently caught in a dangerous spiral where its 'inability' to 
fight the militancy might fall short of the U.S. expectations and 
result in drone attacks being extended far beyond the troubled 
tribal region. The Americans need to be convinced to dispel the 
perception that our intelligence apparatus is covertly collaborating 
with the militants.  But at the same time the government should also 
put its act together and devise a comprehensive policy to defeat the 
fast spreading scourge." 
 
"Suicide And Drone Attacks," an editorial in the leading mass 
circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (04/06) 
 
"We must keep in mind that the suicide attack at the FC barracks in 
Islamabad took place immediately after the U.S. missile attack in 
North Waziristan.  The first-ever U.S. drone attack in North 
Waziristan demonstrates that the U.S. is expanding its drone attacks 
in this area.  It is a matter of serious concern that the 
terrorists' network is also expanding in the country.  Now it is 
essential that the Government of Pakistan must assume a serious and 
clear policy regarding the U.S. drone attacks, and make realize the 
international community that these strikes are not only creating 
resentment and anger among local community, but also damaging 
Pakistan's integrity, independence and sovereignty." 
 
"Counter-Terrorism In A Divided Land," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (04/06) 
 
"Despite the nation-wide condemnation, the whipping incident is 
gradually becoming victim of the national division over terrorism. 
Are we being killed because we are fighting America's war; or are we 
dying because the terrorists want to take over the country?  The 
media is heavily tilted along with the opposition politicians in 
favor of the first cause. Civil society is being heavily influenced 
by the TV channels and is becoming vulnerable to the rhetoric of 
retired army officers who say terrorism can't be fought and the 
correct policy is to fight the Americans out of Afghanistan instead 
of fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban out of Pakistan.  Terrorism has 
to be fought, if not as terrorism than as a law and order problem. 
 
"U.S. Congressmen's Letter To Obama," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 125,000) (04/06) 
 
"Democratic and Republican Congressmen from Michigan, Ohio, Hawaii, 
California, Wisconsin and other states have written a letter to 
President Barack Obama asking him to reconsider his orders to send 
more troops to Afghanistan....  U.S. Envoy Richard Holbrooke and 
Admiral Mike Mullen are to present new demands in their Islamabad 
visit today.  Pakistan's problems would increase manifold even if 
one of the demands was accepted.  They want Pakistan and America to 
jointly wage a war in Afghanistan and FATA and destroy 
themselves....  In the light of Congressmen's letter to President 
Obama, Government of Pakistan too should adopt strong stance before 
the American officials and tell them that peace in Afghanistan and 
Pakistan hinges on withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan." 
 
"Uniting To Kill Baitullah Mehsud," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/06) 
 
"The Americans have likely agreed to cooperate on Mehsud after twice 
ignoring precise triangulation of Mehsud's movement by Pakistan. 
The earlier American policy of letting Mehsud wreak havoc in 
Pakistan was flawed....  What Baitullah Mehsud is doing together 
with his master organisation Al Qaeda is global terrorism.  If he is 
killing Pakistanis today, tomorrow he will be killing others all 
over the world.  Pakistan can tackle him but lacks the technological 
capacity and funds to prepare itself for the job." 
 
"Terrorism's Tentacles," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (04/06) 
 
"Mehsud has proved to be elusive for the U.S. intelligence and 
security officials so far.  He has been taking hostage soldiers and 
threatened to behead them.  The tribesmen had grown so bold that 
they had asked the security forces to withdraw forces from areas 
inhabited by the Mehsud tribesmen after negotiations led to the 
release of kidnapped FC personnel.  The actions of Mehsud have also 
put the frail peace process between the government and the TTP in 
danger of collapsing....  This is a very critical juncture in the 
war on terror and Pakistan's internal security situation.  Some 
sections of the Taliban seem to have grown bolder and stronger but 
we should also keep the fact in view that peace deals brought at 
least a semblance of peace and calm in the troubled areas.  Military 
action or peace deals?  Perhaps a careful combination of the two 
will produce some results." 
 
"Free At Last," an editorial in the center-right national English 
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/06) 
 
"It is matter of great relief that he (Solecki) is free at last 
after being kept as hostage for 61 days.  With the country already 
facing a mounting challenge of militancy one would expect internal 
grievances not to spill over to violence or kidnapping that would 
create more problems for the country." 
 
"For How Long This Game Of Death And Destruction Will Continue?," an 
editorial note in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily 
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (04/06) 
 
"The government, political parties, civic representatives, NGOs and 
the media raised hue and cry over the phony footage of the flogging 
incident in Swat.  It seems that Pakistan's electronic media and the 
liberal elements of the society were dancing to the U.S. tune to 
divert attention from the drone attacks.  On the contrary, neither 
the Government, nor the political parties, or any of the NGOs are 
paying heed to the U.S. drone attacks and the resulted deaths of 
dozens of innocent women, girls and others in border areas." 
 
"The Video That Shook Pakistan," an op-ed by Syed Mansoor Hussain in 
the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (04/07) 
 
"An important point, however, is that there does exist a 
considerable undertow of sympathy for Taliban-style justice in the 
hearts if not the minds of many Pakistanis.  This is because of a 
lack of access to justice and an abiding sense of helplessness that 
ordinary people feel when confronted by a high handed and frequently 
uncaring bureaucracy, a corrupted legal system and an equally 
corrupt but entirely ineffectual police force." 
 
"The Real Battle," an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/06) 
 
"As to how we should deal with those who subject those who do not 
share their version of the Sharia to lashes and beheadings, the 
answer is, take them on and defeat them.  Obviously, given the 
character of the enemy, the fight will be one in which no quarter is 
asked and none given....  The Taliban are counting on the fact that 
the peoples of the areas which presently constitute Pakistan will, 
when it comes to confronting invaders, surrender.  The Taliban take 
heart from the fact, that though battle has not yet been joined in 
earnest, Pakistan has already surrendered in Swat and FATA." 
 
"No One Left To Protest For Me," an op-ed by Rauf Klasra in the 
leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) 
(04/06) 
 
"There was a time some years back when Taliban used to drag some 
women in the street of Afghanistan and put them to death publically. 
 And our establishment and its intellectuals considered them 
(Taliban) as Pakistan's strategic assets, and fulfilled their every 
fair or foul demand in the larger national interest.  Now there is 
no public execution or flogging in Afghanistan, as same is happening 
in our own Swat, and our own people are committing this crime. 
President Zardari, PM Gilani, ANP leader Asfandyar Wali and the 
military establishment are to blame for this inhuman incident, as 
they very easily handed over a big state of Pakistan to these guys 
(Taliban)." 
 
"Urban Terrorism And State Response," an op-ed by Shahzad Chaudhry 
in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" 
(cir. 10,000) (04/06) 
 
"The most strategic thing to do now for the military establishment 
is to state in unambiguous terms its clear divorce from past 
policies. More specifically, the following needs to be done.  Ask 
the Americans to fill up the existing deficiencies: airlift 
capacity, night-combat capability, modern communications, new 
methodologies in net-centric warfare enabling detection of threat 
and response on almost near real-time basis." 
 
"Pak Remains A Target Despite Change In U.S.," an op-ed by M. Ashraf 
Mirza in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan 
Observer" (cir. 5,000) (04/06) 
 
"Peace will prevail in the region only after the vacation of US 
occupation of Afghanistan.  And in that will also lie the end of 
terrorism and militancy.  Obama's equation of Pakistan with 
Afghanistan is also unjust and unwarranted and has rightly evoked 
strong reaction from Prime Minister Yusuf Reza Gilani, who termed 
the U.S. President's insinuations as 'unfair.'" 
 
"Bury Al Qaeda Ghost," an op-ed by Iftekhar A. Khan in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(04/06) 
 
"Wrapping defeat in euphemism, Bush in his last year in office had 
said: 'We are not winning war in Afghanistan.' Obama has inherited 
Bush's losing war.  Instead of reappraising the past strategy to 
determine the causes of failure, he has decided to inject more 
troops.  Quite erroneously, he thinks troop surge will help NATO 
forces to gain control, without realizing that it will in fact cause 
an upsurge in resistance.  More exposure of troops will result in 
more killing on both sides.  Troops can never control popular 
uprising of the people....  U.S. war against Taliban and Al-Qaeda 
has triggered a class war and anti-Americanism." 
 
"The 'Contact Group': India And Iran," an op-ed by Gen. (R) Mirza 
Aslam Beg in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" 
(cir. 20,000) (04/06) 
 
"The Americans are now trying to woo Iran and make them partners 
with India, as the 'Contact Group' to help establish American power 
and influence in the region....  It is essentially Sunni in outlook, 
and belongs to Pakistan, as much as to Afghanistan, as a factor of 
unity. The Americans want the Shia Crescent to be pitched against it 
and India has emerged as the willing partner to accomplish the 
mission." 
 
"Big Numbers," an editorial in the centrist national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/06) 
 
"The money that will - eventually - come to us courtesy of the 
Kerry-Lugar bill has nothing to do with the G-20; that is America 
investing in its own regional interests....  For the rest of the 
G-20 outcomes it is not going to have an immediate impact on us 
directly, but an indirect impact as the global economy recovers." 
 
"The Problem With Aid," an op-ed by Huma Yusuf in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(04/06) 
 
"Many in the corridors of power must be fretting about the 
indefinite postponement of the hearing for the Kerry-Lugar bill, 
which seeks $1.5bn per year in non-military aid for Pakistan.... 
The Pakistan government should learn from these initiatives and take 
advantage of the delay in the Kerry-Lugar bill to implement a system 
that can make the delivery of development aid transparent....  As 
conditions across Pakistan worsen, such an open commitment would be 
a step in the right direction." 
Patterson