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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001001 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 11, 2009 
 
Summary:  The security forces' claim of killing 200 militants in 
Swat and Shangla districts dominated headlines in all newspapers on 
Monday.  Also highlighted, was a report stating that "tens of 
thousands of people streamed out of conflict zone."  Several major 
dailies underlined President Zardari's statement "strongly 
rejecting" the notion that Pakistan might collapse, and "calling" 
for international efforts to fight Islamic extremism.  CENTCOM Chief 
General Petraeus' remarks that the "growing Taliban insurgency in 
Pakistan has galvanized the nuclear armed country to fight an 
'existential threat'" received extensive coverage.  Reports of a 
fierce clash in restive Mohmand Agency killing 26 militants were 
also highlighted. 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on various aspects of the current 
military onslaught against the Taliban, and its far-reaching 
consequences including a massive displacement of local people.  The 
center-right national English daily "The Nation," advised that 
"while tackling the growing insurgency, the government need not to 
lose the focus of taking appropriate measures for the rehabilitation 
of the millions of internally displaced persons that has turned out 
to be a serious humanitarian crisis."  The center-right Urdu daily 
"Pakistan," observed that "in order to manage the refugee situation, 
all political and religious parties and the civil society need to 
show the same spirit they did in the wake of the 2005 earthquake." 
The Peshawar-based English daily "The Frontier Post," observed that 
the exodus "would eventually turn into the worst-ever humanitarian 
calamity in our annals too if existing faltering relief action is 
not revamped and pepped up forthwith."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"180 Perish In Operation; Swat, Shangla Militants Bear The Brunt" 
"The News" (05/11) 
 
"Security forces on Sunday claimed to have killed 180-200 militants 
in Swat and Shangla districts during the last 24 hours, while five 
militants were killed in the Maidan area of Dir Lower.  Also, three 
civilians were killed in strafing by gunship helicopters and a 
paramilitary soldier was shot dead by militants in Malakand Agency, 
the ISPR said." 
 
"Panicked People Leave Swat, Dir And Malakand During Curfew Break; 
100,000 Stream Out Of Conflict Zone" "Dawn" "(05/11) 
 
"Tens of thousands of people streamed out of Swat, Dir and Malakand 
districts during a relaxation in curfew on Sunday morning.... 
Taliban still control Mingora with armed groups patrolling the 
streets and holding positions on rooftops. Militants entered houses 
vacated by local people and turned them into bunkers....  'My 
information is that more than 100,000 people managed to leave Swat 
during the curfew break on Sunday,' said Forestry Minister Wajid 
Ali, who is a lawmaker from Mingora." 
 
"Zardari Laughs Off Country's Collapse Notion" "The News" (05/11) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari, in an interview aired on Sunday, 
strongly rejected the notion that Pakistan might collapse and called 
for international efforts to fight extremism.  "Is the state of 
Pakistan going to collapse?" Zardari asked himself rhetorically on 
NBC's 'Meet the Press' program. 'No.  We are 180 million people. 
There the population is much, much more than the insurgents are.'" 
 
"U.S. Aid With Conditions Opposed; Pakistan Not Adding To Its 
Nuclear Arsenal: Zardari" "Dawn" "(05/11) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan is not adding to 
its nuclear arsenal and doesn't have to inform the United States 
about location of its weapons, he said in NBC's 'Meet the Press' 
program on Sunday....  President Zardari said that U.S. assistance 
shouldn't come with conditions." 
 
"Pakistan 'Galvanized' To Fight Taliban: Petraeus" "The Nation" 
(05/11) 
 
"U.S. regional commander General David Petraeus on Sunday expressed 
confidence that Pakistan's nuclear sites are secure from any 
attempted seizure by the Taliban.  'We have confidence in their 
security procedures,' the Chief of U.S. Central Command told the 
'Fox News Sunday' program when asked about Pakistan's nuclear 
safeguards as the Taliban make deep inroads.  The growing Taliban 
insurgency in Pakistan has galvanized the nuclear-armed country to 
fight an 'existential threat,' the top U.S. Commander for the 
Afghan-Pakistan war theatre said." 
 
"26 Taliban Killed In Mohmand Clash" "Dawn" "(05/11) 
 
"In a fierce gun-battle in Ambar valley of Mohmand region on Sunday, 
security forces killed 26 Taliban militants and injured 12, a press 
release of the Frontier Corps said in Peshawar." 
 
"Parliamentary Approval For Operation In Swat Likely" "Dawn" 
"(05/11) 
 
"As the National Assembly begins a special session on Monday, the 
government seems set to win the first parliamentary approval for a 
renewed war against barbaric rebels in the country's northwest after 
the failure of a controversial peace deal." 
 
"Plea For People's Support" "Dawn" "(05/11) 
 
"The military is making a passionate and fervent appeal to the brave 
and patriotic citizens of Swat that they should stand up and declare 
a war against the miscreants who have undermined peace and stability 
of the scenic valley, says a press release issued by the Swat Media 
Centre." 
 
"Taliban Cannot Overrun Pakistan, Says Haqqani" "The News" (05/11) 
 
"Pakistan's ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani has said 
the Taliban are limited geographically and do not have the ability 
to overrun the state.  He told the American viewers in an interview 
with the CNN that economic development and bolstering Islamabad's 
counter-insurgency capability could effectively stem the 
Talibanization.  The envoy called for understanding the Taliban 
challenges in the right perspective." 
 
"Absence Of NGOs Being Felt In Relief Work" "The News" (05/11) 
 
"Though thousands of kind-hearted individuals and families have 
extended support to the violence-affected people of Malakand, yet 
the absence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the relief 
operation has been greatly felt." 
 
"Serious Housing Shortage In Mardan For IDPs" "The News" (05/11) 
 
"With a huge influx of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) owing 
to military operation in Malakand and Buner, the district Mardan now 
lacks buildings for accommodation.  An NGO activist, identified as 
Siraj Muhammad of Takhtbhai tehsil, told 'The News.'" 
 
"Sufi Accuses Govt. Of Violating Peace Accord" "The News" (05/11) 
 
"Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad 
on Sunday alleged that the government had twice violated the Swat 
peace agreement by launching the military operation and displacing 
thousands of innocent people in the Malakand division.  In a 
statement issued here, he said that they had no ill-intention but 
wanted the implementation of Shariah in the Malakand division in 
toto." 
 
"No Contact With Sufi Since Operation Began" "Daily Times" (05/11) 
 
"The Awami National Party (ANP) on Sunday said it had temporarily 
stopped communicating with Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi 
(TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad until the military concludes its 
operation against the Taliban, ANP Information Secretary Zahid Khan 
told 'Daily Times." 
 
"JI Amir Predicts 'Big Jihad' Against U.S." "Dawn" (05/11) 
 
"Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Amir Syed Munawar Hasan has predicted armed 
struggle against United States in the days to come, while speaking 
at a 'Go-America-Go' rally in Lahore on Sunday.  Fearing that the 
United States would soon announce invasion of Pakistan on the excuse 
that Pak Army had failed to eliminate terrorists' bases in the 
country, Munawwar urged the people to step up their efforts to 
safeguarding solidarity and nuclear program of the country and 
pushing the Americans back into Afghanistan." 
 
"Qureshi Announces Creation Of Pak-American Foundation" "Dawn" 
(05/11) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced in Washington on 
Saturday the creation of a first ever umbrella organisation of the 
Pakistani diaspora, the Pak-American Foundation.  Representatives of 
some 90 political, social, cultural and economic organizations and 
human rights activists attended a meeting which was chaired by Mr. 
Qureshi and attended by U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson, 
Pakistan's UN Ambassador Husain Haroon and Ambassador to the U.S. 
Husain Haqqani." 
 
"Pak-U.S. Naval Exercise" "Pakistan Observer" (05/11) 
 
"The U.S. and Pakistani Naval forces are conducting bilateral 
exercise code named 'INSPIRED UNION' and 'INSPIRED RESPONSE' from 
May 10 to 20.  An ISPR (Navy) press release issued in Karachi on 
Sunday said that these exercises are a yearly feature meant to 
enhance interoperability between the two Naval Forces and improve 
security in maritime domain." 
 
"EU Plans Summit To Help Strengthen Pakistan Government" "Dawn" 
(05/11) 
 
"The European Union plans to hold the bloc's first ever summit with 
Pakistan in June to 'help strengthen the civilian government' there, 
an EU presidency source said." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"U.S. Embassy Clarifies," a letter to the Editor by U.S. Charge 
d'Affaires, Feierstein, in the centrist national English daily "The 
News" (cir. 55,000) (05/10) 
 
"Once again, we at the U.S. Embassy note untruthful and 
irresponsible reporting concerning the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui in 
a report titled "Saga of Aafia's unending torment in NY jail" (May 
7).  The truth is never served by sensationalism; we believe your 
readers, as fair-minded and critical thinkers, deserve better, and 
we are equally troubled by the complete failure on the part of your 
reporter to solicit comment from U.S. government sources.... 
Grossly unsubstantiated allegations continue to be reported as 
'fact'.  Allegations that Dr. Siddiqui has been in custody at the 
Bagram Theatre Internment Facility in Afghanistan are completely 
erroneous. Ms Siddiqui was never in U.S. custody, either at the 
Bagram Theatre Internment Facility or elsewhere, prior to her 
detention by the Afghan police in Afghanistan on July 17, 2008.  On 
July 18, 2008, she was wounded while attempting to kill US personnel 
who had come to interview her." 
 
"Battle For Survival," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/11) 
 
"There is no doubt that the latest military offensive against 
insurgents has been launched with greater public backing than the 
previous two actions conducted before the signing of the peace 
accord.  But while tackling the growing insurgency, the government 
need not lose the focus of taking appropriate measures for the 
rehabilitation of the millions of internally displaced persons that 
has turned out to be a serious humanitarian crisis.  The government 
should ensure proper management of resources, funds and manpower to 
make their stay in the camps as comfortable as possible.  Donor 
agencies and foreign governments should also be approached to extend 
help." 
 
"Military Operation And The Rehabilitation Of Affectees," an 
editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) 
(05/11) 
 
"Despite U.S. assistance, the government cannot support the large 
number of IDPs. In order to manage the refugee situation, all 
political and religious parties and the civil society need to show 
the same spirit they did in the wake of the 2005 earthquake....  As 
far as  the Ulema and religious leaders are concerned, if they have 
the courage to play a role in reconciliation [between the government 
and TNSM/Taliban] they must do something practical and convince the 
Taliban to lay down their arms." 
 
"Relief In Disarray," an editorial in the Peshawar-based, 
independent regional daily "The Frontier Post" (cir. 7,000) (05/11) 
 
"A powerful action is needed quickly to make up on the neglect of 
caring for the displaced so far.  Their exodus is mounting 
enormously with every passing day, having all the making of the 
biggest-ever populace of the internally displaced in the country. 
This would eventually turn into the worst-ever humanitarian calamity 
in our annals too if existing faltering relief action is not 
revamped and pepped up forthwith." 
 
"We May Be Defeated By Refugee Camps," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (05/11) 
 
"Unfortunately, Pakistan has once again been found standing dazed 
with its pants down before a population of refugees.  The so-called 
'national consensus' against the Taliban is not total, but it is 
quite broad and inclusive.  The plight of the refugee camps will not 
only strengthen the Taliban, it will erode the national consensus 
too.  No major politician has visited the refugee camps as they 
painfully come into existence." 
 
"President Zardari And The Swat Operation: Strange Logic Of Not 
Feeling A Threat From India," an editorial in the second-largest, 
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) 
(05/11) 
 
"Unfortunately, even the opposition, especially the PML-N is silent 
over U.S. demands, especially on not feeling any threat from India, 
and praise over withdrawal of troops from the eastern border.  This 
means that the opposition too has accepted the U.S. concept of 
Indian supremacy.  Meanwhile, the government is ready to accept all 
humiliating U.S. conditions for aid just to meet its expenses. 
Starting the Swat operation during President Zardari's presence in 
the U.S. is proof of this.  In these circumstances, the parliament 
and the nation should exert pressure on the government not only to 
safeguard national interests but also the country's security and 
sovereignty." 
 
"Responsibilities Of International Community, Government About IDPs 
Of Malakand," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language 
daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (05/11) 
 
"The government will have to launch a global campaign to raise funds 
for the IDPs of Malakand Division and other adjoining areas.  It 
must tell the U.S. and other countries that the present state of 
affairs owes to the Pakistan's position as the frontline state in 
the war on terror.  Therefore, the international community is 
duty-bound to help Pakistan immediately instead of making sheer 
announcement." 
 
"Rehabilitation Of IDPs Needs Attention Too," an editorial in the 
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" 
(cir. 150,000) (05/11) 
 
"The government, NGOs and human rights institutions must all play 
their role in rehabilitation of the displaced persons.  Are citizens 
being turned into refugees in their own homeland.  If the military 
operation has not so far succeeded in establishing durable peace, 
what is the justification for continuing it?" 
 
"Cabinet's Ratification Of The Swat Operation," an editorial in 
Lahore-based populist Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (05/11) 
 
"Now that the government has finally decided to conduct an operation 
in Swat and the Cabinet has ratified it also, the nation should also 
support the government fully so that it can achieve its target and 
the situation in the country improves.  Simultaneously, the 
rehabilitation of displaced persons must be given full attention so 
that they can join the national mainstream and are once again able 
to work for the country's progress." 
 
"Prime Minister's instructions on Security," Little Help more 
demands," an editorial in Hyderabad based liberal and independent 
daily "Kawish" (Cir. 105,000) (05/11) 
 
"Following the Federal Cabinet's sanction for the military 
operation, the government needs to take the security situation very 
seriously, as usual raising the threat levels, and declaring 
high-alerts won't work.  What is more important is that the people 
who are migrating from the conflict zone must be monitored 
vigilantly, so that terrorists may not sneak into other areas in the 
garb of IDPs to spread destruction there." 
 
"Cabinet Endorses Military Operation In Malakand Division," an 
editorial in the Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu 
daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) (05/11) 
 
"Although the Federal Cabinet has approved the military operation in 
Malakand Division, one should not fail to remember the causes of 
this crisis that has its roots in the U.S. incursion into 
Afghanistan which resulted in massive destruction. This crisis is 
created by the U.S. that is an anti-Muslim and Islam power. Our 
enemies have been trying to instigate Pakistani people against their 
own army, create rift between Pakistani nation and its armed forces 
as that will make their job much easier." 
 
"Religious Schools' Issue Should Be Get Resolved In Consultation 
With Scholars," an editorial in the leading mass circulation 
centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (05/11) 
 
"Some political circles believe that the President Zardari's 
remarks, particularly about taking the religious schools into the 
government's control are the upshot the U.S. pressure....  As far as 
the reforms of the seminaries are concerned, no religious school has 
ever declined to do so, neither they ever opposed the idea. 
However, the government should take all schools of thoughts into 
confidence before introducing any reforms or changes in the syllabus 
to make them productive.  And any government's move to enforce its 
one-sided and arbitrary agenda on seminaries will be unfortunate and 
counterproductive." 
 
"Reports Of Taking Seminaries Into Government Control," an editorial 
in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 
15,000) (05/11) 
 
"Whenever Pakistani rulers visit the U.S., they always announce to 
accelerate the war against terrorism, and to take hold of the 
religious schools.  Any attempt to take the religious schools into 
the government's control on the pretext of uprising in the tribal 
areas and NWFP will be a folly.  The religious schools have nothing 
to do with this unrest, and most of the self-styled Taliban have 
received education in modern contemporary schools." 
 
"Madarassa Matters," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/11) 
 
"The fact is that madressahs have proliferated because the public 
education system has collapsed....  In such circumstances, 
Madarassas which also offer shelter and meals, offer the only viable 
alternative for many families.  Reforms must also be aimed at 
reviving public-sector education." 
 
"Funding Terror," an editorial in the centrist national English 
daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/11) 
 
"Scant attention has thus far been paid to how the Taliban and some 
other extremist groups fund their operations.  The 'traditional' 
picture is that there is a global network of informal funders and 
sympathizers, as well as at least two large state players in the 
Muslim world.  Yet a picture is now emerging which tells a very 
different story as to how these groups get their money and sustain 
themselves - with three natural resources namely gemstones, timber 
and marble featuring strongly....  It is not possible to put a 
definitive figure on how much the Taliban are making from their 
excursion into economic activity, but the government estimates that 
it is losing 65 billion rupees annually from the illegal timber 
trade and indiscriminate deforestation alone.  Not all of this will 
be going to the Taliban, but whatever they make from the gem and 
marble business, will.  Once again, they have demonstrated an 
ability to adopt and adapt, to profit from the weaknesses of the 
civil administration and get the most out of the lands they now 
control. Underestimating their abilities is a mistake we all lose 
by." 
 
"Afghan Transit Trade: It Is Against National Security," an 
editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 
55,000) (05/11) 
 
"The U.S. that is determined to make India a regional policeman, 
wants to get access for India to the Central Asian Republics as well 
as Afghanistan via the Afghan Transit Trade.  Keeping in view the 60 
years track record of Pakistan-India relations, this Transit Trade 
is not consistent with the Pakistan's national security." 
 
"Remembering The Ghosts Of May 12," an op-ed by Kamal Siddiqi in the 
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/11) 
 
"This is an unconventional war for which our army has neither 
experience nor training.  That is why Mr. Mullen and his merry men 
are making frequent stopovers here - the need for help is dire.  But 
do the Americans have something to teach us or are they too also 
clueless?...  The American aid that we are being promised is a mixed 
blessing.  It gives the government, known for its free spending 
ways, more money in the till....  In all this, we hope to see light 
at the end of the tunnel. But despite the optimism that our 
President seems to gush, it is a question of our government taking 
charge and responsibility." 
 
"Are You With Us Or Against Us, Mr. Obama?," an op-ed by Talat 
Farooq in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (05/11) 
 
"We are beginning to understand that both the American way of life 
and the Taliban value system are incompatible with our 
socio-cultural standards.  The civil society of Pakistan must come 
forward and demand that our decision makers find home-grown 
solutions to indigenous issues instead of surrendering to either the 
rhetoric of the Americans or the blackmail of the Taliban.  It is 
time to sift reality from mere perception and work toward a society 
that depicts the aspirations of the common men and women of 
Pakistan." 
 
"The New U.S. Narrative," an op-ed by Ahmad Faruqui in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (05/11) 
 
"There is the option of sending U.S. commandos into Pakistan.  If 
the operation now being carried out by the Pakistani Army is 
successful, this option may remain on the backburner.  However, 
given the serious tone of the comments coming from Washington, it 
would be naove to think that it will always stay there.  The only 
way to stop the U.S. commandos from waging war on Pakistani soil is 
for the Pakistani Army to eliminate the militants." 
 
"Military Operation In Swat," an op-ed by M. Ashraf Mirza in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (05/11) 
 
"There is no reason for us to be overjoyed at the meager funds doled 
out to Pakistan during Mr. Zardari's visit to Washington.  It's a 
peanut as compared to the losses suffered by it as a result of the 
U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and for what Pakistan has contributed 
towards the U.S. war on terror and has offered sacrifices in the 
process.  Pakistan needs the military and economic tools to defeat 
the militants, whose elimination is the need of hour for not only 
the South Asian region, but for the whole world.  It's, therefore, 
pertinent that the U.S. must meet all its requirements to achieve 
the desired results in the war on terror." 
 
"Post-Operation Scenario," an op-ed by Anusha Ramzi in the 
Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (05/11) 
 
"To express solidarity with the displaced persons, the NGOs, civil 
society organizations and political parties should send their 
delegations to visit the refugee camps.  Right thinking Ulema should 
also visit those camps to tell the people that what militants are 
doing is against the teachings of Islam and inspire them to never 
bow down to the imposters who raise the banner of Islam to denigrate 
it through their barbaric methods, bullying, killing and maiming 
their Muslim brethren.  Armed with the trust and confidence, these 
people in the camps would prove a great asset and in future they 
will stand up and fight the enemies of Pakistan and Islam." 
 
"Talibanization & Identity Crisis," an op-ed by Huma Yusuf in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (05/11) 
"Indeed, understanding the paralysis of civil society in the face of 
the Taliban onslaught lies at the heart of the identity crisis that 
Pakistan has faced since its inception.  Many Pakistanis direct 
their outrage at the government.... For many, the government and the 
army's lack of vision in dealing with the Taliban has been the top 
com plaint....  On the other hand, in some civic circles, the major 
concern is that the government and army have failed to protect basic 
human rights....  Worryingly, there are also those civil groups who 
are reluctant to have religious overtones cloud their anti-Taliban 
protests.  But can you speak out against the Taliban without, at 
some level, speaking about religion?  If complaints against the 
government, military and Taliban weren't enough, many Pakistanis are 
also organizing around the America factor.  Cooperation with the 
U.S. in the war against terror has long been framed as a test of 
Pakistani sovereignty.  As a result, Pakistanis are torn about what 
level of intervention they're willing to live with." 
 
"Mobilizing The Nation," an op-ed by Talat Masood in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/11) 
 
"In counterinsurgency operations it is generally experienced that 
militants are spread out and fairly decentralized, can shift from 
one battlefield to another and can operate independently. 
Experience from different insurgencies has shown that in fighting 
militants we have to adapt to the changing dynamic and not remain 
fixated with traditional centralized command structures....  If we 
are clear that terrorism and militancy is our problem and we have to 
combat it then it is much easier to own the war and solicit the 
support of the people." 
 
"Not A Failed State," an op-ed by Rifaat Hamid Ghani in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (05/11) 
 
"Perhaps the most worrisome aspect of any crisis in Pakistan is the 
fact that the government does not inspire enough public confidence 
or even that much positive expectation....  At present we have a 
failed government not a failed state.  Rather than assume that we 
have exhausted our democratic political alternatives or permit 
civil/military fascism to become our execrable lot we need recourse 
to fresh elections.  They are an expensive business.  But the cost 
of civil disarray is higher." 
Patterson