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SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: NOVEMBER 24, 2009 
 
Media Reaction Summary: November 24, 2009 
 
Summary:  Ambassador Holbrooke's remarks that "Pakistan is being 
closely consulted" on the ongoing policy-making process on 
Afghanistan received prominent display in several major newspapers. 
Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani's statement that the "U.S. would 
have to take Pakistan on board" while formulating its new Afghan 
policy dominated headlines on Tuesday. All newspapers highlighted 
reports and photographs of the rollout ceremony of Pakistan's first 
JF-17 Thunder aircraft built with Chinese cooperation.  Reports of 
the U.S. "back-channel" talks with Afghan Taliban also received 
front-page coverage.  Also highlighted were remarks of Pakistan's 
permanent Envoy to the UN Hussain Haroon that "Pakistan is 'proud' 
of its relationship with the United States."  "The Nation" reported 
that the Interior Ministry has informed the Supreme Court of 
Pakistan that the "majority of missing persons were sold to U.S. in 
Afghanistan for millions of dollars by the previous government." In 
his op-ed in "The News," Senator Mushahid Hussain, advised the 
government to "wake up from its slumber and get cracking on forging 
a doable counter-terror strategy, which would be a force multiplier 
for the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign."  End Summary. 
 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: Pakistan Is Closely Consulted On Afghanistan: Holbrooke 
"The News" (11/24) 
 
"U.S. official envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke 
rejected on Monday Islamabad's complaint that the U.S. had not 
consulted Pakistan as closely as it should have on the ongoing 
policy-making process on Afghanistan. The U.S., he said, had 
consulted 'no other country more closely than Pakistan' on this 
issue because no other country was more directly linked to it." 
(Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: U.S. Can't Ignore Pakistan: Kayani "The News" (11/24) 
 
"Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has stressed 
that Washington will have to keep Pakistan on board while reviewing 
its Afghan policy. He said Islamabad has a key role in ensuring and 
maintaining peace in the region. The Army chief, jubilant over the 
achievements of his troops first in Swat-Malakand and now in South 
Waziristan, was informally talking to reporters at the historic 
ceremony of the rolling out of the JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter 
plane of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)." (Story also covered in all 
newspapers) 
 
News Story: First JF-17 Thunder Handed Over To PAF: Self-Reliance In 
Defence Vital For Progress: PM "The News" (11/24) 
 
"Progress and prosperity cannot be achieved without achieving 
self-reliance in defence production, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza 
Gilani said on Monday. Gilani was addressing a gathering of local 
and foreign dignitaries and military officials at the handing-over 
ceremony of the JF-17 Thunder, manufactured with Chinese assistance, 
to the PAF." (Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: U.S. In Back-Channel Talks With Afghan Taliban "Dawn" 
(11/24) 
 
"After fighting a bloody war in Afghanistan for more than eight 
years, the United States appears to have undertaken a re-think of 
its policy and has started engaging the Taliban in negotiations 
through Saudi and Pakistani intelligence agencies, highly-placed 
sources told 'Dawn' on Monday." (Story also covered in all 
newspapers) 
 
News Story: Pakistan 'Proud' of Its Ties With U.S.: Haroon "The 
Nation" (11/24) 
 
"Pakistan is 'proud' of its relationship with the United States, 
saying it has always given political, diplomatic and strategic 
support to American objectives without any quid pro quo,  Ambassador 
Abdullah Hussain Haroon told medical doctors of Pakistani descent at 
their annual dinner on Saturday night...." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: Missing Persons Sold To U.S. in Afghanistan, SC Told 
"The Nation" (11/24) 
 
"Majority of missing persons had been shifted to Kabul first and 
then handed over to the United States, earning bounties totaling 
millions of dollars, according to a report on mission persons 
presented by acting Attorney General Shah Khawar before the Supreme 
Court of Pakistan." 
 
News Story: 17 Militants Killed In Orakzai Blitz "The News" (11/24) 
 
 
"Security forces claimed to have killed 17 militants in the 
Shahukhel area in Orakzai Agency on Monday, while six civilians died 
when a shell fired by security forces landed in a civilian area in 
the neighboring Khyber Agency." (Story also covered in all 
newspapers) 
 
News Story: Nine Militants Killed In SWA: ISPR "The News" (11/24) 
 
"Nine militants were killed and three soldiers sustained injuries in 
the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijaat in South Waziristan Agency on 
Monday. A media update of the military-run Inter-Services Public 
Relations (ISPR) said security forces cleared the Golden Top west of 
Pash Ziarat and Tabai Sar and consolidated their positions around 
Lakhi Ghund and Bunker ridge on the Razmak-Makeen axis." 
 
News Story: Six Civilians Killed In Landi Kotal Attack "Dawn" 
(11/24) 
 
"Six civilians were killed and 12 others injured when militants 
attacked a security post in Landi Kotal bazaar with rockets on 
Monday. Seven security personnel suffered injuries, an 
administration official said." 
 
Editorial: A Proud Moment, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (11/24) 
 
"Pakistan has produced its first JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat 
aircraft, which has been handed over to Pakistan Air Force (PAF).... 
It is indeed a moment of pride for the Pakistani nation that the 
country has produced its first indigenously assembled fighter 
jet.... By producing indigenous aircraft, Pakistan would be saving a 
lot of money and would not have to depend on countries like the U.S. 
in the future. In the past, we have had to lose a lot of money when 
the U.S. backed out of its F-16 deal with us." 
 
Editorial: Magnificent Roll Out Of JF-17, an editorial in the 
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 
5,000) (11/24) 
 
"The skies of Pakistan witnessed one of the most fascinating and 
thrilling events in the history of the country as the first 
indigenously co-produced (with China) multi-role fighter aircraft 
rolled out at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra on Monday.... 
This is indeed a milestone in the defence production arena for a 
variety of reasons.... On this occasion, the nation also expresses 
its gratitude to the time-tested friend of the country - China - of 
which strategic support helped realize this dream. We are confident 
that it would join hands in other areas of the defence production as 
well as both of them face similar long-term threats to their 
respective security." 
 
Editorial: On The Run, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/24) 
 
"As militants from South Waziristan remain on the run, the military 
is now reported to be moving in after them into the Kurram Agency 
and more parts of Bajaur. There has also been movement by troops in 
the Bara tehsil of the Khyber Agency.... It seems that the military 
has finally realized that there is no option but to go after the 
militants with all the resolve and force that can be mustered up.... 
But amidst optimism, we should also remember that the time will come 
when we will also need to hunt down militants further afield." 
 
Editorial: American Plan Against Afghan Taliban, an editorial in the 
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (11/24) 
 
"According to a report in New York Times, an anti Taliban militia 
with the name Community Defense is being established, which is a 
plan to trigger tribal rebellions.  American and Afghan authorities 
hope this way thousands of people would be integrated in 
anti-Taliban armed struggle....  American administration should be 
asked about the justification, under international law, of creating 
armed gangs." 
 
Opinion: Where's The Counter-Terror Strategy?, an op-ed by Mushahid 
Hussain in the populist, often sensational national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/24) 
 
"An interesting dynamic seems to be developing in today's Pakistan. 
There is an inverse relationship between the success of Pakistan's 
counter-insurgency and the failure of the country's 
counter-terrorism. Clearly, since the beginning of the military 
offensive in April, the militants are on the run but, concurrently, 
they have run amok by striking Pakistan's urban population at a time 
and target of their own choosing.... Let it not be said that the 
sacrifices of Pakistan's soldiers and civilians were in vain simply 
because the ruling elite was too busy pursuing their petty personal 
interests. The people of Pakistan deserve better; at the minimum, an 
expectation that the government perform its core duty of protecting 
their lives and property, an area where the government performance 
has been one vast failure. There is still time for the government to 
wake up from its slumber and get cracking on forging a doable 
counter-terror strategy, which would be a force multiplier for the 
ongoing counter-insurgency campaign." 
 
Opinion: Peace in Afghanistan, an op-ed by Javid Husain in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(11/24) 
 
"The U.S. is now essentially faced with the tasks of the elimination 
of Al-Qaeda and its allies in Afghanistan to prevent any further 
attacks on it and the restoration of peace in that country. The 
successful completion of these tasks should enable it to withdraw 
its forces from Afghanistan in an honorable manner.... The U.S. is 
now at a crossroads. The ongoing review of the Afghan strategy by 
the Obama Administration provides Washington with a useful 
opportunity to change course with a view to eliminating the threat 
of terrorism posed by Al-Qaeda to the U.S. security and taking 
political initiatives to bring the conflict in Afghanistan between 
the Pashtuns and the non-Pashtuns to an end. The use of force 
against Al-Qaeda and its allies should continue to overcome their 
threat to global and regional security." 
 
Opinion: An Intrusive Power Wielder, an op-ed by Dr. S.M. Rahman in 
the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(11/24) 
 
"In nutshell, America's military might has been dwarfed by the 
rag-tag Afghan freedom fighters and its economic model is under 
great stress. The hegemonic arrogance of USA cannot linger any 
further. It needs renunciation of the desire to dominate over the 
world particularly Eurasia, of which Af-Pak policy is a crude 
reflection. Engagement with impoverished nations and respect for 
diversity are the imperatives." 
 
INDO-PAK RELATIONS 
 
News Story: U.S. Can't Play Role Of Midwife In Indo-Pak Row: 
Holbrooke "The News" (11/24) 
 
"Richard Holbrooke, U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, 
has said that the United States wants good relations between India 
and Pakistan but could not play the role of a midwife to settle the 
disputes between the two countries. In a special briefing at the 
U.S. State Department on Monday, he said the U.S. wanted excellent 
ties between India and Pakistan but these relations were not 
compatible." 
 
News Story: Indian PM's Visit Won't Affect Ties With Pakistan: U.S. 
"Daily Times" (11/24) 
 
"The Indian prime minister's visit to Washington does not mean that 
Pakistan is any less important for the U.S., U.S. special envoy for 
Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said on Monday. He said 
Washington was seeking to improve relations with Pakistan, India and 
China. "We want that every country gains from this relationship," he 
added. 
 
News Story: India Trying To Wriggle Out Of Talks, Says Qureshi 
"Dawn" (11/24) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Monday that questions 
raised by India's prime minister about the control of the Pakistani 
army and the country's aims in Afghanistan were an excuse to delay 
resumption of talks. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told CNN 
International television on Sunday he was not clear if Pakistan's 
president was in control of the army and that the country's 
objectives in Afghanistan were not necessarily those of the United 
States. 'I am disappointed,' Qureshi said. 'My feeling is India is 
dragging its feet and is looking for excuses not to resume the 
composite dialogue.'" 
 
News Story: India Test-Fires Nuclear Capable Agni At Night "Dawn" 
(11/24) 
 
"India carried out its first nighttime test of a medium-range 
missile on Monday, a defense ministry official said. The 
surface-to-surface 'Agni-II' (Fire) missile - with a range of up to 
2,000 kilometers - can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads 
weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, the official said on condition of 
anonymity in line with ministry rules." 
 
News Story: Former Jihadi Says LT Running New Camps "Daily Times" 
(11/24) 
 
"The Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LT) has opened several new training camps in 
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), a former Lashkar member said. Abdullah 
Muntazir, who is now an analyst on Islamist issues, said the 
authorities had closed many Lashkar training camps in AJK after the 
Mumbai attacks but that had had a limited impact." 
 
Editorial: Listen India!, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (11/24) 
 
"Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is currently about to 
experience American hospitality of the type associated with a 
full-blown state visit. Wearily true to form he is using the 
occasion to deliver unhelpful and negative statements about Pakistan 
that drip oil on the fires that burn between us.... And do we really 
use terror as an instrument of state policy - or is it that in 
geopolitical terms it is currently flavor-of-the-month to present 
Pakistan as a bubbling pot of wickedness?" 
 
Editorial: Mr. Manmohan Singh, The [Kashmir] Border Will Certainly 
Be Redefined, an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu 
daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (11/24) 
 
"Indian PM Manmohan Singh is visiting the U.S. at a time when the 
U.S. is reviewing Afghan policy and in addition to Pakistan's role, 
is desirous of an Indian role in the new Afghan scenario .... 
Pakistan has given [U.S.] evidence of Indian involvement [in 
Balochistan] and has also raised the issue of CIA's interference; 
this means that the Satanic triumvirate of India-U.S.- Israel is 
bent upon destabilizing  Pakistan]. The Indian PM's statement [that 
Kashmir's border cannot be re-defined] is also a link in this 
chain].... Manmohan Singh needs to be reminded that just as Indian 
borders were redrawn in 1947, so will Kashmir's borders be redefined 
according to the wishes of the Kashmiris in the shape of accession 
with Pakistan. Until then, trade with India should be stopped and 
preparations be made for the final battle with India." 
 
Editorial: Indian PM's Views, an editorial in the center-right Urdu 
daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (11/24) 
 
"On the Kashmir issue, the Indian PM has said that Kashmir's border 
cannot be redrawn, although talks can be held with Pakistan on trade 
and other issues. This statement by the Indian PM goes against the 
spirit of harmony created as a result of bilateral talks. It can 
also be said that India is backtracking.... Unfortunately, the 
Congress government thinks that in the garb of fighting terrorism, 
the Kashmiri struggle for independence can also be crushed. We would 
like to warn that such an attitude can only increase hatred, not 
resolve disputes." 
 
Editorial: Manmohan Singh's Trip To The U.S. And Pakistan's 
Reservations, an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu 
daily "Din" (cir. 5000) (11/24) 
 
"From his interviews and statements in the U.S., it seems that the 
Indian PM wants to use this trip to increase Pakistan's political 
and strategic problems. It is with this intent that he adopted a 
tone on Kashmir that cannot be called conciliatory at all.... 
Pakistan also has reservations on India's defense procurements and 
war preparations. If the U.S. wants our sincere cooperation in the 
war [on terror] it should review its relations with India and remove 
Pakistan's misgivings." 
 
Editorial: India's Irrationality, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (11/24) 
 
"The India Prime Minister is setting new records for aggravating the 
already strained environment between Pakistan and India.... Clearly, 
the Indian leadership is hitting out at Pakistan because the 
Pakistani leadership is finally doing some plain talking regarding 
India's role in fanning terrorism in Balochistan and FATA - and with 
the apparent blessings of the U.S. which is allowing India to 
conduct these covert operations from Afghan soil.... This is 
unfortunate because it cannot hide India culpability in acts of 
terror in Pakistan.... It is time the U.S. informed its strategic 
partner's leadership, in the form of a belligerent Manmohan Singh, 
presently in Washington, that it simply cannot afford to continue 
its bellicosity towards Pakistan if it wants peace and progress in 
the region." 
 
Editorial: Indian Designs: Responsibility of Government, Politicians 
and Military Leadership, an editorial in the leading mass 
circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 
300,000) (11/24) 
 
"India wants to turn Pakistan into a market for its products by 
promoting trade relations only while putting aside the festering 
Kashmir issue. New Delhi is using Afghan soil, where it has set up 
more than a dozen consulates, to destabilize Pakistan through 
terrorist activities. Moreover, the U.S. military aid and full-scale 
nuclear cooperation have also rejuvenated India's anti-Pakistan 
ambitions. It is high time for our political and military leadership 
to evolve a national strategy to counter Indian conspiracies, 
especially in light of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the 
United States and his forthcoming meeting with President Obama." 
 
 
Editorial: India's Hand, an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal 
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (11/24) 
 
"Since intelligence sharing between any two countries is a sensitive 
issue, expecting rivals like Pakistan and India to be instantly 
forthcoming on this count is not realistic. There is logic in the 
U.S. stance that governments in Islamabad and New Delhi face a 
common threat that is terrorism. Partition of the Indian 
subcontinent is now a fact of history and vision demands that 
progress be made towards the future with a measured consciousness of 
history and a trust in the potential of mutual cooperation." 
 
Editorial: Amnesty's Letter to President Barack Obama and Manmohan 
Singh's Venomous Propaganda Against Pakistan, an editorial in the 
popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (11/24) 
 
"Amnesty International, in its letter to President Obama, has 
alleged that Indian forces are committing large-scale violations of 
human rights in the occupied Kashmir Valley. On the other hand, 
Indian Prime Minister Singh has said that Pakistan wants the 
immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in order to 
take control of Kabul. We think that after these accusations from a 
responsible Indian leader, the government of Pakistan must come out 
of any delusion regarding the peaceful solution of the Kashmir 
issue, and any future dialogue with New Delhi would be a futile 
exercise." 
 
Editorial: India: United States' Foolish Friend, an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(11/24) 
 
"All indicators show that the U.S. is planning to withdraw its 
forces from Afghanistan. Yet, it is also true that Washington has 
not rejected other options and New Delhi wants to utilize this 
aspect of U.S. policy with a view to promote its own interests in 
the region. The Obama administration is facing tremendous pressure, 
and only Pakistan can provide any relief to the United States. We 
advise the U.S. government to beware of India's covert agenda at 
this critical stage, and take any decision in the larger interest of 
American people." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
News Story: White House Discusses End To Afghan War "The News" 
(11/24) 
 
"Participants of a discussion at the White House have called for 
ending the war in Afghanistan, describing it a misuse of the U.S. 
taxpayers' money and asked to divide Pakistan into three parts. The 
discussion, organized by the White House Office for Public 
Engagement, was held in the Eisenhower Executive Building to devise 
the future policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan. The participants were 
told that terrorism could not be eliminated from the region until 
the Kashmir issue was resolved and the Indian involvement in 
Balochistan was ended." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson