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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002632 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, SECRETARY CLINTON'S 
VISIT, TERRORISM/MILITARY, POLITICAL, ECON/BUSINESS, MISCELLANEOUS - 
 
OCTOBER 29, 2009 
 
Summary:  Reports and photographs of a powerful bomb explosion at a 
crowded market in Peshawar killing over 100 people dominated all 
front pages on Thursday and somewhat overshadowed coverage of 
Secretary Clinton's first day of the official visit to Pakistan. 
Nevertheless, all newspapers and TV channels highlighted her 
meetings with senior Pakistani officials, and other engagements. 
Secretary Clinton's desire to "speak directly to the people of 
Pakistan," and to "reverse some of the misperceptions" resonated 
well with all the dailies which also highlighted unveiling of 125 
million dollar U.S. program to support Pakistan's energy 
development. Commenting on Secretary Clinton's visit, the English 
language daily, "The Nation," noted that the visit "has not brought 
anything new for the Pakistani people."  Another English daily, 
"Business Recorder," observed that "her (Secretary Clinton's) 
curtain-raiser that U.S. wants to turn a 'new page' in ties with 
Pakistan is welcome but nobody would like to see that page inscribed 
with Joe's (Biden) 'Pakistan first." In other news, reports that the 
security forces surrounded Kaniguram, an important base of Uzbek 
militants in South Waziristan also figure prominently.  End 
Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: "Peshawar Bomb Targets Women, Children" "Dawn" (10/29) 
 
"At least 101 people, mostly women and children, were killed and 
over 150 injured when a huge car bomb ripped through a crowded 
market in Peshawar on Wednesday. The blast triggered a huge fire 
which engulfed a number of buildings near the Meena Bazaar. A plume 
of dust and smoke billowed from narrow lanes of the market situated 
in the old part of the city." (Story also front paged in all 
newspapers) 
 
News Story: "$125 million energy aid plan unveiled" "Business 
Recorder" (10/29) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday unveiled a 
125-million-dollar program to improve the country's inadequate 
electricity supply. Hillary also announced the first phase of the 
energy program, which would help repair power facilities and promote 
energy efficiency. The projects, she said, have been designed in 
close collaboration and consultations with Pakistan government.... 
Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Shah 
Mehmood Qureshi, she said her country wants to open a new chapter in 
relations for a strong and stable Pakistan. (Story also front paged 
in all newspapers) 
 
SECRETARY CLINTON'S VISIT 
 
News Story: "Hillary Cautions Against Playing Up U.S.-Pak 
Differences" "Dawn" 10/29) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton kicked off on Wednesday her 
mission to win hearts and minds of Pakistanis by reaching out to the 
people and clarifying to them Washington's intentions and 
commitments for Pakistan. 'We are going to do everything we can to 
speak directly to the people of Pakistan. I'm specifically here to 
reverse some of those misperceptions. I feel very strongly about 
it,' said Ms. Clinton at a joint media conference with Foreign 
Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office after their 
meeting." (Story also front paged in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: "Pakistan Has Clear Vision Against Militancy" "The News" 
(10/29) 
 
"Pakistan on Wednesday told the U.S. that it has a clear vision and 
strategy to root out militancy from its soil while at the same time 
it will not compromise on its national security interests. 
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani 
told the visiting U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, 
in their separate meetings in Islamabad that the country needed 
assistance in critical areas of social and economic development." 
 
News Story: "Pakistan wants to build long term partnership with 
U.S.: PM" "The News" (10/29) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said that 
 
Pakistan wishes to build a long term and stable partnership with the 
U.S. based on mutual trust and respect. Talking to U.S. Secretary of 
State Hillary Clinton, the Prime Minister urged the U.S. 
administration to support Pakistan by enhancing trade between the 
two countries through increased market access rather than aid. The 
U.S. should hence start negotiations on Free Trade Agreement with 
Pakistan, he added." 
 
News Story: "Pakistan to Help U.S. Win Over Moderate Taliban: 
Hillary" "The News" (10/29) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the U.S., 
with the help of Pakistani government and intelligence agencies, is 
engaging in a process to separate those groups of the Taliban who 
were not committed with the ideology of Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. 
The Pakistani government can do the same in the case of Pakistan as 
well, she said." 
 
News Story: "Hillary Condemns Peshawar Attack" "Daily Times" 
(10/29) 
 
"Hillary pledged all-out support for Pakistan, which is currently 
reeling from a barrage of terrorist attacks, including one that 
ripped through a crowded market in Peshawar hours after she arrived 
in Pakistan. She condemned the Peshawar attack, and praised the 
army's efforts in the war on terror." 
 
News Story: "Best Man Should Head ISI, Kerry-Lugar Bill 
'Misinterpreted'" "Daily Times" (10/29) 
 
The U.S. is not pressurizing Pakistan to accept the Kerry-Lugar 
legislation and the country can refuse to take the aid package, U.S. 
secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday.  According to 
a private TV channel, Clinton told reporters that Pakistan's 
concerns over the legislation were due to a misinterpretation of the 
legislation.... 'Whoever heads ISI, he should be competent and the 
best choice (of Pakistan),' she said." 
 
News Story: "All Set For Hillary's Lahore visit" "Dawn" (10/29) 
 
"More than 1,000 police will perform security and other related 
duties during the Lahore visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton on Thursday (today)." 
 
News Story: "Lahore Police Rehearse For Hillary's Security" "Daily 
Times" (10/29) 
 
"Security personnel on Wednesday stage a rehearsal of the security 
arrangements along the route U.S. Secretary of State Hillary 
Clinton's convoy will travel upon her arrival to the city on 
Thursday (today). 
 
News Story: "Hillary May Not Visit Data Darbar" "Dawn" (10/29) 
 
"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may not visit the shrine of 
Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh and some other places during her stay in the 
city on Thursday (today) because of security reasons, according to 
official sources on Wednesday." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: "Troops surround 'Uzbek base' in S. Waziristan" "Dawn" 
(10/29) 
 
"Security forces have surrounded Kaniguram, an important base of 
Uzbek militants in South Waziristan, from three directions and 
preparing to storm the town. Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira 
and Armed Forces Spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told newsmen on 
Wednesday that important fronts around the town had been secured." 
(Story also front paged in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: "Sadda Placed Under Indefinite Curfew" "Dawn" "(10/29) 
 
"The local administration imposed a curfew for an indefinite period 
in Sadda, the tehsil headquarters of Lower Kurram tribal region, on 
Wednesday." 
 
News Story: "Taliban, Al-Qaeda Disown Blast" "The News" (10/29) 
 
"The Taliban and al-Qaeda have denied involvement in the Peshawar 
bomb blast and said they do not explode bombs in bazaars and 
mosques. According to a statement of al-Qaeda, they are not involved 
in the killing of innocent people. According to al-Qaeda sources, 
the elements, who want to defame Jihad and refugees, are behind the 
Peshawar bomb blast." 
 
News Story: "Death Toll From Attack Highest in Peshawar's History 
"Daily Times" (10/29) 
 
"Wednesday's bomb blast in the provincial capital was the worst in 
the city's 2,000-year history, as the previous highest death toll in 
such a despicable attack was 66, way back in 1996." 
 
News Story: "UN, U.S., U.K. outraged at Peshawar blast" "Daily 
Times" (10/29) 
 
"UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Wednesday said he was outraged 
by the 'appalling' bomb attack in Peshawar. Ban condemned the 
'appalling bomb attack in Peshawar today' and said, 'I want to 
express my outrage at the loss of so many innocent lives.'... 
Separately, the White House condemned the terrorist attack in 
Peshawar and expressed condolences to the victims. White House 
spokesman Robert Gibbs said the bombing showed the extent to which 
terrorists were willing to go and the type of threat they posed for 
both Pakistan and the U.S. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband 
called the attack in Peshawar 'despicable.'" 
 
News Story: "Forces Close In On Srarogha" "The News" (10/29) 
 
"Security forces were only a few kilometers from Srarogha, the 
stronghold of the Hakimullah Mehsud-led militants, on the 12th day 
of the operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan Agency on 
Wednesday. Sources said some militants were fleeing to North 
Waziristan from the Srarogha side and via the Shawal Road from 
Makeen due to increased pressure from the advancing troops." 
 
News Story: "Terrorists Getting Over $5 Billion From ATT: ISPR" 
"Business Recorder" (10/29) 
 
"Terrorists are getting over $5 billion from Afghan Transit Trade, 
besides funding from local and foreign organizations who want to 
fulfill their agendas, said Major General Athar Abbas, Director 
General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in Islamabad on 
Wednesday." 
 
News Story: "U.S. Not Quitting The Region, Says White House" "Dawn" 
(10/29) 
 
"Hours after deadly terror attacks killed scores of people in 
Pakistan and Afghanistan, the White House assured the world on 
Wednesday that it had no plans to quit the region. Recent reports in 
the international media had suggested that a rapid increase in 
attacks on U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan might force the 
United States to leave that country." 
 
Editorial: "Hillary's Tubewells!" an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/29) 
 
"Hillary Clinton's visit has not brought anything new for the 
Pakistani people....  On our energy problem, Ms. Clinton merely 
declared that the U.S. is committed to addressing the issue; but if 
its way of dealing with it is to demand that we end subsidies and 
abandon the Iran pipeline project then we are better off without 
their help. If the U.S. is serious it should sign an India-like 
civil nuclear deal with Pakistan but who out of the present 
leadership will demand this and stick to it? And that is the problem 
with Pakistan's U.S. relationship. The U.S. approach towards 
Pakistan was summed up in the visual of Holbrooke slumped in his 
chair, chewing gum nonchalantly in the talks. After all, they have 
what they want from Pakistan. Our tragedy is that amongst all the 
U.S.-groveling, there is no one left to speak for Pakistan." 
 
Editorial: "The Shifting Sands" an editorial in the country's 
premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) 
(10/29) 
 
"As a directly affected neighbor of Afghanistan we are caught by the 
dilemma - more U.S. troops mean more pressure on Afghan Taliban 
 
triggering greater inflow of Afghan refugees and lesser troops mean 
unprotected border with danger of free-flow of infiltrators like the 
one we had when U.S. vacated some of its posts on Afghan border 
adjacent to South Waziristan. Now that Secretary of State Clinton is 
here the host government should apprise her of the negative fallout 
of slogans like VP Biden's 'Pakistan first'. Her curtain-raiser that 
U.S. wants to turn a 'new page' in ties with Pakistan is welcome but 
nobody would like to see that page inscribed with Joe's 'Pakistan 
first.'  Mind you Pakistani military is fighting "militants" and not 
the "Taliban" in South Waziristan - a role-reversal not merely of 
semantics but the one that is dictated by the emerging ground 
reality." 
 
Editorial: "Turning The Page" an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/29) 
 
"The conflation of 'Af/Pak' in the minds of American strategists who 
may be unfamiliar with the region and its complex cultural weave has 
led to a 'running together' of the two nations as if they were 
somehow extensions of one another rather than discrete entities. In 
terms of policy towards Pakistan the American administration has 
been described as 'dithering' both on a Pakistani independent TV 
channel and in print. 'Dithering' we don't need at this point. 
'Decisive' and 'clear' we do. Over to you, Mrs. Clinton." 
 
Editorial: "Peshawar Bombing" an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(10/29) 
 
"The grotesqueness of the bombing cannot be overstated; a place 
chock-full of civilians was deliberately targeted and the bomb 
hidden in a car was meant to cause the maximum loss of life 
possible. What was the motive?... Counter-terrorism measures in the 
cities are being ramped up, but arguably the time has come to 
discard slow and desultory measures and instead deploy a dragnet to 
scoop up all manner of suspects across the country. A few dozen 
suspects arrested here and another handful detained there are 
yielding breakthroughs, but the intelligence and law-enforcement 
personnel are well behind the steep curve of violence. As the 
militants ramp up their terror campaign, the state must be more 
forceful in its counter-terrorism measures." 
 
Editorial: "Blitzed" an editorial in the populist, often sensational 
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/29) 
 
"Extremism, whatever the historical reasons that are bent around 
trying to understand it and place it in our national and cultural 
context, now envelops all of us in a deadly and debilitating 
cloud.... The government is standing fast and firm in Waziristan, 
but the blowback is there for us all to see every day....  There 
will be other blasts in the future, as there have been today and in 
the past. Some terrorists we will intercept, but it only needs one 
to get through. The blitz they inflict on us may be awful but we 
must show our resolve, our unwillingness to be cowed, and say 'No, 
you shall not pass, neither shall we give you relief now get you 
hence, Beast, because this is our land, not yours.'" 
 
Editorial: "Peshawar Massacre" an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (10/29) 
 
"The country has seen an increase in such attacks as the military 
carries out an operation against Taliban militants in South 
Waziristan. The federal and provincial governments have to remain 
steadfast in curbing the ongoing militancy. The militants are trying 
to use terror attacks as baits so that the government may be 
pressurized into ending the military operation in Waziristan. Once 
these areas are cleared of the Taliban, the government should ensure 
that extremists do not re-emerge in the area. The operation in 
Waziristan should be taken to its logical end, as leaving it halfway 
could prove to be disastrous." 
 
Editorial: "Rah-e-Nijat Should Not Be Limitless" an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (10/29) 
 
"Being Army Chief and in charge of the operation, he is naturally in 
a better position to judge the ground situation and come out with 
this kind of analysis. It could also be a message to the militants 
that the army has no intention to roll back the operation and would 
 
take it to its logical conclusion. It is important that the armed 
forces must fully accomplish the job this time as incomplete 
operations of the past created more complications and encouraged 
terrorists to persist with their anti-state activities. Therefore, 
the operation should be decisive." 
 
Editorial: "A Regional Approach To Afghanistan" an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (10/29) 
 
"Many critics in Pakistan think that peace will return to 
Afghanistan and Pakistan if the U.S.-NATO forces leave Afghanistan. 
They also link 'normalization' of Pakistan's internal situation to 
this grand exit. There are others who simply want to relish the 
'defeat' of the Americans in Afghanistan without paying regard to 
what will happen in Afghanistan and the region this time around. It 
is quite obvious that if the neighbors pursue their separate 
strategies they will only end up hurting each other....  Pakistan 
has an entre in the SCO (Shanghai cooperation Organization). It has 
China there as its friend. The only problem country is India with 
which it is trying to get into a 'normalizing' dialogue. In America 
too some sensible critics of Washington's policy want a 'regional' 
approach to Afghanistan to replace the armies of reluctant NATO 
states cowed by increasingly threatening Gallup polls at home." 
 
"New Strategic Reshuffle In The Region" an op-ed by Nazir Naji in 
the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily 
"Jang" (cir. 300,000) (10/29) 
 
"Secretary Clinton is visiting the region at a time when the Obama 
Administration is in utter confusion regarding its Afghan policy. 
The Taliban have increased the frequency of suicide attacks in which 
hundreds of the foreign troops have been killed. They want to 
further lower the morale of U.S. and the NATO forces present on 
their soil before Hillary Clinton's visit of Kabul. The Afghan war 
has become the hottest issue of debate among influential political 
circle and policy-makers in Washington.  The Obama Administration 
and the top U.S. military officials are suspicious that Pakistan is 
supporting the Taliban fighters. They are sure that without such 
clandestine backing, the Taliban cannot continue their resistance. 
It seems that Secretary Clinton's  visit is a fact-finding mission 
and the Obama Administration will formulate its new Afghan policy in 
light of her report." 
 
"Light Is Not Far Away" an op-ed by Hamid Mir in the leading mass 
circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (10/29) 
 
"The roaming of armed Americans on the roads of Islamabad has become 
a routine matter. A few days back, the police arrested four U.S. 
nationals along with their weapons on the Jinnah Avenue, but they 
were released immediately on the orders of Inspector General 
Islamabad Police. As per reports, some relatives of this top cop 
have rented their houses to the Americans, so he has 'good' reason 
to entertain the Americans. But a large majority of Pakistanis 
cannot barter their national honor for dollars. The Obama 
Administration must keep it in mind that the so-called liberal NGOs, 
which are going to be the major beneficiaries of dollars under the 
Kerry-Lugar Bill, can do nothing to help lessen the hatred against 
the United States among Pakistanis." 
 
Opinion: "Waziristan: The Last Bastion Of Terrorists" an op-ed by 
Shaukat Qadir in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily 
"Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/29) 
 
"So far the army is meeting its timetable for the offensive, but 
progress from here onwards is likely to be much slower as the lines 
of communication are extended and become vulnerable to guerrilla 
action. Despite the difficulties, it appears that the Pakistan Army 
is likely to succeed in retaking South Waziristan; while the U.S. 
helps both protagonists!" 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: "Presidency Left With Single Option" "The News" (10/29) 
 
 
"Events that will unfold in the next one month may prove critical 
for the future of Asif Ali Zardari as the President of Pakistan, 
 
according to several knowledgeable politicians, well-placed 
officials and an important presidential aide." 
 
News Story: "Zardari, Nawaz Discussed Power" "Dawn" (10/29) 
 
"All that happened at a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari 
and Nawaz Sharif was a discussion on power sharing, says Pakistan 
Muslim League-Quaid President Chaudhry Shujaat Husain....  He said 
that hype was created around the meeting of two 'big' leaders, but 
both 'failed' to register any progress on any of the national 
issues." 
 
News Story: "Nisar Vows No Easy NRO Passage As Na Committee Meets 
Today" "Daily Times" (10/29) 
 
"The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will resist the ruling 
Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) efforts to get the National 
Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) passed through a parliamentary 
committee smoothly, PML-N Leader Chaudhry Nisar said on Wednesday." 
 
 
ECON/BUSINESS 
 
News Story: "Provinces Offered Up To 60pc Of Divisible Pool" "Dawn" 
(10/29) 
 
"The federal government offered three options to the provinces on 
Wednesday about their share in the divisible pool in the next 
National Finance Commission award - 50, 55 or 60 per cent. 'It is 
not possible for the federation to give anything beyond 60 per cent 
in the current fiscal situation,' an official of the finance 
ministry said after a preparatory meeting of the secretaries' 
committee of the commission ahead of an NFC meeting scheduled to be 
held in Peshawar on Thursday and Friday." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story: "NA Committee Probing Blackwater Presence In Pakistan To 
Meet Today" "Daily Times" (10/29) 
 
News Story: "Six UN Staff Among 12 Killed In Kabul Attack" "The 
News" (10/29) 
 
"Taliban militants wearing suicide vests and police uniforms stormed 
a guest house used by the UN staff in the heart of the Afghan 
capital early on Wednesday, killing 12 people, including six UN 
staff members." 
 
News Story: "New U.S. Defence Bill Will 'Pay' Taliban To Switch 
Sides" "Daily Times" (10/29) 
 
"The Defence Bill U.S. President Barack Obama will sign into law 
today (Wednesday) contains a new provision that would pay Taliban 
who renounce the insurgency, Senate Armed Services Committee 
Chairman Carl Levin said on Tuesday." 
 
News Story: "New U.S. Bill May Ban Iran's Gas Suppliers" "Daily 
Times" (10/29) 
 
"Iran's main gas suppliers, including British, French, Swiss and 
Indian firms, may face tough U.S. sanctions under a bill that sailed 
through a key House of Representatives panel on Wednesday. By a 
voice vote, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved legislation 
aimed at tightening the economic vise on the Islamic republic over 
its suspected nuclear program, which the West charges hides an 
effort to get atomic weapons." 
 
News Story: "Ramzi's Wife Dubs U.S. Inhumane" "The Nation" (10/29) 
 
"The United States, the so-called champion of human rights has scant 
regard for the humanity and it has wrecked havoc with the meaning of 
justice and humanity.  The wife of Abdul Basit alias Ramzi Yousaf 
expressed these views during an exclusive talk with 'The Nation' 
during her visit to Karachi from Zahidan, Iran on Wednesday." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson