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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001840 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: AUGUST 07, 2009 
 
Summary:  Prime Minister Gilani's statement pledging to "review 
blasphemy laws" that were "detrimental to religious harmony" 
dominated headlines in all major newspapers on Friday.  Reports and 
photographs of the assassination of a provincial minister in Karachi 
received front-page coverage.  Several major newspapers quoted 
Interior Minister Malik's claim that "there is strong likelihood 
that Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud was killed along with his wife 
and bodyguards in a missile attack."  The Foreign Office spokesman's 
remarks that the "fresh Indian dossier is inadequate to prosecute 
the alleged mastermind and facilitators of the Mumbai attacks" were 
also highlighted.  Newspapers highlighted the report that the U.S. 
is "assisting Pakistan with a $2.1 million program to establish 
national standards for the accreditation of teacher education." 
 
Most major newspapers ran editorials on the recent remarks by Prime 
Minister Gilani hinting at Musharraf's trial on high treason 
charges.  The center-right national English daily "The Nation," 
observed that the "precondition spelled out by Prime Minister Gilani 
to try Gen. (Retd) Musharraf indicates the government's 
unwillingness to take the logical step required after the Supreme 
Court verdict of July 31."  However, the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" advocated that "there is a need 
too to look to the future rather than peer continuously back into 
the past."  The Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu 
daily "Jasarat" noted that the "government led by Prime Minister 
Gilani does not seem to be serious because the Musharraf-Benazir 
agreement is still being implemented, as the guarantors of the 
agreement are firmly present."  End Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Centre Matches Rupees 100m Aid For Gojra Victims By Punjab: Gilani 
Hints At Review Of 'Blasphemy Laws'" "Daily Times" (08/07) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani hinted at a review of the 
blasphemy law on Thursday, and said a committee will discuss 'laws 
detrimental to religious harmony' and work on improving them. 
Gilani announced Rs 100 million as compensation - matching a similar 
grant by the provincial government - for the victims of the Gojra 
riots, and vowed to bring those responsible to justice." 
 
"Balochistan Minister Shot Dead In Karachi" "Dawn" (08/07) 
 
"Sardar Rustam Khan Jamali, Balochistan's Minister for Excise and 
Taxation, was gunned down in Karachi on Thursday.  City police chief 
Wasim Ahmed told 'Dawn' that the attack on Mr. Jamali appeared to be 
a carjacking attempt. 'It's not a case of target killing,' he 
added." 
 
"Mehsud Is Likely Killed In Drone Hit: Says Malik" "The News" 
(08/07) 
 
"There is a strong likelihood that Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud 
was killed along with his wife and bodyguards in a missile attack, 
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Thursday." 
 
"Pakistan Says Fresh Indian Dossier Inadequate" "Dawn" (08/07) 
 
"Pakistan has said that the fresh dossier provided by India is 
inadequate to prosecute the alleged mastermind and facilitators of 
the Mumbai attacks being tried by an anti-terrorism court in 
Rawalpindi, a senior official told 'Dawn.'" 
 
"Interpol Asked To Help Track Suspects" "Dawn" (08/07) 
 
"Pakistan has asked Interpol to issue a global alert for 13 suspects 
wanted for the attacks in Mumbai of November 2008, the international 
police agency said on Thursday.  'The authorities in Pakistan are to 
be commended for making full use of Interpol's global network and 
tools,' said Secretary General Ron Noble in the statement issued 
from the Agency's Headquarters in Lyon, France." "Dawn" (08/07) 
 
"You Wanna Talk, Talk; Otherwise We aren't Dying Either" "The News" 
(08/07) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday again made it 
clear that Pakistan wanted to hold talks with India on equal terms, 
with honor and dignity stressing that, 'We are not begging India to 
come on the negotiation table.'  He expressed these views while 
responding to a number of questions asked by the members of the 
Parliamentary Committee on National Security during its meeting on 
Thursday." 
 
"Pakistan Hopes For Composite Dialogue Resumption" "The News" 
(08/07) 
 
"Pakistan on Thursday expressed confidence that the forthcoming 
meetings between Foreign Secretaries and Foreign Ministers of India 
and Pakistan would lead towards progress on resumption of composite 
Dialogue process, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said in 
weekly news briefing on Thursday." 
 
"U.S. Assists Pakistan With $2.1 Million Program To Help GoP 
Establish National Standards For Teacher Education Program" "Dawn," 
"The Nation," "Pakistan Observer," "Islam," "Aaj Kal," "Khabrain" 
(08/07) 
 
"The United States is assisting Pakistan with a $2.1 million program 
that has helped the Government of Pakistan to establish national 
standards for the accreditation of teacher education.  The 
Government of Pakistan launched these standards on Thursday, with 
support from the U.S. government through the United States Agency 
for International Development (USAID)." 
 
"Extremists Exploiting Economic Woes Of People: White House" "Dawn" 
(08/07) 
 
"The United States was providing direct economic assistance to 
Pakistan to prevent extremists from exploiting people's 
deprivations, the White House said on Thursday.  John Brennan, a 
senior presidential Adviser on Counter-Terrorism, said that 
providing such assistance to Pakistan was part of America's new 
approach to combating extremists." 
 
"U.S. Sets Up Pak-Afghan Cell For War Efforts In Region" "Dawn" 
(08/07) 
 
"The Pentagon has established a Pakistan-Afghanistan Coordination 
Cell, in its basement to streamline its war efforts in that region. 
Headed by Brig-Gen Scott Miller, the cell includes military and 
civilians personnel with expertise on regional politics, economy and 
insurgency.  The intention is to raise experts who will eventually 
rotate back and forth between the U.S. and the region." 
 
"U.S. Delegation Expresses Concern; Energy Crisis, Cash Flow To 
IPPs" "The Nation," "Pakistan Observer" (08/07) 
 
"The 2-member delegation from the United States of America led by 
Bob Deutsch, Senior Economist, U.S. State Department on Thursday 
expressed concern over the energy crisis and cash flow to the IPPs. 
'We are looking how the U.S. government can help overcome the energy 
crisis possibly by inviting energy sector companies to move 
forward,' the delegates stated." 
 
"Clinton Foundation To Build Solar Power Station Near Pak Border" 
"Daily Times" (08/07) 
 
"The Clinton Foundation will create a solar park to generate more 
than 5,000 megawatts of electricity close to India's border with 
Pakistan, The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday." 
 
"9 Militants Killed In Bajaur" "The News" (08/07) 
 
"At least nine militants were killed and two others sustained 
injuries during the security forces' action in different areas of 
Nawagai and Salarzai subdivisions in Bajaur Agency on Thursday, 
official sources said." 
 
"One Killed, 7 Hurt As Choppers Shell NWA Village" "The News" 
(08/07) 
 
"A man was killed and seven others, including four women and three 
children, were injured in shelling and bombing by gunship 
helicopters of the Pakistan Army on Qutabkhel village near Miramshah 
in North Waziristan on Thursday morning." 
 
"Soldier, Lashkar-e-Islami (LI) Man Killed In Bara Operation" "The 
News" (08/07) 
 
"Two people including a soldier were killed during an operation 
against the Bara-based banned organization, Lashkar-e-Islami (LI), 
on Thursday." 
 
"Anti-Taliban Militia Raised In Swat To Fight Taliban" "Dawn" 
(08/07) 
 
"The militancy-hit people of the Kalagai area of Swat have raised a 
private militia and eliminated three suspected militants....  A 
group of journalists, who were taken to the area in Kabal tehsil on 
Thursday by the security forces, attended a Jirga of the militia. 
Members of the militia told journalists that they had seized six 
militants and handed them over to security personnel." 
 
"We Have To Keep An Eye On Increasing Number Of Americans In 
Islamabad: Former Army Generals" "Ummat" (08/07) 
 
"Pakistan's former army generals Gen. (retd) Moin-ud-Din Haider, 
Gen. (retd) Tirmedi and Gen. (retd) Wajahat Latif in an interview 
with this newspaper said that Pakistan would have to keep an eye on 
the increasing number of Americans in Islamabad and that these 
Americans cannot come without prior approval of Pakistan.  They said 
that Pakistan's sovereignty is at stake." 
 
"Ugly Episode Outside U.S. Embassy Gets Documented" "Dawn" (08/07) 
 
"Concerned authorities are compiling a report on the incident in 
which a U.S. diplomat passed obscene remarks against a station house 
officer (SHO) and aimed weapon at him.  This was stated by Foreign 
Office Spokesman Abdul Basit in Islamabad on Thursday, terming the 
incident as unfortunate. 'Once we receive the report, we will see as 
to what action should be taken,' he added." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Quest For Unanimity," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (08/07) 
 
"The precondition spelled out by Prime Minister Gilani to try Gen. 
(Retd) Pervez Musharraf indicates the government's unwillingness to 
take the logical next step required after the Supreme Court verdict 
of July 31....  While the Supreme Court has added a bright chapter 
in the otherwise less than glorious history of the superior 
judiciary, it remains to be seen if Parliament is going to live up 
to the people's expectations." 
 
"Treason Trial," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/07) 
 
"Rather unexpectedly, the Prime Minister has stated the government 
may be willing to put former President Pervez Musharraf on trial, is 
a deviation from the previous stance by the PPP....  It is true that 
General Musharraf should by right be made to stand trial for the 
many wrongs he committed....  Some of the damage at least will not 
be easy to repair....  But having emerged from this dark period, 
there is a need too to look to the future rather than peer 
continuously back into the past....  This is not to say a dictator 
should not be tried; indeed this should happen to set a precedent 
for the future." 
 
"Need For Real Opposition," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) 
(08/07) 
 
"The government led by Prime Minister Gilani does not seem to be 
serious to hold trial of former President Musharraf because the 
Musharraf-Benazir agreement is still being implemented as the 
guarantors of the agreement are firmly present. The Zardari 
government is implementing the American agenda and in a much worse 
form than the Musharraf administration did." 
 
"Action Under Article 6: Strange Condition Of Parliament's Unanimous 
Resolution," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (08/07) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that government would 
not hesitate from taking action against former President Musharraf 
if the Parliament brings a unanimous resolution in this respect.... 
Neither Parliament's resolution is required for action under Article 
6 of the Constitution nor is there a parliamentary tradition in this 
respect....  The resolution condition for taking action against 
Musharraf is difficult to meet; perhaps this is what government 
wants.  PML-N should now present a resolution in the Parliament and 
expose those parties before the people who do not want to hold a 
military dictator accountable for his misdeeds." 
 
"Treason Case Against Musharraf?," an editorial in the center-right 
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (08/07) 
 
"Politically and legally speaking a treason case against Musharraf 
seems difficult.  The need of the hour is for all political parties, 
irrespective of their representation in the Parliament, should sit 
together and come up with a unanimous resolution in this respect." 
 
"Targeted Terror," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (08/07) 
 
"The point perhaps to be made is that the U.S. must realize knocking 
out Mehsud in this fashion could prove counter-productive.  There is 
every possibility this would trigger a surge of sympathy that may 
undo gains brought about by the death of a key militant figure.  One 
can understand Washington perhaps feels it has little choice.  But 
the task for Islamabad is to prove that it possess the capability 
and the commitment to tackle Mehsud and his militias itself.  A 
capture of the man many see as the country's most dangerous 
terrorist by Pakistani forces, rather than assassination by external 
agents - particularly U.S. ones - may serve the cause of the wider 
war on terror more effectively.  Militancy in Waziristan may not end 
with the death of Baitullah Mehsud.  A strategy that aims at winning 
back the agency must be actively pursued by Islamabad." 
 
"Banning Terrorists, Pakistan Style," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (08/07) 
 
"Mr. Malik has promised stern action, etc, against the 25 
organizations named in his communication to the National Assembly, 
but he may find this stern action difficult to implement when the 
citizens are not even aware of the ban.  Indeed, most of them are 
considered kosher by the public at large.  The complaint the 
international community has against Pakistan is that it takes no 
convincing action against the banned organizations and in fact lets 
them function as normal organizations in its civil society." 
 
"NATO Fans Fire In Balochistan," an editorial in the Islamabad-based 
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (08/07) 
 
"Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told newsmen at Karachi Press 
Club on Wednesday that arms in Balochistan had been traced back to 
NATO countries and that Pakistan had already approached those 
countries in this regard.  This is for the first time that a 
categorical statement has been given on the issue but it is sorry to 
point out that Pakistan is perhaps the only country in the world 
where issues of so dangerous and grave nature are handled in a 
casual manner.  One fails to understand what prevents our 
authorities from raising the issue with due seriousness with their 
interlocutors from Washington or Brussels.  Why we are not ready to 
even lodge strong protests with the United States and NATO 
countries?  This is high time that the Government accords due 
priority to the issue and sensitizes the international community 
about conspiracy being hatched by those considered as friends to 
destabilize the country." 
 
"Balochistan Factor In Pak-India Talks," an op-ed by Sultan M. Hali 
in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" 
(cir. 5,000) (08/07) 
 
"India has to stop messing around in Baluchistan,' U.S. media quoted 
Pakistani officials as saying.  The attempt to establish linkages 
should reinforce those who felt that the mention of Baluchistan was 
a big blunder which may be exploited by Pakistan to put RAW on the 
same footing as the ISI, and to claim that India was also guilty of 
using terror as an instrument to further its strategic objectives. 
The charge is absurd, if only for the reason that India does not 
have the capacity to engage in covert operations to harass Pakistan 
even if it wished so.  But the fear is that it may find fertile 
ground among a constituency in the U.S. desperately looking for ways 
to inveigle India into the Af-Pak cauldron." 
 
"Choice Before Iran," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left 
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (08/07) 
 
"With another four years ahead of him, Mr. Ahmadinejad should be 
clear about his priorities.  His first one should be the domestic 
scene....  His second priority should be to avoid an attack by 
Israel.  This means Iran must find a solution to its nuclear 
question in a way that removes western apprehensions about Iran's 
real aims regarding uranium enrichment.  The West must reciprocate 
every step Iran takes in the right direction." 
 
"Government's Lack Of Interest In Dr. Aafia Siddiqui Release," an 
editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (08/07) 
 
"The government should pay immediate attention to the medical 
treatment of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.  The bias of American judges has 
been exposed and they cannot be expected to handout justice, 
especially when the government of Pakistan hasn't provided Aafia 
with a lawyer....  The government should use all diplomatic options 
to save her." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Feierstein