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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000935 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 01, 2009 
 
Summary:  All Newspapers highlighted reports that "security forces 
gained control over Ambela heights after overcoming tough 
resistance" from militants in Buner.  Newspapers reported that the 
Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) "dismissed as unfounded fears 
about Pakistan's strategic assets falling into wrong hands." 
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Petraeus' remarks that the "next two weeks 
are critical to determining whether the Pakistani government will 
survive" received prominent display.  Some major dailies highlighted 
a U.S. counterterrorism report which noted that "Pakistan continued 
to suffer from rising militancy and extremism in 2008."  Today all 
mainstream newspapers highlighted President Obama's remarks about 
Pakistan that he made during a prime-time news conference in 
Washington. (PAS has drafted a Special Media Cable today to cater 
this coverage.) 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on the simmering tension and the 
bloody ethnic violence in the port city - Karachi.  The center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" observed that "events reported 
on Thursday indicate that the ongoing violence is spreading to new 
areas, and is assuming new and portentous dimensions."  The 
Islamabad-based daily "Pakistan Observer" editorialized that "some 
hidden hands have opened a new front in Karachi, clearly in an 
attempt to put more pressure on the Government and the law enforcing 
agencies."  The mass circulation Urdu daily, "Jang," noted that 
"growing militancy in Malakand has necessitated military operation 
in the area.  Security situation in Waziristan is also volatile. 
Enduring peace in those areas is directly linked with tranquility in 
the business capital of Pakistan, Karachi."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Troops Wrest Key Heights From Buner Militants" "Dawn" (05/01) 
 
"Security forces killed another 14 militants during their operation 
in Buner on Thursday, gained control over the Ambela heights after 
overcoming tough resistance and secured about half of the eight 
kms-long Ambela pass after clearing three militant positions. 
Military spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told a press conference that 
the operation was making good progress and militants' hideouts were 
being attacked with all available resources." 
 
"Taliban Holding People In Sultanwas Hostage" "The News" (05/01) 
 
"Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj-Gen 
Athar Abbas on Thursday said security around Daggar was increased to 
provide more security to the area people and to facilitate linkage 
to the ground forces.  The ISPR D.G. said the militants were still 
holding positions at Sultanwas and Pir Baba.  'People of Sultanwas 
are under great distress and have been held hostage, as they are not 
being allowed to move out of the area.'" 
 
"N-Assets Under Robust Custodial Control: JCSC" "Dawn" (05/01) 
 
"The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) on Thursday dismissed as 
unfounded fears about Pakistan's strategic assets falling into wrong 
hands.  A meeting of the committee presided over by its Chairman 
General Tariq Majid expressed full confidence in the robust 
custodial controls and multi-layered arrangements put in place to 
ensure fail-safe security of the assets." 
 
"Next Two Weeks Critical To Pak Government's Survival: Petraeus" 
"Daily Times" (05/01) 
 
"Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. David Petraeus has 
told U.S. officials the next two weeks are 'critical to determining 
whether the Pakistani government will survive.' FOX News reported on 
Thursday.  'The Pakistanis have run out of excuses ... [and are] 
finally getting serious' about combating the threat from the Taliban 
and Al Qaeda, said the general." 
 
"N-Program Faces 35 pc Cut, Scientists Upset" "The News" (05/01) 
 
"Pakistan's nuclear program is facing severe financial cuts, badly 
hampering some core classified projects, it is learned.  A source 
told 'The News' that several development programs of the Pakistan 
Atomic Energy Commission, including some classified ones, have been 
slowed down and some even halted as the government has imposed an 
unprecedented squeeze.  The classified side of the PAEC development 
budget saw a cut of almost 35 per cent while for the open 
development programs only 15 per cent of the budget has been 
released, thus affecting more than 30 projects. The source said that 
senior nuclear scientists and those holding key positions in the 
country's nuclear program apparatus were extremely upset with the 
situation and fear that the cut would badly damage the nuclear 
program and would tantamount to a quiet unannounced rollback." 
 
"Pakistan Continues To Suffer From Extremism, Says U.S. Report" 
"Dawn" (05/01) 
 
"Pakistan continued to suffer from rising militancy and extremism in 
2008 and the United States remained concerned that FATA was a safe 
haven for terrorists, says a U.S. counter-terrorism report released 
on Thursday.  Besides Al Qaeda, Afghan insurgents and terrorists 
associated with other groups were also operating from FATA, the 
report added.  The report noted that international terrorist 
organizations, including Al Qaeda and its supporters, continued to 
operate and carry out attacks in Pakistan." 
 
"U.S. To Boost Training Of Pakistani Forces" "The News" (05/01) 
 
"The United States and Pakistan will likely discuss stepping up U.S. 
training for Pakistani security forces when President Asif Ali 
Zardari visits Washington next week, a U.S. official said in 
Washington on Thursday." 
 
"Hillary Seeks $497 Million For Pakistan" "Dawn" (05/01) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asked Congress on Thursday 
to approve $497 million of emergency funds for Pakistan.  In her 
opening remarks before the Senate Appropriations Committee, 
Secretary Clinton also said that a bill to triple U.S. assistance to 
Pakistan - $1.5 billion for a period of five years - would be 
presented in the U.S. Senate in a few days." 
 
"Gates Urges Congress To Approve Aid To Pakistan Fast" "Daily Times" 
(05/01) 
 
"U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday pressed Congress to 
quickly approve $83.4 billion for aid to Pakistan and for the wars 
in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Gates told lawmakers that money used to 
support Pakistan could run out by mid-May and some funds for other 
operations could start running out in July.  'I urge you to take up 
this bill and pass it as quickly as possible, but not later than 
Memorial Day (May 25),' Gates told the Senate Appropriations 
Committee, which is considering the Obama administration's 
request." 
 
"Pentagon Argues For Flexibility On Pak Aid" "The News" (05/01) 
 
"Warning that any stringent conditions attached to the U.S. aid for 
Pakistan would be counterproductive, top Pentagon officials asked 
Congress on Wednesday to be flexible in a proposed legislation that 
would significantly expand economic and security assistance for the 
key anti-terrorism partner in South Asia.  Appearing before the 
House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, senior officials 
including Michele Flournoy, Under-Secretary of Defense for Policy, 
underscored the importance of bolstering Pakistan's 
counterinsurgency capability for enforcing security in the region 
bordering Afghanistan." 
 
"'Capacity Gaps' Hampering War Against Terrorism: FO" "Dawn" 
(05/01) 
 
"Pakistan said on Thursday its fight against extremism and terrorism 
was being hampered by 'capacity gaps' and regretted that the West 
was not helping it to meet the deficiencies.  'As far as our 
capacity is concerned, obviously there are gaps. For instance, we 
face shortage of helicopters as well as night vision equipment,' 
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly media 
briefing.  He said: 'We have been making approaches not only to the 
U.S. but to other major countries as well for the provision of the 
required equipment to counter terrorism and violent extremism.'" 
 
"People Run For Their Lives As Operation Continues In Dir" "The 
News" (05/01) 
 
"The people of Maidan area of Lower Dir district continued to leave 
their homes for safer places as the security forces continued 
targeting the suspected hideouts of militants with gunship choppers 
and artillery on Thursday." 
 
"Taliban Destroy FC Camp, Seize Arms" "Dawn" (05/01) 
 
"Militants blew up a camp of the Frontier Constabulary and took away 
weapons, while jets and helicopters continued heavy bombing on their 
suspected positions in different parts of Buner district on 
Thursday." 
 
"Nizam-e-Adl In Two Days, Says ANP" "Daily Times" (05/01) 
 
"Senior ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak announced on Thursday that the 
provincial government would enforce the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in 
Malakand division within two days." 
 
"NWFP Govt. May Unilaterally Set Up Darul Qaza In Malakand" "The 
News" (05/01) 
 
"The NWFP government is set to unilaterally announce the 
establishment of the Darul Qaza in the Malakand division if Tehrik 
Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) Chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad 
continues to ignore its requests for a meeting, while addressing a 
news conference in Peshawar on Thursday, NWFP Information Minister 
Mian Iftikhar Hussain said." 
 
"U.S. Copters Violate Pak Airspace" "The News" (05/01) 
 
"The United States gunship helicopters violated the Pakistan's 
airspace by intruding deep into Khyber Agency on Thursday, an 
official of political administration confirmed." 
 
"U.S. Drone Attacks On Pakistan Fuel Anti-West Feeling: French 
Envoy" "The News" (05/01) 
 
"The French Ambassador to Pakistan, Daneil Jouanneau, has said that 
the drone attacks are unacceptable as they kill innocent people 
besides fuelling anti-western and anti-U.S. feelings in the region, 
said Daneil Jouanneau while talking to journalists in Quetta the 
other day." 
 
"Diplomat Urges U.S., Britain To Plug Arms Smuggling Routes On 
Pak-Afghan border" "Dawn" (05/01) 
 
"Every day some 70,000 to 75,000 Afghans cross over the Durand Line 
into Pakistan, they all look alike and every one of them could be 
mistaken for a Taliban but they enter our country without let or 
hindrance on either side of the border, claimed Pakistan's Deputy 
High Commissioner Asif Durrani.  He was speaking at a panel 
discussion on 'Pakistan and Afghanistan: Strategies for the future', 
organized by National Union of Pakistani Students & Alumni (NUPSA) 
at the London School of Economics on Wednesday evening.  He was 
highly critical of the West and the U.S. for turning a blind eye on 
the drug menace which he said was actually funding the Taliban war 
efforts." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Things Falling Apart," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/01) 
 
"Events reported on Thursday indicate that the ongoing violence is 
spreading to new areas, and is assuming new and portentous 
dimensions....  Meanwhile, Washington continues to add to the 
country's manifold problems.  There was yet another drone attack in 
South Waziristan on Wednesday, killing 10....  The attacks spread 
hatred and foil Pakistan's attempts to isolate the Taliban and Al 
Qaeda." 
 
"Who Plans To Open Karachi Front?," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (05/01) 
 
"As if happenings in FATA, Malakand Division and Balochistan were 
not enough, some hidden hands have opened a new front in Karachi, 
clearly in an attempt to put more pressure on the Government and the 
law enforcing agencies....  It is not clear who engineered the 
tension at this critical time but there can be no two opinions that 
E 
those behind the plan are definitely enemies of the country....  One 
fails to understand what land mafia wants to achieve by creating 
city-wide trouble and how it has become so powerful to disrupt the 
normal life....  It is ironical rather shameful that the Government 
has become helpless before mafia of different sorts." 
 
"All Parties Must Sit Together To Restore Peace In Karachi," an 
editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" 
(cir. 300,000) (05/01) 
 
"Growing militancy in Malakand has necessitated military operation 
in the area.  Security situation in Waziristan is also volatile. 
Enduring peace in those areas is directly linked with tranquility in 
the business capital of Pakistan, Karachi.  If disturbance continued 
in the metropolis, it will become almost impossible for the 
government to control security situation in insurgency-hit parts of 
the country." 
 
"Karachi Violence," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English 
daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (05/01) 
 
"It seems that this is a conspiracy to create unrest in the country, 
as already the Taliban are challenging the writ of the state in 
Malakand and other tribal areas.  At the time when the whole country 
is facing a civil war-like situation, the violence in Karachi is a 
conspiracy to create problems not only for the country but also for 
the people." 
 
"State within A State," an editorial in the centrist national 
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/01) 
 
"Over the past weeks it has become obvious the Taliban are engaged 
in a game of plunder.  This too is how they inspire desperate young 
men to join them.  The motive is base greed and not religious zeal." 
 
 
"Life Comes To Standstill In Karachi; Little Help More Demands," an 
editorial in Hyderabad based liberal and independent daily "Kawish" 
(Cir. 105,000) (05/01) 
 
"Peace, people, security, and even the law are hostage to the 
terrorists and their deadly weapons.  Government knows very well as 
who is behind these violent acts, but political expediency and 
administrative limitations do not permit them to take any effective 
action.  We urge government to fulfill its responsibility of 
protecting the lives of people in the city." 
 
"Ethnic Violence In Karachi," an editorial in the popular rightist 
Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (05/01) 
 
"It seems that it is a deliberate attempt to create law and order 
situation in Karachi, as Pakistan cannot stand turmoil following 
unrest in FATA, Balochistan and Swat.  People of Pakistan look 
forward that the government will deal with the miscreants and 
arsonists in Karachi sternly." 
 
"Latest Conspiracy Against Pashtoon In Karachi," an editorial in the 
Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (05/01) 
 
"Those people who are aware of the past history of Karachi, know 
that the current violence is a wicked plan to expel Pashtoon 
community from Karachi and destroy their possessions.  And MQM was 
planning for this scheme for quite some time.  Its (MQM's) recent 
hue and cry of the so-called 'Talibanization' threat in Karachi was 
a part of that plan to defame Pashtoon people who are living in 
Karachi.  Perhaps, they (MQM) feel threatened with the growing 
economic power of the Pashtoon community." 
 
"Violence In Karachi And Administrative Insensitivity," an editorial 
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (05/01) 
 
"Violence in Karachi shows that the writ of the government does not 
exist there and that anyone who wants, can take the law in their 
hands....  If the government machinery does not bring the ongoing 
violence under control immediately, this fire may spread to other 
areas.  NWFP, FATA and the tribal areas are already up in flames, 
God help this country if the Karachi riots spread to other parts of 
the country." 
"Concrete Steps Needed To Restore Peace," an editorial in liberal 
Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/01) 
 
"Poverty and unemployment are a time bomb for  Karachi, similarly, 
if the government keeps other basic issues in mind only then will we 
be able to return Karachi its  lost identity of being a 
mini-Pakistan [with various ethnicities]." 
 
"Karachi Blows Up Again," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (05/01) 
 
"The possibility of someone hiring criminals to do drive-by 
motorcycle killings cannot be ruled out, but all signs and tokens in 
Wednesday's killing spree point to the persisting tensions between 
the MQM on the one hand and the ANP and the PPP on the other." 
 
"Make Sincere Efforts To Solve The Balochistan Issue," an editorial 
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (05/01) 
 
"It is unfortunate that bowing to U.S. wishes, the army and the 
government have embroiled themselves in Swat and the Tribal areas. 
And perhaps this is what the U.S.-India-Israel axis of evil 
wants.... How grave the situation in Balochistan is can be judged 
from the Governor Magsi's statements and PPP Balochistan Chief 
Lashkari Raisani's resignation.  Hence the government must 
immediately call an all parties conference and plan the 
implementation of recommendations by the national leaders made 
earlier to meet the just demands of Baloch people." 
 
"Solve Issues Through Talks, Not Bullets," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (05/01) 
 
"Problems are not solved through bullets.  The people of 
Balochistan, Swat and the tribal areas have been deprived of their 
basic rights for a long time.  They need basic amenities, economic 
progress and better lives. There will be unrest as long as these 
rights are deprived to them." 
 
"Withdrawing Troops From Eastern Border," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (05/01) 
 
"The troops taken from the western border to counter the perceived 
threat from India have now been returned to its earlier position. 
The U.S. and the U.K. are endeavoring to convince Pakistan that 
India is not involved as much in terrorism in Pakistan as it thinks. 
 Even after the production of 'evidence' of Indian interference, the 
reaction from the U.S. is that Pakistan has not proved its case." 
 
"Biden's Misperception," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/01) 
 
"He (Biden) wrongly attributes Pakistan's perception of India as 
being a cultural hang-up.  However, Pakistan cannot ignore the facts 
on the ground that keep reminding it of India's continued hostility. 
 New Delhi has consistently tried to frustrate Islamabad's attempts 
at settlement of disputes and forge some kind of an equation to 
achieve a measure of good-neighborliness....  If the Americans want 
its wholeheartedly attention to defeat the militants, they would 
have to view the scenario dispassionately and not pander to the 
Indian wishes." 
 
"Afghanistan: The Mother Of All Militancy," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (05/01) 
 
"Taliban have gained enough strength and support among the local 
population that they control almost entire countryside restricting 
the writ of the puppet government and occupation forces to major 
cities and military bases.  It is becoming more and more clear that 
while U.S. waged war in Afghanistan temporarily dislodged Taliban 
government but it has not necessarily defeated them and also could 
not liberate the people there....  If the U.S. is genuinely 
interested to bring an end to terrorism and extremism, it must draw 
up an exit strategy from Afghanistan, the mother of militancy, so 
that no ground was left with the Taliban to take up arms or indulge 
in violent activities." 
"Who Will Teach The Army The Virtues Of The Long Haul?," an op-ed by 
Ayaz Amir in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (05/01) 
 
"We are as abrupt with our peace deals as with our military 
operations.  Into both we plunge hastily and, more often than not, 
unthinkingly....  Talibanism is not a surface disease.  It is rooted 
in history, missed opportunities and repeated bouts of folly.  It is 
not going to go away or be defeated by quick-fix military actions - 
actions which wax and wane as the moon does.  This struggle requires 
nothing less than a revamping of the way we have been running, or 
rather mismanaging, Pakistan.  It requires a change in our basic 
thinking....  We either rise to the challenge we face by reinventing 
Pakistan.  Or we remain the way we are, waiting resignedly for 
whatever awaits us." 
 
"Dangerous Games," an op-ed by Dr. Masooda Bano in the centrist 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/01) 
 
"How the Taliban can keep taking over districts of NWFP without some 
systematic support is difficult to understand.  These swings between 
giving in completely as done in Swat and then following with 
military operations that kill 50 (with no accountability of who they 
were) in Buner is a perfect recipe for disaster.  The PPP government 
has to answer why it is following such a dangerous strategy." 
 
"Taking Back Buner And Dir," an op-ed by Najmuddin A Shaikh in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (05/01) 
 
"The point is that Buner and Lower Dir do indicate that the penny 
has dropped for all power centers in Pakistan and they are 
determined to fight this menace with all the means at their 
disposal.  The army, hopefully, will not stop its operation until it 
has disarmed the Taliban.  But to be able to continue this 
operation, the army and the government will need public support and 
for that the media has to play a far more constructive role than it 
has been inclined to play so far." 
 
"The Confused State," an op-ed by Ejaz Haider in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (05/01) 
 
"Interestingly, while we have decided to go round in circles on the 
issue of how the state should respond to the internal threat, the 
Taliban are very clear on the issue of effective control and 
sovereignty.  They tell the state that carrying weapons is their 
Islamic right, and we nod.  But why is it that in areas under their 
control they would not allow anyone but their cadres to carry 
weapons; or allow anyone to do anything without their express 
approval?...  Simply, they know that governance, to be effective, 
needs complete control of territory and population.  They do not 
have to bear the cross of those nuances that weigh down 
liberal-democrats and liberal democracies....  They have learnt it 
by fighting the state; a state that still refuses to accept the 
danger it faces." 
 
"It's Too Much Now," an op-ed by Yasir Ali Khan in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (05/01) 
 
"The success percentage of the U.S. predator strikes thus comes to 
not more than six percent.  Despite doing more than enough 
Washington still is asking Islamabad to 'do more' to dismantle the 
terrorists safe havens operating on its soil....  Can America 'who 
claims to be champion of democracy' or Taliban 'who claims to be 
protector of our religion' tell who has won 'what' or who has lost 
'what' in this bloodbath?  Can they answer that who will compensate 
to those thousands of innocent Pakistani civilian who died in this 
mayhem?  What would make happy to those families who lost their kids 
and kins?" 
Feierstein