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SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: DECEMBER 17, 2009 
 
Summary:  Coverage of the Supreme Court's verdict declaring the 
National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) "null and void" dominated 
front pages Thursday morning.  All newspapers highlighted Admiral 
Mullen's meetings with senior Pakistani civilian and military 
officials, along with his visit to Swat valley.  His remarks that 
"the top leadership of Al Qaeda and Taliban is in Pakistan" received 
prominent display; but several papers opted to underline Pakistan's 
messages to the U.S. regarding the Afghan strategy.  Prime Minister 
Gilani's remarks that "drone attacks in Balochistan would be highly 
counterproductive and would affect Pakistan's efforts to confront 
the challenge of terrorism," were widely covered.  "The Nation" 
reported that Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani rejected U.S. 
demands for new military operation against Afghan militants 
allegedly in Pakistan.  All major dailies published a Washington 
Post story which claimed that President Zardari sent a letter to 
President Obama in response to his appeal for an expansion of 
military offensive in the tribal areas, maintaining that Pakistan's 
counterinsurgency efforts will be based on its own timeline and 
operational needs.  Media also covered General Petraeus's comments 
to Fox News that the "U.S. war (is) a success, even if Usama has not 
been captured".  Reports that the U.S. House of Representatives 
passed a massive military spending bill rounded out coverage. 
Several papers reported that Pakistan has refused visas to as many 
as 137 U.S. nationals because of incorrect information provided on 
the visa applications.  The Nation continued to publish fictitious 
stories, front-paging a report quoting "reliable sources" that 
Pakistan is considering to swap five detained Americans for former 
Bank of Punjab president Hameesh Khan as well as Dr. Aafia Siddiqi. 
End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: Supreme Court Declares NRO Null And Void  "Dawn" (12/17) 
 
 
"In what has been billed as a verdict that may change the course of 
country's political history, the Supreme Court on Wednesday declared 
the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) as never 
to have existed and against the Constitution by reviving all cases 
and reversing acquittals of its beneficiaries, thus putting the PPP 
parliamentarians and cabinet members and President Asif Zardari in a 
quandary. In a late-night short order that has no parallel in 
country's judicial history, the 17-judge bench, headed by Chief 
Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, ordered the federal government 
to take immediate steps to seek revival of the original requests or 
claims for mutual legal assistance to pursue money laundering cases 
pending in foreign countries, including Switzerland." (Story also 
covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Drone Attacks To Spoil Govt. Efforts, Gilani Tells 
Mullen "The News," "Daily Times" (12/17) 
 
"Prime Minister Gilani on Wednesday made it clear to the United 
States that drone attacks in Balochistan would be highly 
counterproductive and would spoil Pakistan's efforts to confront the 
challenge of terrorism. The Prime Minister was talking to U.S. Joint 
Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, who called on him at the PM 
House here. During the meeting, Chief of the Army Staff General 
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani assisted the prime minister. American 
Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Paterson was also present on the 
occasion." 
 
News Story: Qaeda, Taliban Leaders In Pakistan: Mullen "Daily Times" 
(12/17) 
 
"The top leadership of Al Qaeda and Taliban is in Pakistan and 
planning to kill 'as many Americans as they have' in the past, U.S. 
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen said on 
Wednesday. 'The indication that I have is that they (Al Qaeda and 
Afghan Taliban leadership) are here [Pakistan] and are actually 
protected by others, particularly, by the [local] Taliban. This is 
our information, we operate under it and it's the focus of our 
strategy,' he said in an interview at the U.S. Embassy in 
Islamabad." 
 
News Story: Mullen, Kayani Visit Swat "Daily Times," "The News" 
(12/17) 
 
"U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen visited 
Swat on Wednesday with Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani. Mullen 
praised the Pakistan Army's efforts to rid the area of the Taliban. 
Sources said the two Chiefs visited Kalam. The visit to Swat is the 
first by any top American military official." 
 
News Story: Zardari Resists U.S. Pressure To Expand FATA Operations 
"Dawn," "The News," "The Nation" (12/17) 
 
"In a letter to Barack Obama, President Asif Ali Zardari has turned 
down the U.S. request for expanding Pakistani military operations in 
Fata, according to The Washington Post. Mr. Zardari also urged the 
U.S. President to speed up American military assistance to Pakistan 
and to intervene more forcefully with India for resolving bilateral 
disputes." 
 
