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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000813 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: APRIL 17, 2009 
 
Summary:  The Pakistan Muslim League-N's decision turning down PM 
Gilani's offer to rejoin the federal cabinet dominated headlines in 
all newspapers on Friday.  All newspapers highlighted reports that 
"Japan would provide up to $1 billion to Pakistan" to support its 
economic reforms and counter-terrorism efforts.  Reports on the 
release of former Red Mosque cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz also received 
prominent display.  All major dailies reported that "Ambassador 
Patterson would lead a high-powered delegation of Pakistani 
entrepreneurs to the U.S."  Newspapers highlighted reports that the 
Foreign Office "downplayed" growing international concerns over 
Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, and described this reaction as "hasty."  ISI 
Chief Lt. Gen. Pasha's U.S. visit garnered extensive coverage. 
Major dailies underlined reports that the "CIA and ISI have agreed 
to develop working relations for combating terrorism." 
 
The precarious security situation of Pakistan continued to grab 
attention of the editorialists and op-ed writers.  Commenting on the 
recent "Charsadda carnage," the central national daily, "The News," 
raise question that "if such killings are to continue, we must ask 
what purpose the Nizam-i-Adl enforced in Malakand serves."  The 
Lahore-based liberal daily, "Daily Times," observed that "in the 
coming days, the Taliban will institutionalize their presence and 
convert the region adjoin Swat into a satrapy completely insulated 
from the rest of Pakistan."  The country's premier business 
newspaper, "Business Recorder," opined that "given relentless 
terrorism that has literally forced us as a nation on our knees, 
ours is a far more deserving case for a comprehensive anti-terror 
strategy and a dedicated department at the center."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Sharif Reject Offer To Join Coalition" "Dawn" (04/17) 
 
"The Pakistan Muslim League-N has turned down the prime minister's 
offer to rejoin the federal cabinet, but held out an assurance that 
it will not create problems for the PPP-led government.  Former 
prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif told a press conference on Thursday 
his party wanted to see the government complete its tenure." 
 
"Japan To Provide Up To $1 Billion Aid To Pakistan" "Dawn" (04/17) 
 
"Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said on Thursday his country would 
provide up to $1 billion to Pakistan to support its economic reforms 
and counter-terrorism efforts, while addressing newsmen after 
holding wide-ranging talks with President Asif Ali Zardari." 
 
"Zardari Urges A 'Marshall Plan' For Pakistan" "Dawn" (04/17) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari called on Thursday for a major aid drive 
like the Marshall Plan to fight poverty and militancy in his 
country, writing in a newspaper on the eve of a major meeting of 
donors in Tokyo.  President Zardari stressed in Japan Times article 
that his government was determined to fight militants but said it 
needed an aid and reconstruction program similar to the U.S. 
Marshall Plan for post-World War II Europe." 
 
"Lal Masjid Cleric Vows Not To Seek Revenge" "Dawn" (04/17) 
 
"The former Khateeb of Lal Masjid, Maulana Abdul Aziz, was released 
on Thursday reportedly under a 'deal' and he announced that he would 
not seek revenge on former president Gen. (R) Pervez Musharraf who 
has been accused of killing hundreds of students of the seminary 
attached to the Lal Masjid in a military operation in October 
2007." 
 
"High-Powered Delegation Of Pakistani Entrepreneurs To Visit U.S." 
"Dawn, "Pakistan Observer," "Business Recorder" (04/17) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson has said that her Embassy will 
try to enhance people-people contacts between Pakistan and the 
United States to project the true image of Pakistan.  Speaking at a 
reception for businessmen and journalists at her resident on 
Thursday the Ambassador said that there was need to project a soft 
image of Pakistan.  Earlier, Ms. Patterson announced that she would 
lead a delegation of Pakistani entrepreneurs to the U.S. from April 
22 to 24." 
 
"FO Downplays Concerns Over Swat Adl Regulation" "Dawn" (04/17) 
 
"The Foreign Office has downplayed growing international concerns 
over Nizam-i-Adl Regulation and described world capitals' reaction 
as hasty.  'We view the apprehensions in this regard as premature,' 
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly media 
briefing on Thursday." 
 
"ISI, CIA Agree To Combat Terror" "The News" (04/17) 
 
"Lt. Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha, Director General of Inter-Services 
Intelligence (ISI), has left Washington DC for Islamabad after a 
hectic 24 hours of meetings with the U.S. officials, while the CIA 
and the ISI have agreed to develop working relations for combating 
terrorism, sources said." 
 
"Reservations About Nizam-e-Adl Regulation; CM Remarks Pushed John 
Kerry On Back Foot" "The News" (04/17) 
 
"'I'm a nationalist and the interest of my people and my province 
come first' were the remarks that pushed the visiting U.S. Senator 
John Kerry on the back foot during his recent meeting with NWFP 
Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti.  The remarks came when the US 
delegation, led by Senator Kerry, who is also the head of U.S. 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, just sat down for a discussion 
on a host of issues at the Chief Minister's House on Tuesday.  A 
well-placed source told The News that neither Senator Kerry nor any 
other member of the delegation thrashed out the Nizam-e-Adl 
Regulation 2009 in the meeting after the candid comment by the Chief 
Minister." 
 
"Nizam-e-Adl Will Take Swat Back To 'Dark Ages': HRW" "Daily Times" 
(04/17) 
 
"Human Rights Watch urged Pakistan to reverse its decision to 
enforce Sharia in Swat in a peace pact with the Taliban, saying the 
deal threatens women and takes the region back to the 'Dark Ages.' 
The New York-based rights group said the government's move amounted 
to granting the Taliban 'de-facto administrative control of the Swat 
Valley' and 'presents a grave threat to the rights of women and 
other basic rights in the troubled region.'" 
 
"Rallies Staged To Back Nizam-e-Adl" "The News" (04/17) 
 
"Hundreds of people staged a rally in Mingora on Thursday in favor 
of the NWFP government for enforcing Nizam-e-Adl Regulation and 
flayed Muttahida Qaumi Movement for opposing the same." 
 
"Pakistan For Total End To N-Weapons" "The News" (04/17) 
 
"Pakistan has stressed the need for total elimination of nuclear 
weapons and said that this objective can be achieved through an 
equitable approach and genuine empathy for security concerns of all 
states." 
 
"Pakistan To Move Int'l Court Against India On Water Issue" "The 
News" (04/17) 
 
"Pakistan has decided to inform India about its intention to move 
the International Court of Arbitration and the neutral expert 
against diversion of Neelum River water to Wullar barrage and faulty 
design of the Kishanganga hydropower project and the faulty design 
of the project respectively." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Charsadda Carnage," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/17) 
 
"If such killings are to continue, we must ask what purpose the 
Nizam-e-Adl enforced in Malakand serves.  It seems learning lessons 
once is not quite enough.  We have seen many times in the past that 
reaching accords with militants has no impact on the task of 
creating stability or ending fear.  In fact these accords increase 
instability, with militants taking advantage of them to regroup and 
renew their efforts to subvert the state." 
 
"Price Of Swat Peace," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/17) 
 
"But we can be sure of one thing.  The state will be punished for 
having allowed terrorist elements to rule Swat.  In the coming days, 
the Taliban will institutionalize their presence and convert the 
region adjoining Swat into a satrapy completely insulated from the 
rest of Pakistan.  The consequences of that will be predictably 
destructive for the state of Pakistan." 
 
"Face To Face With Terrorism," an editorial in the country's premier 
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (04/17) 
 
"Taliban say they would retain their arms and verdicts of Qazi 
courts cannot be challenged in higher courts of Pakistan.  What else 
then is the so-called a state within state?  But that's not the end 
of their mission; media reports emit unmistakable signals that 
Talibanization is on the march....  Unfortunately, however, not much 
appears being done in terms of evolving an overarching strategy to 
meet the growing challenge of Talibanization.  Given relentless 
terrorism that has literally forced us as a nation on our knees, 
ours is a far more deserving case for a comprehensive anti-terror 
strategy and a dedicated department at the Centre." 
 
"Terror And Punjab," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/17) 
 
"It is often said that militants in Punjab's south and elsewhere in 
the province are exclusively committed to Jihad in Kashmir that 
under no circumstances, are they to leave their brief and switch to 
other wars being raged in the name of religion.  The question is: 
what do they do when they are not or cannot be in Kashmir?  There 
are obviously no guarantees that these trained hands won't be 
pressed into service in pursuance of another holy cause." 
 
"Charsadda Suicide Attack: A Conspiracy To Fail The Nizam-i-Adl," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/17) 
 
"There could be involvement of RAW and certain invisible hands [in 
the Charsadda blast] as they want the Nizam-i-Adl regulation to 
fail. Those elements whose interests have been harmed by the 
implementation of Nizam-i-Adl are capable of doing anything in order 
to achieve their objective. " 
 
"Suicide attack on police post" an editorial note in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/17) 
 
"While Ulema belonging to different schools of thought have declared 
suicide attacks as forbidden, it is very unfortunate that those who 
prepare individuals to become suicide bombers also call themselves 
'Ulema' and pride themselves on this deed.  We urge all respected 
Ulema to form a committee and together with their right-thinking 
colleagues in NWFP, they should raise public awareness against 
suicide attacks." 
 
"Charsadda Blast: Uncover The Perpetrators," an editorial in liberal 
Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/17) 
 
"It is the intelligence agencies' responsibility to uproot 
anti-public elements and uncover elements and their sponsors whose 
existence depends upon spreading unrest.  It is also known that the 
U.S. has been opposing such [peace] deals; carrying out such 
conspiracies would not be new for it.  Even earlier, it provoked the 
tribal people by carrying out strikes when the Swat and Waziristan 
deals were signed.  Any investigation [of Charsadda attack] must not 
ignore this angle." 
 
"Game, Set And Match," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/17) 
 
"The day that our parliamentarians voted for the Nizam-e-Adl 
Regulation 2009 was the day that the Taliban won and all they have 
to do now is go and pick up their prizes....  A reasoned and 
objective analysis can now be made to the effect that Pakistan is 
moving towards being a Taliban-controlled state; and the movement 
towards that position is gathering momentum.  Our friends and allies 
can see this and are becoming jittery themselves...." 
 
"Peace In Doldrums," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/17) 
"TTP spokesman Muslim Khan's statement that the Taliban would not 
surrender arms is bound to send alarm bells ringing.  To many in 
this country, this would amounts to a clear violation of the 
promises made prior to the signing of the deal.  His statement that 
the TTP would shift the arena of struggle to other parts of the 
country now is equally disturbing, as this amounts to dictating 
policies to the state at gunpoint." 
 
"Implementation of Justice: Responsibility Of Sufi Muhammad And The 
Government," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/17) 
 
"Maulana Sufi Muhammad and his allies must now avoid making 
statements which give anti-Pakistan and anti-Islam elements an 
opportunity for propaganda.  When it is agreed in the deal that no 
one will keep unlicensed weapons and all will abide by the state 
laws what is the justification for the Taliban's announcement that 
they do not recognize the Constitution and that all Muslims have the 
right to bear weapons.  Similarly, the announcement to spread 
Taliban control to other areas also creates doubts. Hence, it is now 
the responsibility of Sufi Muhammad, Maulana Fazlullah and their 
allies not only to fulfill their responsibility for peace, but also 
to convince the Taliban to surrender unlicensed arms and to abide by 
laws of the state." 
 
"All Problems Can Be Resolved by Parliament," an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(04/17) 
 
"We believe that implementation of Nizam-i-Adl regulation by our 
government is a bold and commendable step keeping in view the strong 
opposition of the U.S. on this issue.  Presently this was the only 
option available to the government and there was no alternative.... 
One thing has become quite clear that if our government wants to do, 
it can dispel external pressures to protect the national interests." 
 
 
"Nizami-i-Adl In Malakand Division," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/17) 
 
"There has been mixed reaction to the implementation of Nizam-i-Adl 
regulation.  But what is now necessary is for Maulana Sufi Muhammad 
and his allies to cooperate in making this successful, because many 
difficulties will arise if peace is not restored.  However, all 
objections by Washington and Kabul would be rendered weightless if 
peace is established, no unpleasant incident of any sort happens; 
and people bearing arms do not act on their whims." 
 
"The Taliban: Contained Or Unleashed?," an op-ed by Najmuddin A. 
Shaikh in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily 
Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/17) 
 
"Now we are told that the Taliban will not surrender their arms 
until they have determined that the Nizam-e Adl has been 
implemented.  This, it appears, is a determination that only the 
Taliban are competent to make....  Meanwhile, the crimes committed 
by the militants, many of them criminals, will be forgotten.  How 
this will be in accord with Sharia law only Sufi Mohammad can tell 
us." 
 
"Politics As A Redundant Superstructure," an op-ed by Shafqat 
Mahmood in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (04/17) 
 
"This pervasive fear of creeping Talibanization is not surprisingly, 
the main topic of conversation at social gatherings these days.  I 
have never in recent memory heard so many people talk of finding 
safe havens abroad.  Those that have already acquired citizenship in 
some western country, and there are many among the elite who have, 
are looked at with envy.  Those who were not so astute are now 
trolling the internet to search for ways to get out....  It is not 
so much the Nizam-e-Adl itself that is bothersome to people....  The 
real disappointment is that the Pakistani state, its institutions 
and its political forces have caved in so quickly." 
 
"Wages Of Fear And Appeasement," an op-ed by Ayaz Amir in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/17) 
 
"When a state and its military forces mentally reconcile themselves 
to defeat, one can only mourn the event.  There is nothing left to 
say.  It's not that we don't recognize what has just happened or 
what the ANP government in the Frontier and the federal government 
in Islamabad, backed by the National Assembly, have just agreed 
to....  But we are trying to put a gloss on it and are putting 
forward all sorts of justifications - that there was no way out and 
that signing the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation will bring lasting peace to 
Swat and its environs - but in our heart of hearts we know that, our 
courage having fled and no vision worth the name to guide us, we 
have acquiesced in a great act of surrender." 
 
"The Swat Agreement," an op-ed by M.A. Niazi in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/17) 
 
"That (Nizam-e-Adl) happened while Pakistan was being visited by the 
sponsor in Congress of the enhancement of U.S. aid to Pakistan, 
since the timing of the implementation was purely in the hands of 
the President, and while he set a new precedent by referring the 
Regulation to Parliament, even though he didn't have to, it is a 
fairly logical conclusion that President Asif Zardari wanted the 
international community, well, the U.S., to know that he promulgated 
the Regulation under the pressure of Parliament.  His need to 
distance himself from the Regulation was probably explained by the 
unfavorable reaction of the Obama Administration, which seemed to 
feel that the Regulation meant that human rights would now be 
violated in Swat....  The state is still primarily concerned with 
American aid, and the rigmarole of presenting the Regulation to 
Parliament, was followed to convince the USA that the government was 
functioning in difficult conditions. Thus the bringing of peace to 
Malakand Division was not the purpose so much as ensuring the flow 
of dollars." 
 
"Beyond The 'Original Sin'," an op-ed by Ayesha Siddiqa in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (04/17) 
 
"In today's Pakistan, the common man listens to the religious right 
and the militants because there is no one out there willing to 
challenge the interpretation presented by the religious and 
political right.  Since we do not investigate issues pertaining to 
religion, there is no point looking at that route....  If things 
continue this way, it won't be too far when our liberal elite will 
have to escape to the rest of the world, just like the Afghan elite 
did during the 1990s." 
 
"I Want My Country Back," an op-ed by Sehar Tariq in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/17) 
 
"The Parliament by endorsing the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR) has 
heralded the end of Pakistan as I knew and loved it.  Today, the 
elected representatives of the people turned Pakistan into 
Talibanization.  Today we handed over a part of the country to them. 
 I wonder how much longer before we surrender it all.  Today we 
legislated that a group of criminals would be in charge of governing 
and dispensing justice in a part of Pakistan according to their own 
obscurantist views....  A law that does not apply equally to all men 
and women is not worthy of being called a law....  Taliban is an 
insult to my Pakistan.  I want my country back." 
 
"Pakistan Challenge And U.S.," an op- by Syed Ali Zafar in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(04/17) 
 
"The world will however support Pakistan only up to a limit and 
there are certain conditionalities which must be applied to us for 
our own good.  A welcome and dramatic change in dispensation of 
economic and military aid from the U.S. is that this time 
procedures, checks and balances will be put into place to see that 
money is spent for the people....  U.S. has decided to play a more 
positive role in building up Pakistan's relationship with India and 
Afghanistan which too augurs well for the future." 
 
"Mock War And Fake Heroes," an op-ed by Imdad Soomro in Hyderabad 
based liberal and independent Sindhi Daily "Ibrat" (Cir. 80,000) 
(04/17) 
 
"It is unfortunate that opposing Taliban is considered as supporting 
the U.S. agenda. Nawaz Sharif exploited civil society to fulfill his 
own agenda, now can civil society get him on board for protecting 
civil liberties and women rights?  Will civil society come out from 
their ivory tower?  Late Benazir Bhutto did not stand just for 
hoisting flag at Chief Justice's residence, she was a liberal and 
secular voice.  Will those who claimed to realize her vision come 
out in streets again?" 
 
"Friends Of Pakistan Meeting: Hopes And Fears," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (04/17) 
 
"In the past, whenever IMF, World Bank and the U.S. have provided 
aid to Pakistan, they compelled Pakistan to agree to the attached 
conditions as well.  The humiliating conditions Obama administration 
has attached to the Kerry-Lugar bill are still echoing.  We hope 
that the Friends of Pakistan will provide unconditional assistance 
to Pakistan and will not try to influence Pakistan's policies in 
return." 
Patterson