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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001748 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 30, 2009 
Summary:  Newspapers on Thursday gave prominence to reports that 
former President Musharraf "ignored Supreme Court's notice to defend 
his action of imposing state of emergency on November 3, 2007." 
All newspapers also highlighted Indian Prime Minister Singh's 
 
statement that the "two nuclear powers have to trust each other or 
risk war."  Prime Minister Gilani's remarks that "any strings to aid 
would be unfair" received prominent coverage.  Several major dailies 
reported that the "U.S. denounced the international response to 
Pakistan's humanitarian crisis (IDPs) as inadequate."  Newspapers 
highlighted report that a "U.S. judge found Aafia (Siddiqui) fit to 
stand trial," on charges of attempting to kill American soldiers and 
FBI agents in Afghanistan. 
 
Most major newspapers ran editorials on U.S. Special Envoy 
Holbrooke's recent remarks on Taliban funding, and insufficient aid 
for Swat IDPs.  Commenting on the subject, the prestigious English 
daily, "Dawn," raised a question that "who sells them (Taliban) such 
sophisticated arms as rocket launchers and landmines and modern 
electronic communication gadgetry - and why?"  The Lahore-based 
liberal English newspaper, "Daily Times," noted that the "fact is 
that the insurgency is very likely to have multiple sources of 
funding, not just one."  However, another liberal Urdu daily 
"Express," underlined the "need to increase assistance to Pakistan, 
because it is fighting alone as a frontline ally in the war on 
terror."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Musharraf Ignores Notice As SC Continues Hearing" "Dawn" (07/30) 
 
"The Supreme Court went ahead with its hearing on the judges' case 
on Wednesday as former President Pervez Musharraf ignored its notice 
to defend his decision to impose emergency on November 3, 2007, in 
person or through a lawyer." 
 
"Pakistan, India Need to Build Trust: Singh" "Daily Times," "Dawn" 
(07/30) 
 
"Defending the Sharm El-Sheikh joint statement between India and 
Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday asserted 
the two nuclear powers have to trust each other or risk war. Dr. 
Singh told opposition leaders that his government needed no lessons 
in managing ties with Pakistan, whose stability was vital to India's 
progress." 
 
"Strings To Pak Aid Will Be Unfair: Gilani" "The News" (07/30) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday asked the 
international community to help Pakistan at this difficult juncture 
rather than creating hurdles in its way, as it was playing a major 
role as frontline state in the war against terror.  In response to a 
question regarding the strings attached with the Kerry-Lugar bill, 
the Prime Minister said any strings to aid would be unfair." 
 
"U.S. Denounces Paltry Aid To Pakistan" "The News" (07/30) 
 
"The United States on Wednesday denounced the international response 
to Pakistan's humanitarian crisis as inadequate, with a senator 
saying that Gulf Arab States should contribute more, Assistant 
Secretary of State Eric Schwartz told a congressional hearing." 
 
"U.S. Judge Finds Aafia Fit To Stand Trial" "The News" (07/30) 
 
"Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistan neuroscientist accused of 
attempting to kill American soldiers and FBI agents in Afghanistan, 
has been found competent to stand trial by a U.S. judge in New York 
City.  The judge, Richard Berman of United States District Court, 
said on Wednesday that Ms. Siddiqi 'had a rational as well as a 
factual understanding of the proceedings against her' and could 
assist her lawyers with her defence.  He set a trial date for 
October 19." 
 
"Accord With Tajikistan To Stop Supply Of Illegal Arms" "Dawn" 
(07/30) 
 
"Pakistan and Tajikistan pledged on Wednesday to intensify their 
efforts to curb militancy.  President Asif Zardari said he would 
work with President Emomali Rakhmon to stem the flow of weapons and 
ammunition to militants.  The Tajik leader urged President Zardari 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to work in close cooperation to prevent instability in Central Asia. 
 The two states 'condemn terrorism and extremism in all their forms 
and manifestations and express their readiness to cooperate closely, 
bilaterally in combating these twin threats', said a memorandum 
signed by the leaders." 
 
"Taliban Kill MPA's Relative In Shangla" "The News" (07/30) 
 
"An anti-Taliban elder Haji Khalil and cousin of an MPA Fazlullah 
and relative of PML-Q NWFP chapter President Amir Muqam, who had 
supported the military operation against the militants, was killed 
and his son was injured when suspected militants stormed their home 
in Shangla district on Wednesday." 
 
"NWFP Orders Removal Of Afghan Prayer Leaders" "Daily Times" 
(07/30) 
 
"The NWFP government has ordered the Malakand administration to stop 
Afghan nationals serving as prayers leaders in different districts 
of the division from continuing their activities.  A special cabinet 
meeting on law and order decided that all mosques should have local 
residents as prayer leaders." 
 
"Three Militants Killed In Waziristan" "Dawn" (07/30) 
 
"Three militants were killed and four paramilitary soldier injured 
during an exchange of fire in Dosali area of North Waziristan on 
Wednesday." 
 
"Three Injured In FC Fire After Military Convoy Attacked" "The News" 
(07/30) 
 
 
"Three persons, including two Khasadars and a pedestrian, were 
injured on Wednesday when Frontier Corps personnel opened fire after 
their convoy was targeted by a remote-controlled bomb blast in 
Sadukhel area of Khyber Agency." 
 
"Four Terrorists Killed, 21 Held In Swat" "The News" (07/30) 
 
"As many as four terrorists were killed, 21 others apprehended while 
one militant surrendered before the security forces during clearance 
and search operation in different parts of Malakand division, 
according to ISPR's updates issued on Wednesday." 
 
"20 Suspected Terrorists Arrested" "The News" (07/30) 
 
"At least 20 suspects including five Afghans have been arrested from 
different cities of Punjab, according to sources." 
 
"Usama, Deputy May Be In FATA: U.K. Envoy" "The Nation" (07/30) 
 
"The U.K. High Commissioner Robert Brinkley has expressed 
apprehension that Al Qaeda's leader Usama bin Laden and his second 
in command Al-Zawahri might be hiding in the tribal areas of 
Pakistan, while talking to media in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
"U.K. HC's Claim Of Al Qaeda Leaders' Presence Baseless: FO" "The 
News" (07/30) 
 
"Pakistan has said the claim made by British High Commissioner that 
Usama, Mullah Omar and Al-Zawahri were present in Pakistan was 
baseless, adding action will be taken in this respect if solid 
evidence is provided.  Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in 
his exclusive chat with Online on Wednesday." 
 
"U.S. Reaches Out To Second Tier Of Taliban Leaders" "Dawn" (07/30) 
 
"As part of a new strategy, the United States and its NATO allies in 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Afghanistan are trying to reach out to the second tier of the 
Taliban leadership, while continuing to use military force to tame 
or eliminate the hardcore.  Gen Stanley McChrystal, the new U.S. 
commander in Afghanistan, provided some insight into the new 
strategy in an interview published on Wednesday." 
 
"Taliban Divided On New Code Of Conduct" "The News" (07/30) 
 
"Although there were differences among militants operating in 
Pakistan, the issuance of a new code of conduct by the Afghan 
Taliban Movement has further deepened the existing differences, 'The 
News' learned in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
"U.S. Looks For 8th Member Of North Carolina Group" "The News" 
(07/30) 
 
"The U.S. federal authorities are looking for an eighth alleged 
member of a North Carolina group, who, according to U.S. 
prosecutors, travelled to Pakistan in October 2008 for plotting 
'violent Jihad' overseas, prosecutors said on Tuesday." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Funds For The Taliban," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(07/30) 
 
"Cutting off funding from abroad is a challenge because it is 
obvious that pro-Taliban elements do not use normal banking channels 
to transfer money....  Tackling this is a ticklish job....  The task 
is to scrutinize all transactions, as is humanly possible, and nab 
sympathizers of the terrorists.  This, of course, requires 
coordination with the security agencies in the Gulf countries.  For 
some mysterious reason, however, while we continue to hear about 
Taliban funding nobody seems to focus on the sources of arms for the 
militants.  They have money, agreed, but who sells them such 
sophisticated arms as rocket launchers and landmines and modern 
electronic communication gadgetry - and why?" 
 
"Mystery Of Taliban Funds," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (07/30) 
 
"The fact is that the insurgency is very likely to have multiple 
sources of funding, not just one....  One cannot ignore the 'income' 
the Taliban count on through criminal activities.  Not only do they 
allow criminal groups to kidnap people for huge ransoms, they levy 
their own taxes and 'protection money' in the areas where they have 
replaced the writ of the state....  Opposition to the Taliban among 
the local influential groups in Pakistan has grown because of the 
need of the Taliban to extort money from them to make up the funds 
for the purchase of weapons and explosives, paying off its 
foot-soldiers and compensating the families of the 'martyr' 
Taliban." 
 
"Disclosure Of Taliban Getting Funds From Other Countries," an 
editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (07/30) 
 
"There is a need to increase assistance to Pakistan, because it is 
fighting alone as a frontline ally in the war on terror, whereas, 
according to Mr. Holbrooke the Taliban are getting funds from 
several countries.  As far as moderate Taliban are concerned, 
Pakistan has always held that the moderate among these should be 
included in the national mainstream.  The U.S. must move forward in 
this respect, as it would help take the war on terror to its logical 
end." 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Phenomenon Of Sympathizers Of Taliban," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (07/30) 
 
"There is substantial evidence that India and secret agencies of 
some other countries are providing all sorts of assistance to 
Taliban including funding, arms and ammunition and that is why they 
are sustaining their resistance in the face of full-fledged 
operation by Pakistan Army.  There is, therefore, need to address 
this aspect of the problem and the U.S. should use its influence and 
resources to help stop this foreign assistance to militants." 
 
"U.S. Report On Pak-U.S. Cooperation," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (07/30) 
 
"Richard Holbrooke has admitted that the terrorists are getting 
funds from Europe and the Gulf.  What action will he take against 
Europe? However, [Pakistani leaders] need to discuss these matters 
in the parliament and the nation too should be taken into 
confidence." 
 
"Another Dud Deal?," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/30) 
 
"Reports and comment in the foreign media are increasingly talking 
of the possibility of a deal being explored - or even done -- 
between the army and Baitullah Mehsud....  What is clear is that a 
month after the go-ahead for an operation in the Waziristans there 
is very little sign of movement, and every single one of the men on 
the government's 'most wanted' list remains at large despite 
considerable prices on their heads....  It is perhaps worth 
remembering that all the previous operations against the Taliban in 
Pakistan have ended in a peace deal which they have negotiated from 
a position of strength, and they still have powerful supporters in 
the establishment and the military.  Either we beat Mehsud or he 
beats us. There is no middle ground - and no deal, either." 
 
"If U.S. Wants Peace, It Must Initiate Dialogue With Taliban," an 
editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 
10,000) (07/30) 
 
"The U.S. must initiate dialogue with 'moderate' Taliban, but it 
must remember that all Taliban are moderates.  And United States 
will have to negotiate with the committee that Taliban leader Mullah 
Umar will constitute for this purpose.  The U.S. must understand the 
Taliban mindset, as every Taliban wants supremacy of Shariat laws in 
Afghanistan." 
 
"At Last Consensus On Political Solution Of Afghanistan," an 
editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 
55,000) (07/30) 
 
"There are some media reports that President Obama is willing to 
hold dialogue with sensible elements among Taliban before the next 
Congressional elections in Washington.  It seems that the U.S., 
Britain and their allies have realized that the occupation of 
Afghanistan by foreign forces is not possible, and it is a 
historical reality.  And U.S. craving to hold dialogue with moderate 
Taliban is not a new phenomenon, however, the consensus of President 
Obama, Afghan and Pakistani leaderships to find out a political 
solution of this problem is a significant development." 
 
"The Good And The Bad," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/30) 
 
"It is worth recalling that negotiations were what Washington had 
been opposing whenever Islamabad took that road in the past, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
accusing it of hobnobbing with militants, but Secretary Clinton now 
calls upon Pakistan 'to consider' a similar arrangement with the 
Pakistani Taliban.  Strangely, however, Pakistani officials have 
been quoted as saying that they see no distinction between the good 
Taliban and the bad.  They need to revisit the option.  The country 
cannot afford to take inherently peaceful and patriotic citizens and 
distinction has to be made between the intractable lot and those who 
could be brought in the mainstream." 
 
"Contradictory U.S. Policy For Afghanistan And Pakistan; The 
Government Should Not Accept Any More Dictation From The U.S.," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (07/30) 
 
"Speaking with journalists in Brussels, U.S. Envoy Richard Holbrooke 
said that America supports dialogue with moderate Taliban. 
According to him, 70 percent supporters of the Taliban do not favor 
Mullah Omar and Al-Qaeda ideology....  With American Congress 
elections are to be held next year, the U.S. administration strongly 
feels about Americans reaction to the body bags that continuously 
arrive from Afghanistan, which could create immensely difficult 
situation for Democratic Party.  That is why the Obama 
administration wants to be soft on the Taliban and wants to have 
Karzai government hold talks with the moderate Taliban.... 
Moreover, Afghan presidential election is due next month and America 
wants to see its puppet Karzai win it once more....  Going soft on 
the extremist Taliban has become a compulsion for Obama and 
Karzai." 
 
"New Malakand Pitfalls," an op-ed by I.A. Rehman in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (07/30) 
 
"Any plan to confine the militants to the tribal belt will not only 
be based on a flawed assessment it will also be impossible to 
implement.  The key issue, however, is identification of forces that 
support peace.  The population of the conflict-ravaged zone is not 
likely to back a government-militant accord as it will again put 
them at double jeopardy.  Thus a compact for peace must be 
negotiated with the Malakand population which should have firm 
guarantees of a security cover. Only a compact like this will deter 
the militants from crossing the limits." 
 
"Afghanistan: Joe And Joya," an op-ed by I.M. Mohsin in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(07/30) 
 
"If the U.S. treats Afghanistan as a war, then it has to shoulder 
the burdens let loose by changing ground realities.  Fatigue appears 
to be setting in among the foreign forces.  The situation may get 
worse in August although already, as per BBC, 73 soldiers had died 
till day-before.  Pakistan and U.S. must seriously deliberate on the 
developing crisis.  Bad faith should give way to solidarity dictated 
by the sense of purpose....  Afghanistan is not Vietnam.  U.S. can't 
just pull out like it did from Saigon of yore....  The role of 
Pakistan would remain crucial.  Only she can help." 
 
"Mumbai Probe," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/30) 
 
"Pakistani investigators probing the terrorist attacks last November 
in Mumbai have concluded that 'Lashkar-e-Taiba' (LeT) activists 
conspired, abetted, planned, financed and established a 
communication network to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai.'... 
The terrorist attacks jeopardized the standing of the whole country 
and brought it into a state of near conflict with its biggest 
neighbor, and as such Pakistanis ought to know as much as possible 
about organizations and networks in their midst that are bent on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
dragging them into a state of perpetual conflict." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Feierstein