News Story: U.S. Accuses Pak Of Harassing Diplomats "The Nation" 
(12/17) 
 
"American officials in Islamabad have accused parts of the Pakistani 
military and intelligence services of harassing U.S. diplomat, 
fraying relations when the Obama administration is demanding more 
help to fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda, according to The New York 
Times. The campaign includes the refusal to extend or approve visas 
for more than 100 American officials and the frequent searches of 
American diplomatic vehicles in major cities, an American official 
briefed on the cases, was cited as saying by the newspaper." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Refusing Visas To U.S. Officials "Daily Times" 
(12/17) 
 
"The Government of Pakistan has stopped issuing visas to the United 
States citizens including U.S. army officials and diplomats, a 
senior U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday.... The U.S. diplomat, who 
spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive interaction 
between the two countries, said that the visa clampdown seems to be 
a reaction to widespread anti-American sentiments." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Refuses Visa To 137 U.S. Nationals "The Nation" 
(12/17) 
 
"Pakistan has refused visas to as many as 137 U.S. citizens because 
of incorrect information that the applicants provided to authorities 
through Pakistan Embassy in Washington, well placed sources told 
'The Nation' on Wednesday." 
 
News Story: PML-N To Requisition NA Session; Foreigners' Dubious 
Activities "The Nation" (12/17) 
 
"The Opposition would expose the dangers looming large over the 
country's sovereignty mainly due to the devious activities of some 
foreign diplomatic missions especially the U.S., in a special 
session of the National assembly to be requisitioned shortly after 
the month of Muharram." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: U.S. War A Success, Even If Bin Laden Still At Large 
"The News," "Daily Times" (12/17) 
 
"U.S. Commander General David Petraeus on Wednesday called 
Washington's fight against terrorism in Afghanistan 'successful,' 
even if al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has not been captured, said 
Petraeus, Chief of US Central Command, speaking from Kabul to Fox 
News channel television." 
 
News Story: Two Killed As U.S. Drone Fired Two Missiles In 
Dattakhel: Officials "The Nation" (12/17) 
 
"At least two people were killed on Thursday (today) when a missile 
from an unmanned U.S. aircraft slammed into a suspected militant 
hideout in northwest tribal belt, security officials said. The 
attack struck a house in Dattakhel village, some 30 kilometers (18 
miles) west of Miranshah, the main town of the restive North 
Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan." 
 
News Story: 27 Militants Killed In Kurram "Dawn" (12/17) 
 
"Security forces, backed by military planes and helicopter gunships, 
killed 27 terrorists and arrested 18 others in the Taliban 
stronghold of Dogar in Kurram region on Wednesday. Official sources 
said that the forces also seized a large cache of weapons." (Story 
also covered in all newspapers) 
News Story: 7 Die As Copters Pound Hideouts "Dawn" (12/17) 
 
"Seven militants were killed when helicopter gunships attacked their 
hideouts in remote Tirah valley of Khyber Agency on Wednesday, 
sources said. Military sources said that the house of an important 
commander of the Namdar group had been destroyed." (Story also 
covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Govt. Mulls Detainees' Swap With U.S.  "The Nation" 
(12/17) 
 
"Pakistan is considering to swap five Americans arrested from 
Sargodha last week with former Bank of Punjab President Hameesh Khan 
as well as Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, 'The Nation' reliably learned on 
Wednesday. According to sources, the government is actively 
finalizing these proposals to take up with the U.S. through the 
diplomatic channels." 
 
News Story: JI Stages Rallies "Dawn" (12/17) 
 
"Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) activists staged two 'Go America Go' rallies 
on Wednesday, one in Toba Tek Singh and the other in Kamalia. 
Speaking on the occasion, JI leaders Dr Maqbool, Dr Zahid Sattar and 
Soofi Rashid condemned the rulers for allegedly playing a role of 
stooges of America." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: PM Pledges Enforcement In Letter And Spirit "The News" 
(12/17) 
 
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will strictly adhere to the 
verdict of the Supreme Court in the case against the obnoxious 
National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and action would be taken by 
the prime minister after careful consideration of the pros and cons 
of the situation as he feels the judgment has enhanced his 
responsibilities. He is likely to seek summary explanation with 
regard to the position of the Ministers and Ministers of State who 
were the beneficiaries of the NRO. The action would be taken in the 
light of their explanation." 
 
News Story: President Enjoys Immunity: Babar; Says Govt. Will 
Respect SC Verdict "The News" (12/17) 
 
"The Presidency on Wednesday announced that the government accepts 
and respects the verdict of the Supreme Court. "The president enjoys 
the immunity under Article 248(2) of the Constitution," said 
Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar while talking to newsmen at 
the Supreme Court after the judgment of the apex court on the NRO." 
 
 
News Story: Zardari Becomes An Accused President "The News" (12/17) 
 
 
"The Supreme Court's landmark short order on the National 
Reconciliation Ordinance, (NRO) although not Asif Ali 
Zardari-specific, has reduced him into an accused president, whose 
assets stand frozen and all corruption cases involving $1.7 billion 
revived to haunt him as the situation was before October 2007." 
 
News Story: Foreign Cases Against Zardari Stand Revived "The News" 
(12/17) 
 
"Top constitutional experts of the country in their interviews with 
'The News' interpreted that Wednesday's Supreme Court judgment 
leaves no constitutional immunity from criminal prosecution to 
President Asif Ali Zardari in foreign countries in the light of 
Article 248 of the Constitution." 
 
News Story: A Wave Of Jubilation Sweeps The Country  "The News" 
(12/17) 
 
"The historical Supreme Court judgment against the National 
Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) sent a wave of jubilation across the 
country on Wednesday. People welcomed the SC verdict saying the 
Court through its landmark decision once again proved that the 
judiciary was independent. They said the decision strengthens 
superiority of the judiciary and a new era of dispensation of 
justice will emerge in the country." 
 
News Story: A landmark Judgment "Dawn" (12/17) 
 
"Lawyers have called the decision of Supreme Court on the National 
Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) a landmark judgment in the judicial 
history of Pakistan and the first step toward a corruption-free 
country. Former Supreme Court Bar Association president Hamid Khan 
says the judgment is the outcome of lawyers' movement which made the 
judiciary an independent institution." (Story also covered in all 
newspapers) 
 
News Story: Opposition Hails Decision On NRO "Dawn" (12/17) 
 
"Opposition leaders have welcomed the Supreme Court decision on 
striking down the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and demand 
resignation of all public offices holders who benefited from the 
ordinance." (Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Cabinet Curtails Foreign Tours Of President, PM "The 
News" (12/17) 
 
"The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved a number of austerity 
measures, including curtailing the foreign visits of the President, 
the Prime Minister and Federal Ministers besides abolishing some 
ministries and reducing the strength of the Cabinet through 
constitutional amendments. The Cabinet met in Islamabad under the 
chairmanship of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani." 
 
ECONOMY/BUSINESS 
 
News Story: World Powers Must Bolster Economic Support For Pak: 
Holbrooke "The Nation" (12/17) 
 
"The world economic powers must lend economic support to Pakistan as 
robustly as they are doing for Afghanistan to help Islamabad step up 
socio-economic development of its people, U.S. Special Envoy Richard 
Holbrooke said. The Obama Administration's special representative 
for the region acknowledged the fact that Pakistan currently is not 
receiving enough economic assistance. Speaking at the Council on 
Foreign Relations, Holbrooke said Washington has an 'undiminished' 
commitment to Pakistan's progress but stressed expansion in economic 
support for the key South Asian anti-terrorism partner must be an 
international effort." 
 
News Story: U.S. Outlines Conditions For Aid To Pakistan "Daily 
Times" (12/17) 
 
"The Obama administration sought to reassure U.S. lawmakers this 
week it would demand 'maximum accountability' from Pakistan for $7.5 
billion in aid and that it had safeguards to ensure funds did not 
reach extremists. In a report sent by the State Department to 
congressional committees late on Monday, the administration outlined 
its priorities for the aid, including water, agriculture and 
electricity projects, and laid out a strategy to prevent corruption 
and misuse of the money." 
 
News Story: FDI Falls 52.2 Per Cent "The Nation" (12/17) 
 
"The inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Pakistan 
declined by 52.2 per cent during the first five months of current 
fiscal year 2009-10. Pakistan received a total of 774.0 million 
dollars worth foreign direct investment during July-November FY10 
against 1.620 billion dollars in the corresponding period of the 
last fiscal year amid slowdown in the global economic recovery and 
political and security concerns, the SBP reported on Wednesday." 
 
News Story: Country To Face 1,000-1,400MW Shortage From 27th "The 
News" (12/17) 
 
"The country is once again going to face the scourge of power 
load-shedding from December 26, as it faces shortage of 1,000 to 
1,400 MW of electricity. The reasons are canals' closure and 
non-availability of natural gas, Managing Director of Pakistan 
Electric Power Company Tahir Basharat Cheema told 'The News.'" 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: Judgment Day, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (12/17) 
 
 
"The judgment of the Supreme Court predictably provoked a veritable 
blizzard of media activity.... The judgment may have been late but 
it is a worthy one.... The judgment is truly a landmark. The SC has 
rid the nation of an ignominy that had tried its soul for long.... 
We the people hold our heads a little higher today - and anticipate 
a rolling of a few of those heads for whom it is long overdue." 
 
Editorial: U.S. Threat To Nukes, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (12/17) 
 
"U.S. Vice President Biden has finally made it clear that Pakistan's 
nuclear weapons should be the prime focus of U.S. policy.... For 
Pakistan the threat from the U.S. is now abundantly clear. It lies 
in the U.S. attempting to take out our nuclear capability one way or 
another.... If we thought our main security threat was only from 
extremist militancy, we need to think again." 
 
Editorial: Matching Response On Quetta Shura, an editorial in the 
country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (12/17) 
 
"Of course, there is no hint that the United States would bring 
Balochistan under its drone attacks, but there is no pledge either 
that this will not happen in the future.... Now that a number of 
U.S. officials are expected to visit here, it would be in the 
fitness of things that they succeed in firming up a common 
perception, particularly on the so-called Quetta Shura.... More so, 
for the reason that Pakistan has yet to receive what can be called 
credible evidence on the presence of the Quetta Shura on its soil. 
In the absence of such an evidence a military operation, ground or 
aerial, against the entity would not be acceptable to the people of 
Pakistan. But if the Americans come up with such evidence there 
should be no hesitation on the part of Pakistan to move quickly. It 
is in our national interest that its soil doesn't become a safe 
haven for terrorism." 
 
Editorial: Unresolved Inconsistencies, an editorial in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (12/17) 
 
"The U.S. and Pakistan are both impaled on the horns of their 
respective dilemmas. The U.S. cannot hope for progress in the 
struggle in Afghanistan, let alone 'victory,' without taking out the 
rear base areas of the insurgents inside Pakistan. To do so risks 
alienating its uneasy ally, not to act risks defeat in Afghanistan 
in the long run. Pakistan, on the other hand, seems wedded so far to 
militarily wiping out any threat from local Taliban while preserving 
its covert alliance with the Afghan Taliban to be able, at a 
minimum, to have its slice of the cake in a post-U.S. withdrawal 
Afghanistan. The two positions are so far irreconcilable, and if 
they remain unresolved, could cause a breakdown in the two allies' 
relations and cooperation in the war on terror." 
 
Editorial: Pakistan Should Decline Providing Logistic Service To The 
U.S., an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (12/17) 
 
"The government has revealed to the Senate Committee on 
Communications that the country's roads have suffered damage worth 
more than Rs 5 billion due to the U.S. and NATO vehicles 
transporting supplies to Afghanistan. The government has sent a 
notice to the U.S. in this regard [the same amount in 
compensation].... Public circles feel that the compensation demanded 
from the U.S. is a pittance, and it should be reviewed. Reports from 
experts must also be sought in this regard and the U.S. must be 
asked to seek logistic help from the Soviet [CAS] states. Pakistan 
should slowly extricate itself from such jobs, thereby reducing the 
scope of U.S. interference." 
 
Editorial: Heaven And Hell, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (12/17) 
 
 
"The key to understanding what has been happening lies in the kind 
of lives countless people are condemned to live. Desperate parents 
hand over sons to militant groups; sometimes in exchange for money. 
The boys themselves are willing to give up all in the hope of 
entering the magical land conjured up for them by their captors. The 
long-term answer to this scourge lies in tackling the crippling 
poverty which holds people in a trap. Illiteracy and despair walk 
alongside poverty. Policies to alter this reality must be put in 
place now. But we also need short-term action, which should include 
creating awareness about how recruiters act and what means they use 
to persuade their victims to give up their lives. This could prevent 
others walking along the path that promises heaven but takes many 
straight to hell." 
 
Editorial: Terrorism in South Punjab: Is It Prelude To New Demands?, 
an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often 
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (12/17) 
 
"The Tuesday's suicide attack in Dera Ghazi Khan invites the 
immediate attention of our government to examine this tragic 
incident from different angles. There is a possibility that this 
attack may provide a justification to the western powers to demand 
the Pakistani government to expand drone attacks to south Punjab. Is 
the recent surge in the terrorist attack merely a reaction to the 
military operation in tribal areas, or a part of a broad-based 
conspiracy against Pakistan? Which powers are pulling the strings 
from behind the terrorists? Why the frequency and intensity of the 
suicide attacks are gaining momentum despite the full-fledged 
military operation, and the popular resistance in the country? We 
think that the answers to these questions are the prerequisite to 
make the anti-terrorism policies a success." 
 
Editorial: Need To Mull Over Different Aspects Of D. G. Khan Attack, 
an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" 
(cir. 10,000) (12/17) 
 
"It is not important to consider that who was the real perpetrator 
of the D. G. Khan attack, the Taliban or any other power. The real 
question, which emerged out of this inferno, is that whether the 
government would order military operation in south Punjab. Our 
rulers must keep in mind that the foreign powers will leave no stone 
unturned to create another quagmire for armed forces in this area. 
We hope that saner minds would prevail and the government would not 
take any hasty decision which could prove disastrous for the future 
of Pakistan." 
 
Editorial: Suicide Bombing In D. G. Khan, an editorial in the 
Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) 
(12/17) 
 
"After a brief calm, the suicide attack in Dera Ghazi Khan has once 
again plunged the entire nation into a state of panic and quandary. 
At present, Pakistan is passing through the most critical period of 
its history. What a pity that innocent people are being killed 
cold-blooded not only by the U.S. drones, but also in the suicide 
bombings being launched in response to these American attacks. The 
government must consider all aspects of the D. G. Khan attack, 
especially the possibility of an attempt to kill PML-N leader Sardar 
Zulfiqar Khosa who has repeatedly denied the presence of the Taliban 
in south Punjab." 
 
Editorial: Terror in D. G. Khan, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (12/17) 
 
 
"The wave of terror we have seen now for many weeks continues 
unabated.... The killers have shown they remain capable of striking 
with great force and deadly intent. It is worth considering what 
this means. We hear the operation in Waziristan is almost over, but 
this has not translated into any check on the havoc wreaked by the 
militants. The rising sense of the government being helpless in the 
face of terrorism does not augur well for us as citizens." 
 
Editorial: Terrorism In Dera Ghazi Khan, an editorial in the liberal 
Urdu daily "Express" (circ. 25, 000) (12/17) 
 
"The government and security institutions must review the terrorist 
incident in Dera Ghazi Khan from every angle. The allegation must 
also be investigated as to why there were insufficient security 
arrangements despite reports [that DG Khan might be targeted]. Who 
was responsible for this laziness despite credible information on 
terrorists' arrival? And how did terrorists succeed in taking 1000kg 
explosive to the target? The most tragic part of the DG Khan 
incident is lack of proper security arrangements." 
 
Editorial: D.G. Khan: Expanding Scope Of Terrorist Acts, an 
editorial in independent Urdu daily "Din" (circ. 5000) (12/17) 
 
"The Dera Ghazi Khan bomb blast could be investigated from several 
angles. The first angle is that some powers are trying to prove that 
southern Punjab is a Taliban hub. Some extremist groups are running 
their training camps here. These people have turned their houses and 
centers into fortresses. The attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 
Lahore and the second attack on FIA building is their work.... 
Whatever the case might be, Dera Ghazi Khan has emerged as a new 
target after this attack.... At the local level, however, this 
attack is also being viewed as an act to damage the Khosa family 
[whose market was targeted in the attack]." 
 
Opinion: A Victory Of Greed And Hypocrisy, an op-ed by Mohammad 
Jamil in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 
5,000) (12/17) 
 
"Indian and U.S. leadership often express concerns that Pakistan's 
nuclear assets are not safe, and in case militants succeed they will 
have control of the nukes. In May 2009, even President Barack Obama 
went to the extent of saying that the U.S. will take all the steps 
to secure Pakistan's nuclear assets and nukes. As a matter of fact 
they know full well that nuclear devices are not stacked in the 
shelves of the warehouses that anybody can pick these up. There is a 
multi-layered system and even the U.S. would not know the exact 
location of Pakistan's nuclear devices and delivery system. Instead 
of casting aspersions and insinuations they should acknowledge that 
Pakistan is a responsible state, but could not be bullied, as it is 
a nuclear state in its own right." 
 
Opinion: Straight Talk To The U.S., an op-ed by Syed Talat Hussain 
in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" 
(cir. 10,000) (12/17) 
 
"The decision making process, starting from target selection to the 
pushing of the button, cannot be done without Pakistan's permission. 
The principle of cooperation being: 'We are one, but on our 
territory we are the only one.'... Even the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan 
is hyperactive, creating an impression of imperial duties being 
performed imperiously. However, like all Embassies, they are 
carrying out their administration's orders. This policy outlook, 
which makes Pakistan look like an outpost of the U.S. war, must 
change. As the U.S. enters the decisive phase of starting the Obama 
brand of military operations in Afghanistan, it will learn new 
things on the field. In Pakistan, it must learn to treat a crucial 
ally with dignity and respect." 
 
Opinion: A Tight Balloon In Hot Air , an op-ed by Samson Simon 
Sharaf in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 
20,000) (12/17) 
 
"The Government of Pakistan has to appreciate the dangers to its 
integrity and security arising out of the third surge. The 
opportunities have to be recognized, even if it be at the cost of 
short term tactical disadvantage. The bottom line is that after the 
U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan must emerge as a 
responsible nuclear power with no scope for private armies led by 
criminals, thugs and militants. This means bracing for a bloody 
winter in the urban areas." 
 
Opinion: Evil Designs Of The United States, an op-ed by Azam Khalil 
in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 
20,000) (12/17) 
 
"The Americans have recently raised the stakes and it has been seen 
that several American vehicles have been intercepted by the law 
enforcement agencies in Pakistan who were found to be on the wrong 
side of the law. These incidents have become so frequent that they 
have now attracted the attention of common Pakistani citizens who 
were vociferously questioning the attitude of not only the federal 
government but also the provincial governments where such happenings 
have been reported.... While this episode was unfolding in Lahore, 
the American ambassador in Islamabad made a personal appeal to 
President Asif Ali Zardari for the extradition of the five American 
young men who were apprehended in Sargodha on serious charges.... 
The Americans must be made to understand that they are not above the 
law in this country and that in case they violate any law they 
should also be ready to receive the punishment that will be staring 
at them in future." 
 
Opinion: An Unequal Partnership?, an op-ed by Ikram Sehgal in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (12/17) 
 
"The U.S. seems endlessly to find fault with Pakistan despite our 
many more sacrifices, suffering military and civilian casualties at 
 
 
more than a 10:1 ratio. Does it serve U.S. interests to threaten 
Pakistan time and again unless it 'does more'? We can never be 
equals and Pakistan has more to lose because it cannot walk away 
from the region as the U.S. has done before. Pakistan's greater 
stake evens the imbalance of this relationship. For the new Obama 
Doctrine to succeed the U.S. must understand that the roads to peace 
literally give through Peshawar and Quetta.... The initiatives 
enunciated in the Obama Doctrine incorrectly put in order of 
priority the most important, 'an effective partnership with 
Pakistan,' after the 'military surge' and the 'civilian surge.' The 
U.S. recognizes that Pakistan is central to any lasting solution in 
Afghanistan, yet there remains a yawning gap (and reluctance) to 
translate rhetoric into reality. Failure to rectify this major 
anomaly will render gains made in Afghanistan reversible, as has 
happened in the past in this unfortunate country." 
 
Opinion: Some Worrying Developments, an op-ed by Tariq Fatemi in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (12/17) 
 
"If the Americans are supposed to start withdrawing their troops in 
less than two years, would Pakistan not be justified in hedging its 
bets? After all, if we are to live next to a Taliban-dominated 
Afghanistan, why annoy them? Even more worrying is the absence of 
evidence of U.S. willingness to use its influence to bring India 
back to the negotiating table, or even of asking it to end its 
alleged interference in Fata and Balochistan. In such a scenario, 
would Pakistan not be justified in wondering why it should 'play 
ball' with the U.S.?" 
 
Opinion: New Afghan Policy, an op-ed by Bilal Zubair in the 
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (12/17) 
 
"The U.S. has not had any real success in Afghanistan. To provide 
economic development, literacy, rooting out poppy cultivation, peace 
and security to masses and dismantling the terrorist networks were 
some responsibilities that the U.S. and its allied forces were to 
fulfill. Most of the Afghans still consider the U.S. and allied 
troops as occupants. The U.S. and its allied forces should not pull 
out from Afghanistan in haste. Such an approach would make the 
Afghan affairs messy because of the limitations of the present 
Afghan regime. If the West seriously believes that Pakistan is 
critical for peace in Afghanistan, then Pakistani leadership should 
be consulted and taken into confidence before taking important 
decisions affecting Afghanistan. The future of Pak-U.S. relations 
depends upon the outcome of the new U.S. strategy in Afghanistan." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson