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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002320 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 
 
Summary:  The U.S. Senate's approval of a legislation to "triple 
non-military aid to Pakistan" received extensive coverage in all 
major newspapers on Friday.  Almost all the Urdu and English 
language dailies highlighted the story of the "establishment of a 
multi-donor fund to rebuild Pakistan's conflict-hit areas" during a 
meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP).  The 
prestigious English language daily, "Dawn" gave front-page coverage 
to Saudi Arabia's pledge to "provide $100 million to Pakistan for 
rehabilitation of the IDPs".  All major newspapers ran story of the 
"killing of seven pro-government elders in Bannu by the militants" 
and the "death 8 people in a fresh drone attack in Miranshah".  The 
daily "Dawn" reported as a back-page news that the "Army to support 
the formation of 12,000-strong Lashkar in Swat."  The populist, 
often sensational national English daily "The News" gave front-page 
to President Asif Zardari's statement in which he had "urged the 
FoDP to ensure the early provision of assistance to Pakistan."  It 
also published former President Pervez Musharraf's claim that "Nawaz 
[Sharif] a 'closet Taliban'" as a back-page story.  As an exclusive 
story, the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" 
wrote that "Quetta Shura [will be]top issue in U.S. talks with 
Pakistan." 
 
Several Urdu and English language dailies highlighted, in their lead 
editorials, the potential for large-scale corruption associated with 
foreign aid for Pakistan and the concerns of the donor countries in 
this regard. The leading mass circulation populist, often 
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" wrote that "it is almost impossible to 
discard all of the contents of the recent report of Transparency 
International regarding the corruption of Pakistani politicians and 
bureaucrats is report" and urged the government to take effective 
steps to restore the confidence of the donor states.  In its 
editorial, the English daily "The News" analyzed General Stanley 
McChrystal's report on growing Indian influence in Afghanistan and 
the ISI's support for Taliban.  The center-right national English 
daily "The Nation" termed President Barack Obama's address to the 
UNGA as "Doublespeak" in its leading editorial. The newspapers 
writes that "President Obama is clearly a confused man.  On the one 
hand, he has the Bush policies which he cannot seem to reverse; and, 
on the other hand, he has his pre-election positions and promises, 
many of which seem to be receding into the background."  End 
Summary. 
 
----------------- 
News Stories 
----------------- 
 
"Senate Triples U.S. Aid To $1.5 Billion" "Dawn" (09/25) 
 
"The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved compromise legislation to 
triple non-military aid to Pakistan, President Barack Obama told an 
international summit in New York.  How nice that the U.S. President 
could announce it personally,' U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke 
later told a briefing while emphasizing the importance of the 
announcement made at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan summit. 
President Asif Ali Zardari also stressed the significance of Mr. 
Obama's gesture, telling the reporters that it reflected the 
confidence the international community had in the new democratic 
set-up in Pakistan....  He added: 'A stable, prosperous Pakistan is 
the world's greatest hope against the spread of extremism and 
terrorism.'" 
 
"Fund To Rebuild Pak Conflict Areas Set Up" "The Nation" (09/25) 
 
"In an unprecedented show of support for Pakistan, major economic 
powers on Thursday agreed on the formation of a multi-donor trust 
fund to help the country build its tribal areas, which have suffered 
greatly due to the ongoing fight against militant.  President Barack 
Obama, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Gordon Brown 
co-chaired a meeting of Friends Democratic of Pakistan (FoDP). 
Richard Holbrooke, top U.S. official dealing with Pakistan and 
Afghanistan, said Kerry Lugar Bill will become a law next week but 
disbursement of aid under the measure is a complicated process. 
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called the summit a 
'diplomatic success', saying it represented a vote of confident in 
the Pakistani nation." 
 
"S. Arabia Pledges $100 Million For IDPs" "Dawn" (09/25) 
 
"Saudi Arabia has made a $100 million pledge to help the 
humanitarian efforts of the United Nations and its partners in 
Pakistan, where more than one million people uprooted by violence 
between troops and militants are yet to return to their homes.  An 
announcement to this effect was made by the United Nations on 
Thursday." 
 
"Militants Kill Seven Pro-Government Elders In Bannu" "Dawn" 
(09/25) 
 
"Seven members of a local peace committee were killed and seven 
others injured when militants ambushed their vehicle in the Frontier 
Region Bannu on Thursday, local people said." 
 
"Drone Strike Kills Eight In North Waziristan" "Dawn" (09/25) 
 
"Eight people were killed and two others injured when two missiles 
fired by a drone hit the Markaz of Afghan commander Ahmad Haqqani, 
son of Jalaluddin Haqqani, in Dandi Derpakhel area of North 
Waziristan on Thursday night.  The area is a stronghold of the 
Taliban and Jalaluddin Haqqani is believed to be living here." 
 
"Army To Support Initiative: 12,000-Strong Lashkar To Be Formed In 
Swat" "Dawn" (09/25) 
 
"About 10,000 people of Kabal tehsil assembled at Saidu Sharif 
airport on Thursday and decided to raise a Lashkar to help security 
forces clear the area of militants.  Kabal Operation Commander Brig 
Salman Akbar and other military officers, Swat Qaumi Jirga's Chief 
Syed Inamur Rehman attended the event.  Brig Akbar said that the 
army would fully support the Lashkar." 
 
"Security Forces Kill Eight Militants In Malakand" "Dawn" (09/25) 
 
"Security forces said they killed eight Taliban after an abortive 
attempt to ambush a military convoy in Malakand.  Troops retaliated 
and killed all the eight militants,' the military spokesman in Swat, 
Colonel Akhtar Abbas, told AFP." 
 
"Delay Won't Serve, Hurry Up, Asif Tells FoDP" "The News" (09/25) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said that democracy in 
Pakistan during last one year had opened a window of opportunity to 
finish militancy once and for all and urged the Friends of 
Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) to intervene with timely assistance to 
his country." 
 
Nawaz A 'Closet Taliban,' Claims Musharraf" (09/25) 
 
"Former President Gen. (R) Pervez Musharraf said that he 'will 
return to Pakistan' despite the possibility of facing trial while 
terming Nawaz Sharif a 'closet Taliban,' Musharraf said in an 
exclusive interview with ABC News." 
 
"Quetta Shura Top Issue In U.S. Talks With Pakistan" "Daily Times" 
(09/25) 
 
"The so-called Quetta Shura issue is now at the top of the United 
States' agenda in its meetings with Pakistani officials, the New 
York Times reported on Thursday.  Citing senior American officials, 
the paper said Taliban leaders were using sanctuaries in Pakistan to 
stoke a widening campaign in Afghanistan.  American military and 
intelligence officials told the paper the Quetta Shura was directly 
responsible for the recent wave of violence in northern and western 
Afghanistan." 
 
"Historic UN Move For N-Free World" "Dawn" (09/25) 
 
"World powers adopted on Thursday a landmark resolution seeking to 
rid the planet of nuclear arms at an unprecedented Security Council 
summit hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama.  The resolution, 
adopted unanimously, commits member nations to work towards a world 
without nuclear weapons and endorses a broad framework of actions to 
reduce global nuclear dangers.  It urges all states to comply with 
the obligations of the NPT, to refrain from conducting nuclear test 
explosions and ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)." 
 
"U.S. Not Sending Troops To Pakistan: Holbrooke" "The News" (09/25) 
 
 
"U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard 
Holbrooke has dispelled news reports regarding sending U.S. troops 
to Pakistan.  Talking to a private Pakistani TV channel in New York, 
Holbrooke said that U.S. is friend of Pakistan and there is no truth 
in such media reports." 
 
"Hillary Meets Zardari" "The Nation" (09/25) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on President Asif 
Ali Zardari on Thursday and discussed wide-ranging issues including 
economic development of Pakistan and common security concerns." 
 
"Kerry-Lugar Bill's Passage Jacks Up KSE, Gains 277 Points" "The 
Nation" (09/25) 
 
"Positive developments after Eid vacations favored the local bourse 
on Thursday as the KSE-100 index added notable 277 points.  The 
approval of US$2.37 billion, (market sentiment suggested that the 
approved amount will be invested in the local equity market) by the 
U.S. Congress, kept the momentum alive." 
 
"U.S. Embassy Mini Pentagon In Pakistan: JI" "The Nation" (09/25) 
 
"Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Chief Syed Munawar Hassan on Thursday 
said that U.S. Embassy in Pakistan had become mini-pentagon in the 
country and U.S. interference in Pakistan has created hatred against 
U.S. in the country.  He alleged that U.S. and NATO forces had fully 
involved in the destabilization of the region and demanded of the 
government to clarify in the meeting of Friends of Pakistan that the 
peace in the region would not be possible in the presence of U.S. 
and NATO forces." 
 
"U.S. Still Wants More Against Taliban: NYT" "Pakistan Observer" 
(09/25) 
 
"Senior Taliban leaders, showing a surprising level of 
sophistication and organization, are using their sanctuary in 
Pakistan to stoke a widening campaign of violence in northern and 
western Afghanistan, senior American military and intelligence 
officials say." 
 
"Pakistan Can Ask Others To Do More: Rehman" "Pakistan Observer" 
(09/25) 
 
"Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Thursday said that 
owing to better policy of the government now Pakistan was in a 
position to ask other countries to do more.  Talking to a private TV 
channel he said in recent past, U.S. and other countries used to say 
do more 'but now we are in a position to ask others to do more' and 
the credit for this giant change went to the incumbent government 
whose finer policies altered the thinking of others." 
 
"Danger For Pakistan, India If U.S. Quits Afghanistan: Musharraf" 
"Daily Times" (09/25) 
 
"Pakistan and India will face great danger from Al Qaeda if the 
United States pulls out of Afghanistan, former president Pervez 
Musharraf said in an exclusive interview with ABC News on Thursday." 
 
 
"No Action Against Saeed Sans Solid Evidence: Malik" "The News" 
(09/25) 
 
"Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said that during his 
meeting with CIA Chief he had made it clear that no action would be 
taken against Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Saeed without 
concrete evidence regarding his involvement in Mumbai attacks.  He 
was talking to media persons after meeting with CIA Chief in New 
York." 
 
"Call To Ensure Transparency In Armed Forces Expenditures" "Dawn" 
(09/25) 
 
"The Transparency International (Pakistan) and the Public 
Procurement Regulatory Authority have asked the Chiefs of the Army 
and Navy and the Defence Ministry to implement the Public 
Procurement rules to ensure transparency, it has been learned 
reliably." 
 
--------------------- 
Editorials/Op-eds 
--------------------- 
 
"Doubts On The Use Of Foreign Assistance," an editorial in the 
leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily 
"Jang" (cir. 300,000) (09/25) 
 
"The Transparency International's recent report regarding 
irregularities in the utilization of foreign assistance has been 
issued at a time when the Pakistan government is making all-out 
efforts to garner maximum possible aid from the international 
community.  All prejudices aside, it is almost impossible to discard 
all of the contents of this report.  The huge assets of our 
politicians and bureaucrats and their clandestine bank accounts in 
foreign countries speak volumes about the level of all-pervasive 
corruption and discrepancies in the use of financial assistance 
provided to Pakistan in the past.  That is why, some countries 
having friendly relations with Pakistan are feeling the need for 
more transparency in the use of their funds, while the FoDP, despite 
holding several meetings, is still reluctant to fulfill its pledges 
of assistance.  When an ordinary Pakistani is attributing the bad 
economic conditions and political and social chaos to the 
large-scale corruption in the utilization of foreign aid, then the 
reservations of the donor countries, in this regard, cannot, and 
should not, be ignored." 
 
"General Alert," an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (09/25) 
 
"The general (McChrystal) notes that the Afghan insurgency is 
supported from the Pakistan side and repeats the oft-made allegation 
that elements of our security services (ISI) support the Taliban for 
their own reasons.  Conversely, the ISI have worked closely with the 
Americans in the capture of key Al Qaeda figures and we may also 
assume that there is an exchange of intelligence prior to drone 
strikes.  The general has every right to be concerned, and for our 
part we need to have a tight rein on our own intelligence services 
as well as staying alert to machinations to the east." 
 
"Obama's Doublespeak," an editorial in the center-right national 
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (09/25) 
 
"President Obama is clearly a confused man. On the one hand, he has 
the Bush policies which he cannot seem to reverse; and, on the other 
hand, he has his pre-election positions and promises, many of which 
seem to be receding into the background.  His address to the UN 
General Assembly conveyed the same dialectical message.  For 
instance, he stressed the need for a multilateral approach to global 
problem solving and pledged to work with other countries, but made 
it clear that U.S. interests would reign supreme.  The problem is 
that U.S. interests often tend to undermine other countries' 
interests.   So unless the U.S. learns to respect the interests of 
other countries, there can be no 'new era of engagement based on 
mutual interest and mutual respect.'" 
 
"U.S. Will Have To Do It Alone," an editorial in the Islamabad-based 
rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (09/25) 
 
"U.S. President Barack Obama used his first UN address making a 
clarion call for world unity to tackle stark challenges saying the 
U.S. cannot face them alone.  He referred to global problems 
including nuclear proliferation, war, climate change and economic 
crisis and said in this scenario all nations bore responsibility for 
addressing them.  Though on the face of it, the address by President 
Obama sent a message of conciliation and cooperation yet we would 
like to point out that most of the burning issues facing the world 
today including Palestinian problem, Iraq and Afghanistan, human 
degradation and environmental pollution are the creation of U.S. 
alone as hardly any other country had contributed much that worsened 
the situation that we are in today....  Unless and until it changes 
policies of dictating its viewpoint on international issues and 
gives due consideration to the thinking of other countries, U.S. 
would continue to come under criticism and not receive total global 
cooperation.  We would therefore emphasize that the United States 
alone will have to first address the issues." 
 
"President Obama And The Afghan Conundrum," an editorial in the 
country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (09/25) 
 
"In his address to the UN General Assembly, President Obama once 
again repeated the pledge to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda 
and its extremist allies.  He denounced the terrorists and vowed to 
stand by the US friends on the frontline....  Meanwhile, parts of a 
report sent to the President by top U.S. and NATO Commander General 
Stanley McChrystal were leaked out to the press.  Among other 
things, the report supports claims by American officials that al 
Qaeda maintains safe havens in Pakistan and that the ISI is aiding 
the Taliban.  Islamabad has its own complaints regarding U.S. 
policies.  These include the failure to fulfill commitments.... 
Unless Pakistan's concerns are addressed, the situation is likely to 
remain unchanged." 
 
"Obama's Assurance," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (09/25) 
 
"Though the U.S. seems to have realized that the social and 
political structures of Pakistan have suffered heavily as a result 
of militancy against the state and society, ironically, the huge 
outlay of the American assistance in the war against terrorism has 
yet to produce uplift in the economic fortunes of the common 
Pakistanis....  The U.S. financial assistance in the war needed to 
be a workable and equitable combination of military expenditure and 
public welfare initiatives.  But that was not the case. Successive 
U.S. governments have been investing more heavily in individuals 
rather than in government institutions.  Now, with President Obama 
becoming the U.S. President and raising the slogan of change, one 
may hope that his commitment and expression of hope to rid Pakistan, 
and the world at large, of terrorism and unilateralism will be 
translated into reality." 
 
"U.S. Should Make Amends," an editorial in Lahore-based populist 
Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 10,000) (09/25) 
 
"President Obama and Ambassador Holbrooke should implement what they 
have said: that they will not abandon Pakistan.  The U.S. must work 
to make the Friends of Pakistan meeting a success.  We hope that the 
U.S. will not repeat past mistakes and would remove any 
misunderstandings that are creating a rift between the two 
countries." 
 
"U.S. Vice President's Dangerous Suggestion Of Operation In 
Pakistan," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu 
daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (09/25) 
 
"U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's advice to American commandoes to 
focus on Pakistan is a moment of reflection for Pakistan.... 
Pakistan is being turned into a battle field on the pretext of 
financial assistance.  Efforts are afoot to accelerate al-Qaeda 
presence propaganda against Pakistan in order to ultimately pave the 
way for guerrilla action and wider drone and missile attacks inside 
Pakistan.  In the final analysis, this all could result in the U.S. 
control over Pakistan's nuclear program and danger for the country's 
security." 
 
"International Community's Role In The War On Terror," an editorial 
in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (09/25) 
 
"According to a news item, President Obama is reviewing different 
possibilities, including one suggested by Vice President Biden to 
reduce troops in Afghanistan and take action against Al Qaeda in 
Pakistan.  Allow us to warn that any such adventure by the U.S. 
would worsen the situation and would lay waste gains made by 
Pakistan in its campaign against terrorism.  The better thing to do 
would be to arm Pakistan so that the on-going operation against 
terrorism can yield better results." 
 
"President Obama's Address To The General Assembly," an editorial in 
the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (09/25) 
 
"President Obama has rightly praised Pakistan's effort in the war 
against terrorism, but the need of the hour is the disbursement of 
the promised aid....  The government of Pakistan wants to receive 
the aid directly, but the reality is that there a complaints about 
the usage of the aid money.  The government of Pakistan should pay 
attention to the fact and should try to secure the confidence of 
important circles of the American administration....  On the other 
hand, U.S. General McChrystal has written a report in which he has 
talked about the threat to U.S. effort in the war against terror 
going down the drain due to increasing Indian influence in 
Afghanistan....  President Zardari and Foreign Minister Qureshi are 
in New York and they should speak with the American President and 
other dignitaries about the content of the U.S. General's report and 
to discuss ways to stop Indian interference in Balochistan....  As 
far as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's proposal for U.S. military 
action inside Pakistan is concerned, the U.S. President and his team 
should know that Pakistan would not tolerate U.S. military action 
inside its territory and Pakistan army reserves the right to 
retaliate." 
 
"Implications Of Indian Presence In Afghanistan," an editorial in 
the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (09/25) 
 
"The latest assessment by the U.S. Commander strengthens the belief 
that Americans generally plan and execute strategies in haste 
without doing necessary homework.  There are no two opinions that 
New Delhi was encouraged and supported by the United States to gain 
a foothold in Afghanistan and increase its political, economic and 
strategic influence there.  This was in line with the U.S. policy of 
giving India greater say in regional affairs without realizing its 
grave consequences....  There is another dimension of the situation 
- if Taliban or ordinary Afghans are not ready to accept presence of 
American or NATO troops on their soil then how can they tolerate 
questionable existence of Indians in their homeland.  While urging 
Pakistani authorities to exercise greater vigilance in thwarting 
Indian designs, we would urge Obama administration to pay heed to 
the assessment of its own general and dissuade India from meddling 
into the internal affairs of Afghanistan and Pakistan." 
 
"General Stanley McChrystal's Report To Pentagon," an editorial in 
the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) 
(09/25) 
 
"U.S. General Stanley McChrystal, in his report to the Pentagon, has 
warned that Indian activities in Afghanistan will stoke tensions in 
the region.  Although General Stanley is right in his assessment 
but, surprisingly, he ignored the important issue of a dozen of 
Indian consulates in Afghanistan which actually operates as the 
outposts of India's intelligence agency 'RAW.'  Established in an 
area which falls under the U.S. suzerainty, these consulates not 
only impart training to the Baloch rebels but also foment terror 
activities in Pakistan.  The U.S. should be held answerable for 
allowing the establishment of these outposts of the RAW." 
 
"Indian Red Rag In Afghanistan," an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (09/25) 
 
"General McChrystal thinks that the growing Indian political and 
economic influence in Afghanistan 'is likely to exacerbate regional 
tensions.'  This is clearly a reference to Pakistan whose Afghan 
policy is greatly influenced by the growing Indian presence in 
Afghanistan.  The burden of his message to President Obama, in 
addition to the increase in troops he has demanded, is that India 
must downsize if Pakistan's cooperation is to continue in 
Afghanistan....  It looks that instead of normalizing their 
relations, India and Pakistan may escalate their conflict.  The 
Afghanistan imbroglio will not be sorted out if this conflict heats 
up....  The Indo-Pak normalization of relations is also important 
because getting India to 'rationalize' its presence in Afghanistan 
is going to be difficult for President Obama.  As long as there are 
tensions between the two countries, the problem in Afghanistan is 
going to become more compounded." 
 
"U.S. Should Rectify Past Mistakes," an editorial in the 
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 
50,000) (09/25) 
 
"America, which does not tire of calling Pakistan an ally, has made 
numerous announcements, but not acted on them.  It is due to 
Pakistan's participation in the war on terror that Indian activities 
near the borders have increased and it has adopted a harsh tone 
against Pakistan.  Suffice it to say that the U.S. is responsible 
for the majority of problems Pakistan faces.  It is encouraging that 
the U.S. President feels that it is time for a new beginning.  We 
feel that if this new beginning means a journey towards peace, the 
U.S. should rectify past mistakes in addition to acknowledging 
them." 
 
"Displacement From Mohmand  Agency Begins Again," an editorial in 
the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) 
(09/25) 
 
"The displaced people had returned to their homes after the 
government cleared 80 percent area of Mohmand Agency.  But now 
hundreds of the families have once again left their homes form three 
tehsils, including Safi, Baizai and Pandiali, during the last four 
to five days.  If this has been cleared then why people are leaving 
their abodes? The government should take immediate steps to 
alleviate the concerns of these people." 
 
"No Cakewalk In Waziristan," an editorial in the country's premier 
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (09/25) 
 
"Despite U.S. officials continuing to press for military operations 
in Waziristan, the army has delayed moving troops into the area. 
Instead it has concentrated on aerial bombardment of suspected 
militant hideouts.  Air attacks and artillery fire however tend to 
increase civilian casualties many fold.  While the government needs 
to eliminate terrorism, it must thoroughly review all aspects of the 
military operation.  Unless civilian casualties are minimal and the 
operation is short and decisive, it might start losing public 
support, which is indispensable for its success." 
 
"Preparing To Beat A Retreat?," an op-ed by Najmuddin A. Shaikh in 
the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (09/25) 
 
"We should note that the International Institute of Strategic 
Studies (IISS), the influential think tank at which President 
Zardari spoke last Friday, has said in its annual review that 
'Pakistan remained the biggest source of instability for 
Afghanistan.'  We should note also that in a recent interview to 
Free Internet Press, Ambassador Patterson talked of the differences 
between Pakistan and the U.S. on the treatment accorded to various 
groups of Afghan Taliban stating that 'Where we differ, of course, 
is the treatment of the groups who are attacking our troops in 
Afghanistan.  And that comes down to Haqqani and Gul Bahadur and 
Nasir, to a lesser extent Hikmatyar....  While she said that 
Pakistan has taken more actions against these groups than was 
generally known, the end picture that emerged from the interview was 
that Americans believe that Pakistan is still playing footsie with 
the Afghan Taliban." 
 
"Reversing 800 Years Of History," an op-ed by Ayaz Amir in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (09/25) 
 
"The fight against the Taliban may yet prove our salvation.  It is 
putting us through a formative experience.  We were not willing to 
take on this fight, using all the mental resources at our disposal 
to avoid it.  But this struggle has been forced on us by 
circumstances. The Taliban had become a domestic headache.  To this 
was added external pressure from the American presence in 
Afghanistan, forcing the Pakistan army to shed indecision and adopt 
a decisive course of action.  What does the idea of Talibanism tell 
us?  That it is a foreign importation and as such alien to our soil 
and condition." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson