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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001830 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 06, 2009 
 
Summary: Reports that the "government would try former military 
president Musharraf for high treason provided the National Assembly 
demands such a course" dominated headlines in all newspapers on 
Thursday.  All dailies gave prominent coverage to reports that the 
"wife of Tehrik Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud and two 
militants were killed in a U.S. missile strike in South Waziristan." 
 The Federal Cabinet's decision to "do away with the condition of 
bachelor's degree for the candidates contesting for the parliament 
and the provincial assemblies" received extensive coverage.  Several 
major dailies reported that the government had armed and appointed 
the first community police in Swat valley, "hoping to prevent a 
Taliban resurgence and bolster security forces." 
 
Most major dailies ran editorials on yet another incident of alleged 
desecration of the Quran, and the approval of the domestic violence 
bill by the National Assembly.  Disparaging the blasphemy law, the 
Lahore-based liberal English newspaper, "Daily Times," observed that 
it "doesn't care for evidence, has no concern for 'will' behind the 
act of blasphemy, has set aside the concept of 'Tauba' (contrition), 
and is subject to a widespread misuse by criminal elements of 
society who conflate blasphemy with desecration of the Quran." 
Similarly, the populist, often sensational national English daily 
"The News," also underlined that the "laws misused to settle scores 
must be undone; a message of communal peace must go out from mosques 
and over the official media."  However, the Karachi based pro-Jihadi 
right-wing daily "Ummat," wrote: "The terror act and attack on the 
Christian minority should not be seen in isolation, as Muslims are 
also not safe in this country..."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"PM Gilani Links Musharraf Trial To NA Resolution" "Dawn" (08/06) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani assured the National Assembly on 
Wednesday his government would try former military President Pervez 
Musharraf for high treason if the lower house demanded such a course 
through a unanimous resolution." 
 
"Baitullah's Wife, Two Militants Killed In U.S. Drone Attack" "Dawn" 
(08/06) 
 
"The wife of Baitullah Mehsud and two militants were killed in a 
U.S. missile strike in Laddha subdivision in South Waziristan on 
Wednesday.  The woman killed in the raid is said to be second wife 
of Pakistan's most wanted militant leader, according to local people 
and official sources." 
 
"Cabinet Decides To Do Away With Graduation Condition For MPs" 
"Dawn" (08/06) 
 
"The federal cabinet decided on Wednesday to do away with the 
condition of bachelor's degree for candidates for the Senate and the 
national and provincial assemblies, in line with the Supreme Court 
judgment of April 21 last year." 
 
"Govt. Launches Community Police In Swat" "Daily Times" (08/06) 
 
"The country has armed and appointed the first community police 
force in Swat, hoping to prevent a Taliban resurgence and bolster 
the capacity of security forces depleted by beheadings and mass 
desertions." 
 
"Eleven Killed In Lashkar Attack In Upper Dir" "Dawn" (08/06) 
 
"Eleven militants were killed when a tribal Lashkar attacked their 
hideouts in Doog Darra area in Upper Dir on Wednesday.  One 
militant, identified as Zakirullah, was arrested and four houses of 
suspected militants were set on fire in Shatkas." 
 
"Mehsud Elders Ask Govt. To Stop Operation" "Dawn" (08/06) 
 
"A delegation of the elders of Mehsud tribe of South Waziristan has 
arrived in the federal capital in an effort to persuade the 
government to stop military action against the people of their 
area." 
 
"Soldier Killed, Three Hurt As Militants Attack Convoy" "Dawn" 
(08/06) 
 
"One soldier was killed and three others sustained critical injuries 
when militants attacked a military convoy on Karakoram Highway in 
Kohistan district on Wednesday, sources said." 
 
"12 Militants Arrested In Hangu, Kohat" "Dawn" (08/06) 
 
"Twelve militants belonging to Waziristan and Afghanistan were 
arrested along with huge cache of arms and ammunition during search 
operations in Hangu and Kohat districts, police said on Wednesday." 
 
 
"Mosques To Be Cleared Of Afghan Clerics" "Dawn" (08/06) 
 
"The government has decided to take control of dozens of mosques in 
the Malakand region allegedly being run by Afghan clerics who have 
'direct links with the Taliban.'  'All (Afghan) Maulvis acting as 
Imams (prayer leaders) will be expelled from Malakand division and 
border areas,' Lt-Gen. Nadeem Ahmed, the head of the Special Group 
for IDPs, told reporters in Islamabad on Wednesday." 
 
"Govt. Bans 25 Religious Outfits" "The Nation" (08/06) 
 
"The government has banned as many as 25 organizations while placing 
one on watch list under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, Federal 
Minister for Interior Rehman Malik told the Nation Assembly on 
Wednesday." 
 
"Another Blasphemy Incident" "The Nation" (08/06) 
 
"Enraged people surrounded the house of a 60-year old woman at 
Sanghar (a town of Sindh) and tried to kill her for her alleged 
attempt to desecrate the Holy Quran, reported a private TV channel 
on Wednesday." 
 
"5-Year Plan To Address Root Causes Of Militancy: President" "The 
Nation" (08/06) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the government is working 
on 'Malakand Pilot Project,' a five-year plan of action for 
providing not only rehabilitation and reconstruction of Malakand but 
also to address the root causes of extremism and militancy." 
 
"Friends' Meeting In Istanbul: Pakistan To Seek $2.5 Billion For 
Malakand" "Dawn" (08/06) 
 
"Pakistan will seek $2.5 billion for rehabilitation and 
reconstruction of Malakand division from Friends of Democratic 
Pakistan at a meeting in Istanbul next week, said Lt-Gen Nadeem 
Ahmed, Chief of the Special Support Group for Internally Displaced 
Persons." 
 
"IDPs Return From Mardan Ends Today" "The News" (08/06) 
 
"The NWFP government has announced a complete return of the 
internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Mardan district to their 
hometowns in Malakand division." 
 
"Balochistan Peace: Help Iran, Talk to Bugti, Befriend Kabul-Delhi" 
"The News" (08/06) 
 
"The Balochistan government has warned Islamabad in unequivocal 
terms that it should mitigate Iran's sense of regional isolation in 
the prevalent turbulent circumstances.  It must remain vigilant that 
any unfortunate event of sabotage within Tehran borders should not 
be allowed to be linked with Pakistan at any cost to preclude all 
possibilities of Iranian territory being used in future for any 
anti-Pakistan activity, as is presently the case with Afghanistan." 
 
"Arms In Balochistan Linked To NATO Countries: FO" "Pakistan 
Observer" (08/06) 
 
"Arms in Balochistan have been traced back to NATO countries, 
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told journalists at the Karachi 
Press Club on Wednesday." 
 
"Objections On Posting Of Marines At U.S. Embassy Rejected" 
"Mashriq" (08/06) 
 
"Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit while rejecting the 
objections raised against the posting of hundreds of the Marines at 
the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, has said that these postings are in 
accordance with the diplomatic norms.  He said that Pakistan can 
also appoint its security personnel at the compound of its embassy 
in Washington.  Talking to journalists on Wednesday, Mr. Basit said 
that hundreds of our security personnel are posted at the Pakistani 
embassy in Washington too, and if we desire we can also post 
additional policemen and security staff within the premises of our 
Mission.  He maintained that no objection can be raised over the 
deployment of hundreds of security personnel and soldiers at the 
U.S. Embassy in Islamabad.  The embassy of a country is like an 
independent country and it can appoint anyone there, he added." 
 
"Mullen For Sustained Relationship With Pakistan, Afghanistan" 
"Daily Times" (08/06) 
 
"The U.S. needs to focus on a regional approach that incorporates 
Pakistan and Afghanistan, and allows for a sustained relationship 
with both countries, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike 
Mullen told the National Public Radio (NPR) in an interview." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"State And Intolerance," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (08/06) 
 
"The blasphemy law doesn't care for evidence, has no concern for 
'will' behind the act of blasphemy, has set aside the concept of 
'Tauba' (contrition), and is subject to a widespread misuse by 
criminal elements of society who conflate blasphemy with desecration 
of the Quran.  The state, impotent after its 'Jihad' phase, extends 
lame excuses, blaming incidents on the ubiquitous 'foreign hand.' 
Its executive knows that the state is weak-kneed and therefore sides 
with the empowered Jihadi non-state actors as they enter the town 
with murder on their minds." 
 
"Mob Madness," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/06) 
 
"What is far more alarming is what these incidents say about the 
environment we have created in our country.  It seems that we have 
been able to whip up so much hatred that the tide has overwhelmed 
all humanity and all reason.  Simply making an accusation of 
blasphemy is enough to bring violent death.  The mob mentality seen 
at the Muridke factory has been demonstrated too in other places and 
has taken an equally tragic toll on lives....  We need to change 
this...." 
 
"Gojra Incident: Even Muslims Are Not Safe In The Country," an 
editorial in Karachi based Pro-Jihadi right-wing daily "Ummat" (Cir. 
33,000) (08/06) 
 
"The terror act and attack on the Christian minority should not be 
seen in isolation, as Muslims are also not safe in this country, and 
terrorists have killed numerous Muslims in dozens of terror 
incidents.  Consequently this incident should not be presented as 
the Christian-specific violence." 
 
"In the Grip Of Fear," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/06) 
 
"The Gojra incident is a stark reminder that administrative lapses 
can accentuate communal unrest in the province where minorities feel 
more insecure now than at any time in the past.  The government has 
to deal with this situation effectively." 
 
"Another Incident Of 'Blasphemy'," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (08/06) 
 
"What is worrisome is that the politico-religious parties try to 
take advantage of such incidents and fan hatred among the people. 
We would therefore appeal to the Ulema belonging to all schools of 
thought to play a proactive role in promoting harmony and in no way 
individuals or groups be allowed to take law in their hands." 
 
"Is There A Way To Get Rid Of Global Terrorist America?," an 
editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu 
daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (08/06) 
 
"Can anyone has doubt in believing that the U.S. is the biggest 
terrorist state in the world whose very foundation was laid on blood 
of the native Indians.  Only those will not believe this fact whose 
interests are directly linked with the Americans.  The nuclear 
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki reminds us of the American 
barbarism when they unleashed terror and destruction which human 
beings have never experienced before.  American terrorism did not 
end with the nuclear attacks on Japan.  In the aftermath of 9/11 
attacks, the killing of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans 
that we witnessed, and now there are reports that the U.S. is 
building a fortress in Islamabad at its embassy where 300 marines 
would be stationed.  Following 9/11 CIA established its bases in 
Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad and Quetta.  Today our rulers are 
supporting the U.S. policy, and only the Jamaat-e-Islami opposes the 
American agenda.  Before the U.S. turns Pakistan into another 
Nagasaki and Hiroshima, it is time for Pakistanis to wake up and say 
'go (away) America go.'" 
 
"Afghanistan: For Winning The War," an op-ed by I.M. Mohsin in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(08/06) 
 
"Obama is not George W. Given his statesmanlike solemnity, he would 
realize that U.S. has permanent interests in the 'Af-Pak' region 
which would preclude decamping like in Saigon.  It can't even desert 
the area like it did after the collapse of the Soviet Union under 
Daddy Bush nor can it maintain 'occupation.'" 
 
"Time To Stem The Rot," an op-ed by Faizullah Jan in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (08/06) 
 
"Growing Talibanization inside the country is the blowback of using 
Jihadi indoctrination for strategic goals.  With strategic depth no 
longer anywhere in sight, Pakistan's own social fabric is in tatters 
with extremists posing an existential threat to the country.  Little 
did our policymakers know that their policies formulated so many 
years ago for a strategic objective could boomerang with such force. 
Pakistan should reassess its Afghan policy and befriend the Afghan 
nation." 
 
"Fatah's Mistakes," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (08/06) 
 
"The fratricide between Hamas and Fatah has frozen the peace 
process, and the West Bank and Gaza have become two cantons with no 
status in international law.  Fatah can undo this mistake by ending 
its feud with Hamas, because unity is a prerequisite for a 
successful struggle for the liberation of Palestine." 
 
"U.S. Embassy's Clarification," a letter to the Editor by Charge d' 
Affaires Gerald M. Feierstein in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (08/06) 
 
 
"We were disappointed to read the report published by 'Dawn' on Aug 
1 (U.S. plans for bigger presence raise eyebrows in Islamabad), and 
then editorialized on Aug 3 (U.S. security plans) concerning U.S. 
plans to re-develop its embassy compound over the coming years. 
While this mission will grow in the coming years as well, it should 
ensure our ability to implement plans to treble the amount of 
assistance the people of the United States are providing to Pakistan 
under the terms of the Kerry-Lugar legislation, the numbers of 
additional staff bandied about in the 'Dawn' article, as well as 
assertions that there will be hundreds of 'Marines' and 'APCs' 
assigned here, are quite simply untrue." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Feierstein