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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002571 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, TERRORISM/MILITARY, 
POLITICAL, ECON/BUSINESS, MISCELLANEOUS - OCTOBER 22, 2009 
 
Summary:  Pakistan's decision to avail of the U.S. aid package 
dominated the headlines, along with reports that the U.S. Congress 
may approve new restrictions on military aid to Pakistan.  Reports 
that security forces had secured the hometown of Pakistani Taliban 
Chief Hakimullah Mehsud received wide coverage.  Also front-paged 
were reports that twelve Arab, Pakistani and Afghan militants, were 
killed in N. Waziristan.  Prime Minister Gilani's assurance that Pak 
nuclear assets were safe, was highlighted.  Major newspapers 
reported that the United States has provided $150,000 for bomb 
disposal equipment to the NWFP police. 
 
Commenting on the suicide bombing by the Tehrik-e-Taliban at the 
International Islamic University, the liberal English language 
newspaper, "Daily Times," called it an act of desperation.  "The 
News" however saw it as a more sophisticated method of business 
conducted by the TTP.  All news channels highlighted the shooting in 
Islamabad today of two Pakistani Army personnel.  End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: "Cabinet Formally Accepts The Kerry-Lugar Bill" "Dawn" 
(10/22) 
 
"The federal cabinet formally accepted on Wednesday the Kerry-Lugar 
Bill (Enhanced Partnership Act with Pakistan Bill of 2009). 
Briefing the media after a cabinet meeting, Information Minister 
Qamaruz Zaman Kaira said there were no differences of opinions about 
accepting the assistance under a law which applied to the American 
executive." (Story also front paged in: The News, Daily Times, Jang, 
Ausaf, Nawa-i-Waqt, Express) 
 
News Story: "U.S. To Set New Curbs On Pak Military Aid" "The Nation" 
(10/220 
 
"The U.S. Congress this week may approve tough new restrictions on 
military aid to Pakistan, which has decried similar curbs on 
economic assistance as undermining its sovereignty, aides said 
Wednesday.  The fresh limits include efforts to track where U.S. 
military hardware sent to Pakistan ends up, as well as a warning 
that U.S. aid to Pakistan must not upset "the balance of power in 
the region" - a reference to tensions with India." (Story also front 
paged in: Dawn, The News, The Nation, Jang, Express) 
 
News Story: "Troops Advance To Clear Heights Around Hakimullah's 
Hometown" "Dawn" (10/22) 
 
"Security forces gained some ground as they advanced to clear 
heights surrounding Kotkai, the home town of Tehrik-i-Taliban 
Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud and his deputy Qari Hussain. 
An official told Dawn that the security forces were clearing 
surrounding heights and caves after securing Tor Ghundai, east of 
Kotkai." (Story also front paged in: Daily Times, The News, the 
Nation, Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, Express, Khabrain) 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY 
 
News Story: "12 Die As Blast Rocks North Waziristan Agency" "The 
News" (10/22) 
 
"Twelve people, including Arab, Pakistani and Afghan militants, were 
killed and several others injured, some of them women and children, 
in a mysterious blast in Surkot village, five kilometers east of 
Miramshah, regional headquarters of North Waziristan Agency, on 
Wednesday evening. Among the dead, the name of al-Qaeda operative 
Abu Musa al-Misri was also circulating." 
 
News Story: "Nation Deeply Committed To Eradicate Terrorism; 
Declares Nuclear Assets Absolutely Safe: PM" "The News" (10/22) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured the nation that 
cowardly acts of terrorists will not go unpunished and we are even 
more resolute in our commitment to eradicate the evil of militancy 
from our country. Speaking on Wednesday at a cabinet meeting that he 
chaired at the PM Secretariat, the prime minister assured the nation 
and the international community that Pakistan's nuclear 
infrastructure was totally safe and secure and these terrorists pose 
no threat to our nuclear assets." 
 
News Story: "U.S. Gives $150,000 Bomb Disposal Equipment To NWFP" 
 
"Daily Times" (10/22) 
 
"As part of its continuing collaboration with Pakistani authorities 
to protect people in Pakistan from terrorist bombings, the United 
States government on Wednesday provided $150,000 in bomb disposal 
equipment to the NWFP police.  This contribution is in addition to 
the $1.6 million in ATA training and equipment furnished to the NWFP 
Bomb Disposal Squad previously this year." (Story also covered in: 
The News, The Nation, The Frontier Post, Jang, Express, Aaj Kal, 
Jinnah) 
 
News Story: "Army Hoists National Flag In Shingwari" "Daily Times" 
(10/22) 
 
"Fighter jets pounded Taliban hideouts in South Waziristan on 
Wednesday, as the army hoisted the national flag in the Shingwari 
area on the fifth day of Operation Rah-e-Nijat.  Shingwari's capture 
has been seen as a major success for the military, tribal analysts 
said, as this would allow ground forces to advance towards the 
Chalwashti, Kanniguram and Sam areas." 
 
News Story: "Al Qaeda Operative Abu Musa Killed" "Daily Times" 
(10/22) 
 
"Top Al Qaeda leader Abu Musa al-Misri, expert at preparing suicide 
vehicles, was killed in North Waziristan, a private TV channel 
reported on Wednesday. According to the channel a security official 
said." 
 
News Story: "Five Foreigners Killed In North Waziristan" "Dawn" 
(10/22) 
 
"Five foreign terrorists, one of them an Arab who reportedly trained 
suicide bombers, were killed and four others injured when their 
explosives-laden vehicle exploded in Spilga village in North 
Waziristan on Wednesday, officials said." 
 
News Story: "Waziristan Operation Aims To Destroy Terror Source" 
"Daily Times" (10/22) 
 
"The Pakistan Army's push against the Taliban and Al Qaeda 
terrorists in the Mehsud tribal stronghold of South Waziristan has 
one paramount objective - to destroy the source of terror attacks in 
the country, the BBC reported on Wednesday." 
 
News Story: "Finish Off Taliban Once And For All" "Daily Times" 
(10/22) 
 
"The government needs to finish off the Taliban once and for all in 
an offensive on their South Waziristan stronghold or risk them 
returning stronger and in greater numbers, internally displaced 
persons (IDPs) from South Waziristan say." 
 
News Story: "UN Closes Food Centers In Northwest Pakistan" "The 
News" (10/22) 
 
"The UN World Food Program on Wednesday closed distribution centers 
serving more than two million people in northwest Pakistan over 
security fears, a spokesman for the agency said.  'We have closed 
all our food distribution centers in Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Swat, 
Buner, Dir and Bajaur, which are the humanitarian hubs for 
internally displaced people in the region,' said Amjad Jamal, a 
spokesman for WFP in Islamabad." 
 
News Story: "India Behind Most Terror Attacks, Says Malik" "Dawn" 
(10/22) 
 
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday accused India of 
sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, saying Delhi itself would be 
responsible for any terrorist attack if carried out in future on its 
soil." 
 
News Story: "Malik Wants U.S. Presence With High Explosives Hushed 
Up; Defends U.S. Interests, Warns Durrani" "The Nation" (10/22) 
 
"The Interior Ministry is browbeating the Commandant Police Training 
College Sihala as to why he has written a letter to the Punjab, 
Inspector General of Police (IGP), expressing his concerns over the 
presence of U.S. security officials in the premises of the 
 
institute, the sources told 'The Nation.'  Sources privy to the 
developments said that the Ministry was annoyed with Nasir Khan 
Durrani, Commandant Police Training College Sihala as to why he had 
written a letter to IGP seeking clarification from the Interior 
Ministry and Foreign Office about the terms and conditions of U.S. 
security officials' presence as well as the duration of their stay 
in the college premises." 
 
News Story: "Pak Assures Iran Of Help In Nabbing Bomb Culprits" 
"Dawn" (10/22) 
 
"Pakistan will support Iran in tracking down those responsible for a 
suicide bomb attack in southeastern Iran, Pakistan's foreign 
minister said on Wednesday, as calls in Iran grew for the 
perpetrators to be punished....  Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah 
Mehmood Qureshi declined to comment on the television report and 
said an Iranian delegation was due in Pakistan for talks." 
 
Editorial: "Striking Islamic University In Islamabad," an editorial 
in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" 
(cir. 10,000) (10/22) 
 
"The attack on the university reveals the changing temperament of 
the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its increasing 
desperation....  The terrorists have gradually abandoned the broad 
support they had among the largely conservative majority of 
Pakistan's population. By doing what they did in Swat they proved 
that it was a deliberate act. From a majority of those who accepted 
the 'cause' of the Taliban, the country now has a minority that 
would still support the so-called "Islamic enterprise" their leader 
Hakimullah has announced from South Waziristan. This is the moment 
when the resolve to face up to the challenge of terrorism should 
become even stronger." 
 
Editorial: "A State Of war," an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/22) 
 
"The bombers are adapting to the need of the hour and becoming ever 
more sophisticated in the way they go about their business. Many are 
now clean-shaven and fair-skinned, they are sometimes dressing in 
modern casual clothing or the all-concealing burqa (and the most 
diligent security guard is going to think twice about demanding to 
search a person wearing a burqa) and have learned to blend with the 
environment they seek to attack." 
 
Editorial: "The Wrong Target?," an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/22) 
 
"If the military campaign in Waziristan succeeds this time round, 
and the Taliban are genuinely defeated, the need will arise to win 
back the loyalty of these [displaced] people.  This will not be 
easy.  Militants have held sway here for years.  Alongside the 
secret negotiations with Mehsud tribesmen and the other efforts to 
break up backing for the TTP, ordinary people too need to be 
persuaded that state forces have respect for them and are willing to 
help them.  This can play a key role in deciding which side they 
take - and their support will be a vital one in winning this war 
which will not end with the destruction of militant bases." 
 
Editorial: "A Confused Government," an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/22) 
 
"With an ongoing military operation and rampant terrorism across the 
country, the first priority for the government should have been to 
establish clarity of purpose and strategy. Unfortunately, that is 
still missing and this weakness stands exposed today as never 
before. A mere glance at the babble of statements coming forth from 
government personnel, shows the confusion and panic gripping those 
who should be allaying people's fears and providing credible 
leadership." 
 
Editorial: "Terrorism: Nation Has To Pay Price," an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (10/22) 
 
"Tuesday's dastardly suicide bombing of the International Islamic 
University (IIU) has exposed hollowness of the claims of the 
militants that they were pursuing a religious cause....  But the 
development also indicates how critical the situation is and that 
 
there is a dire need to take a decisive action against terrorists 
and their backers, as this is the only way to avert a 
catastrophe....  Now we have reached a stage where we have two 
options - surrender before foreign-aided terrorists and let them 
establish their own writ/control of the administration or fight back 
with courage and determination.  The second option is the only way 
forward as every segment of the society is now convinced that the 
menace of terrorism was playing havoc with the country and is 
backing the Government and the armed forces in their bid to 
reestablish the writ of the state." 
 
Editorial: "Suicide Attacks In Islamic University And The Closure Of 
Educational Institutions," an editorial in the liberal Urdu daily 
"Express" (circ. 25000) (10/22) 
 
"For the first time in the country's history, all four provinces 
have closed down educational institutions due to the increasing 
terrorist activities. Even before this latest wave of terrorism, the 
federal and provincial governments were aware that educational 
institutions could be the next target. We would not have surrendered 
to terrorists like this had proper and timely security arrangements 
been in place.... The terrorists will have a field day if our rulers 
continue sitting idle. There is a need to give a befitting response 
to the terrorists otherwise they will continue to grow in strength. 
Instead of waiting for the terrorists' next act, it is important to 
crush their heinous designs before they are implemented." 
 
Editorial: "U.S. Control Of Sihala College?," an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/22) 
 
"Sihala Police Training College Commandant's letter and subsequent 
American Embassy's clarification do not bring to fore any cause for 
concern.  We will request the government of Punjab to hold a high 
level enquiry vis-`-vis the letter.  A clarification should be 
sought from the U.S. Embassy if the Commandant's complaint is 
correct and if the complaint is incorrect and unfounded then the 
department should take disciplinary action against the officer." 
 
Editorial: "Terrorism And Indian War Preparations: The Enemy Is At 
Our Door," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu 
daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/22) 
 
"India has started deploying more troops on the Line of Control.... 
While fighting the war of American interests our Army's attention is 
focused on South Waziristan operation.  Taking advantage of the 
situation our cunning enemy, India has opened fronts against our 
security....  Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said before 
Indian Commanders annual meeting in New Delhi that the security 
situation of our neighboring country is falling apart and is posing 
a threat to the security of South Asia including India....  If the 
enemy is preparing for a decisive war against our security then we 
have the right to defend our security, independence and sovereignty. 
 We did not make nuclear bombs to put in a showcase." 
 
Editorial: "Pak-Iran Tensions," an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(10/22) 
 
"In the wake of Sunday's attack by Jundullah in Sistan-Baluchestan, 
senior Iranian officials have issued blunt statements against 
Pakistan....  For its part, the Pakistani government has strenuously 
denied any link to Jundullah and promised to extend all cooperation 
possible to the Iranian authorities. What are we to make of all 
this? First, the issue of Jundullah and its presence inside 
Pakistan. In the shadowy world of militancy very little is known for 
certain, but it does seem likely that Jundullah exists in some form 
in Balochistan and perhaps even FATA....  So while the state must 
clamp down on such forms of militancy harder, our neighbors should 
avoid falling into the militants' trap." 
 
Opinion: "Common Pain?," an op-ed by Tanweer Qaiser Shahid in the 
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (circ. 25000) (10/22) 
 
"The snake we fed under state supervision to defeat Russian infidels 
in Afghanistan has now come home to kill us. What could be more 
tragic and discouraging than the fact that just when our courageous 
soldiers and officers are descending into Waziristan to take on the 
enemies of Islam, some amongst us are  still making sympathetic 
statements in favor of  those who slaughter innocent human beings in 
 
the name of jihad?... One such [phone] call - by a person who does 
politics in the name of religion - was intercepted yesterday where 
he  was telling terrorists in  Waziristan: My importance in 
Islamabad will increase only when you do something,  only then will 
I be able to offer mediation. This is how our trust is being 
betrayed. Ever since President Zardari and PM Gillani's government 
took over, the Tehrik-i-Taliban have carried out  121 attacks in 
different cities of Pakistan, killing 1896 innocent persons and 
destroying as many families. These are the so called 'Mujahideen of 
Islam' about whom Maulana Fazlur Rehman says: 'it is unfair to use 
force against them.' These are the 'assets' for whom Jamaat-i-Islami 
chief Munawar Hasan feels deep and abiding love and says: 'there 
should be a dialogue with them." Dear sir, how can there be dialogue 
with a ruthless killer who enters your home and puts a knife to your 
loved one's throat?" 
 
Opinion: "KLB (Kerry-Lugar Bill) Is Not The Issue," an editorial in 
the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily 
"Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/22) 
 
"Pakistan joined this war at someone else's behest and with someone 
else's money. But right now, the entire country is the battleground 
and the entire population a potential target as underlined by the 
despicable attack on the Islamic University in Islamabad. We cannot 
win it with a half-hearted anti-'Jihadi' stance that sees fit to use 
'good Taliban' against 'bad Taliban' - and unless the 
'establishment' (army-bureaucracy-intelligence agencies) removes its 
traditional anti-India blinkers." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: "Joint Session Of Parliament Summoned On 26th" "Daily 
Times" 10/22) 
 
"A joint session of parliament has been summoned on October 26. 
According to official sources, Turkish Prime Minister Receb Tayyab 
Erdogan, scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on a two-day visit, would 
also address the joint sitting of both Houses." 
 
News Story: "Zardari, Nawaz To Meet Next Week" "Daily Times" 
(10/22) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has decided to meet Pakistan Muslim 
League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif next week, in a bid to 
strengthen relations with the country's political leadership, a 
private TV channel reported on Wednesday. According to the channel, 
President Zardari told a Pakistan People's Party (PPP) delegation 
from Sargodha that he would meet Nawaz next week. The president will 
discuss the country's political and security situation, with a focus 
on the military operation in South Waziristan. He will also discuss 
the government's anti-terror policy." 
 
ECON/BUSINESS 
 
News Story: "Peshawar Hotel Deal With U.S. In Jeopardy" "Dawn" 
(10/22) 
 
"A deal for purchase of Peshawar's sole five-star hotel, bombed in 
June, by the US administration for housing its consulate in the 
provincial capital is in jeopardy after reservations expressed by 
different quarters, it is learnt.  'The deal seems over now because 
of many ifs and buts attached to it,' a well-placed source told 
'Dawn' here on Wednesday.  The United States diplomatic mission in 
Islamabad and Peshawar had been in contact with different parties to 
purchase a new and comparatively safe place for housing its 
consulate in Peshawar. The management of Pearl Continental Hotel was 
one of such parties approached for the purpose, the source said. 
According to the source, negotiations are still in progress for 
purchasing a suitable place, including the Pearl Continental Hotel, 
but no deal has been finalized." 
 
News Story: "U.S. Refuses To Invest In Public Power Sector" ""The 
News" (10/22) 
 
"In a blunt show of its absolute absence of confidence, Washington 
has declined to pump investment in public sector power projects and 
has instead declared its willingness to bailout Pakistan from the 
crippling energy crisis through private sector projects.  'This 
impression was inferred during dialogue between the U.S. officials 
 
and private stakeholders in energy sector of Pakistan,' 'The News' 
has learned through reliable sources." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story: "1,200 U.S. Military Officials Issued Visas" "The 
Nation" (10/220 
 
"Pakistan's embassy in United States has issued 26 diplomatic visas 
to American diplomats, 1200 to U.S. army officials and 2500 to U.S. 
citizens travelling for Afghanistan during last 15 months.  Embassy 
Spokesman told this news agency that since last June to September 
this year, 12000 to 13000 Pakistani Americans were issued visas. In 
response to a question regarding security background, the spokesman 
said that Foreign Office approved issuance of diplomatic visas while 
Defence Department issue clearance for visas to persons related to 
Defence department. These visas are issued on the request of U.S. 
State Department." 
 
News Story: "University-Based 'Incubation Center' To Help Young 
Agricultural Entrepreneurs Compete" "Ausaf" (10/22) 
 
"Minister of Finance Shaukat Tarin today underscored the importance 
of agriculture in strengthening Pakistan's economy at the 
inauguration of a new academic facility to fast-track growth of 
agricultural businesses.  At a ceremony today inaugurating a new 
Business Incubation Center, Minister Tarin was joined by Ambassador 
Robin L. Raphel, Coordinator for Economic and Development Assistance 
at the U.S. Embassy and officials from the Competitive Support Fund 
(CSF), a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance and the U.S. 
Mission in Pakistan." 
 
News Story: "U.S. Congressman Snubs PML-N Senator" "The News" 
(10/22) 
 
"A situation was created at the Capitol Hill on Tuesday afternoon 
when Republican Congressman from 10th District of Virginia Frank 
Wolf snubbed PML-N Senator Syed Zafar Ali Shah who had come here to 
express the party's point of view over the Kerry-Lugar Bill.  'I 
know why are you here, if you don't like the bill don't take the 
money,' said an angry Frank Wolf when he saw Syed Zafar Ali Shah in 
his chamber. However, the PML-N senator did not lose his patience 
and tried to explain the situation but Frank Wolf was not in a mood 
to listen to any argument." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson