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SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: DECEMBER 18, 2009 
 
Summary: The NRO reversal continues to dominate news coverage this 
morning, with most media carrying U.S. civil and military officials' 
statements terming the decision an "internal and constitutional 
matter of Pakistan".  Matters involving the U.S.-Pakistan 
relationship also continued to garner wide coverage, with all major 
dailies publishing the New York Times story claiming harassment of 
U.S. diplomats.  Papers also ran the State Department spokesman's 
statement that visa denials could affect "Washington's efforts to 
help stabilize" Pakistan.   Turning their focus to the Afghan 
strategy, headlines prominently featured "the biggest attack so far" 
by drone aircraft in North Waziristan that killed 16 people 
including foreign militants.  Several papers also quoted U.S. Air 
Force Lt. General Deptula that the "U.S. is adding more drones and 
expanding video surveillance" over Afghanistan.  Most media 
highlighted the Lahore High Court's disposal of a habeas corpus 
petition against detention and possible extradition of six American 
nationals, linking their hand over to U.S. authorities with court 
permission.  Continuing its malicious drive against the United 
States, The Nation front-paged an old story today that "414 
non-diplomat Americans are living in 284 houses in different areas 
of Islamabad."  The same paper also published another fabricated 
report, that "Americans are conducting a survey, and mapping each 
and every sensitive as well as strategic installation in Pakistan." 
Both print and electronic media extensively covered the U.S. 
agreement to provide $36 million for reconstruction and 
rehabilitation in Swat.  End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: NRO Verdict Internal Matter Of Pak, Says U.S. "Dawn," 
"Daily Times" (12/18) 
 
"The United States respects the Supreme Court's decision to rescind 
the NRO and hopes that all Pakistani leaders will act in accordance 
with their Constitution, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday. 
At a briefing in Washington, the department's Deputy Spokesman 
Robert A. Wood also expressed the U.S. desire to help stabilize 
Pakistan. 'Well, look, that is an internal Pakistani matter." (Story 
also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Visa Delay To Affect Aid Efforts, U.S. Cautions Pak 
"Dawn" (12/18) 
 
"The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that if Pakistan 
continued to deny visas to hundreds of U.S. officials and 
contractors, Washington's efforts to help stabilize the 
violence-ridden country could be affected. At a briefing, the 
department's Deputy Spokesman Robert A. Wood confirmed earlier 
reports that Pakistan had denied visa to hundreds of U.S. officials 
and citizens." (Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: U.S. Raises 'Concerns' With Pakistan "The Nation" 
(12/18) 
 
"The United States said Thursday it has raised its 'serious 
concerns' with Pakistan over the delays of hundreds of visas for 
officials and contractors, saying programs could be hurt, State 
Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood told reporters." 
 
News Story: U.S. Diplomats Being Harassed In Pakistan, Alleges NYT 
"Dawn," "The Nation" (12/18) 
 
"Some in Pakistani military and intelligence services have begun a 
campaign to harass American diplomats in Pakistan, undermining the 
relations between the two countries, the New York Times reported on 
Wednesday night citing U.S. diplomats in Islamabad. The campaign, 
according to the report, comes at a critical moment when the Obama 
administration is demanding more help to fight the Taliban and Al 
Qaeda. But the newspaper quoted a Pakistani security official as 
saying the Americans had brought the problems on themselves. 
'Unfortunately, the Americans are arrogant,' the Pakistani security 
official said." 
 
News Story: Plea For Recovery Of U.S. Nationals Disposed Of "The 
News," "The Nation," "Daily Times" (12/18) 
 
"Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif on Thursday 
disposed of a habeas corpus petition against detention and possible 
extradition to the U.S. of five U.S. nationals arrested from 
Sargodha on charges of planning to fight against the U.S. forces in 
Afghanistan. The Chief Justice, however, directed the authorities 
concerned not to extradite the detainees without the court 
permission." 
 
News Story: Americans Mapping Sensitive Info "The Nation" (12/18) 
 
"Americans are conducting a detailed survey across the country and 
mapping each and every sensitive as well as strategic installation 
in Pakistan. The officials of Central Intelligence Agency, Federal 
Bureau of Investigations and mercenaries of Blackwater have started 
making diagrammatical drawings of important routes, especially the 
areas which interest them the most, a highly placed source said on 
Thursday." 
 
News Story: 414 'special Americans' In Islamabad "The Nation" 
(12/18) 
 
"Intelligence agencies have submitted a complete report to the 
Interior Ministry regarding 414 non-diplomat Americans living in 284 
houses in different sectors of the Federal Capital. According to a 
source in the intelligence agency, as many as 101 Americans are 
living in 69 houses in Sector F-5, 109 in 85 houses in F-7, 12 
Americans living in Sector E-7. Whereas in the area of Aabpara 
Police Station, 64 Americans are living in 38 houses; in the area of 
Margala Police Station 108 Americans are living in 61 houses of F-8; 
one American living in a house in Sector G-8, 15 Americans living in 
15 houses in the precinct of Shalimar Police station and 4 Americans 
living in 3 houses in the precinct of Industrial Area Police 
station. Sources told the nation that these Americans are named 
'Special Americans' and they are not American diplomats." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: U.S. To Expand Eyes In The Sky Over Afghanistan "The 
News" (12/18) 
 
"The U.S. military is adding more drones and expanding its video 
surveillance in the skies over Afghanistan to meet the needs of 
American forces as 30,000 more troops head into the war zone, Air 
Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, deputy chief of staff for 
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, told reporters in 
Copenhagen on Thursday." 
 
News Story: Pak Will Hunt Haqqani Group After TTP: Mullen "Daily 
Times" (12/18) 
 
"The Pakistan Army will crackdown on the Sirajuddin Haqqani network 
after the completion of the South Waziristan operation, a private TV 
channel quoted US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael 
Mullen as saying on Thursday. In an interview with the channel, 
Mullen said Pakistan's operation against terrorists in Waziristan 
was in its final phase, adding that the security forces had gained 
considerable success against the Taliban." 
 
News Story: Russian Mily Role In Afghanistan "The Post" (12/18) 
 
"The Secretary General of NATO held talks at the Kremlin on 
Wednesday for the first time since relations soured last year, 
though Russia would not immediately agree to his request that it 
provide more military assistance in Afghanistan. The secretary 
general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, met with the Russian leadership and 
asked for Russian helicopters and spare parts for the Afghan 
military, as well as more help in training the Afghan police and 
combating drug trafficking." 
 
News Story: Commanders Discuss Obama's Afghan Policy "Business 
Recorder" (12/18) 
 
"Top brass of Pakistan Army has discussed the upcoming Afghan policy 
of Obama Administration and its impact on regional and international 
politics particularly with reference to on-going war on terror. The 
124th Corps Commanders' conference was held here on Thursday at 
General Headquarters of Pakistan Army with Chief of Army Staff 
(COAS), General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani in the chair." 
 
News Story: 16 Killed As U.S. Drones Rain Missiles In NWA "The News" 
(12/18) 
 
"Sixteen people, including local and foreign militants, were killed 
and several others were injured in the biggest attack so far by the 
U.S. spy aircraft in two small villages of North Waziristan on 
Thursday. Just in one day, the drone carried out three deadly 
attacks in the restive North Waziristan tribal region."  (Story also 
covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Commander Among 17 Militants Die In Orakzai "Dawn" 
(12/18) 
 
"Seventeen militants, a local 'commander' among them, were killed 
and four compounds and three tunnels were destroyed as helicopter 
gunships pounded terrorists' hideouts in Dabori area of Orakzai 
Agency on Thursday. The 'Commander' was identified as Ajmer, 
officials said, adding that 21 militants were also injured in 
attacks." (Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Two Security Men, Three Militants Die In Bara Attack 
"The News" (12/18) 
 
"Two security personnel and three suspected militants were killed in 
a remote-controlled bomb attack in the Bara subdivision of Khyber 
Agency on Thursday. Separately, security forces set 25 houses on 
fire after an attack on them in the Ferozkhel area of Orakzai Agency 
in the wee hours of Thursday, officials said." 
 
News Story: Ulema Conference Declares Suicide Attacks Un-Islamic 
"Dawn" (12/18) 
 
"A conference of Ulema and Mashaikh, convened by the government on 
Thursday, declared suicide attacks as 'Haram' and un-Islamic and 
supported military operations against militants and extremists. 
Leaders of Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F and JUI-S and 
Maulana Abdul Aziz, the former head of Lal Masjid, did not attend 
the conference because of differences with the government over its 
policy on war on terror." (Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Militants Blow Up Girls School In Bannu "Dawn" (12/18) 
 
"Unidentified militants blew up a government-run school for girls in 
the jurisdiction of Saddar police station, Bannu on Thursday." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: NRO is Pakistan's Internal Matter: Mullen "The News" 
(12/18) 
 
"U.S. Chairman Joint chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has made it 
clear that judicial decision on the National Reconciliation 
Ordinance (NRO) is Pakistan's internal and constitutional matter and 
the U.S. did not interfere in its internal matter, while talking to 
a private TV channel, senior journalists and those of who were 
travelling with him at the aeroplane after visit to Pakistan." 
 
News Story: SC Decision on NRO - No Immediate Comments: U.S. "The 
Nation" (12/18) 
 
"The United States has offered 'no immediate comment' after Supreme 
Court, Wednesday, ruled the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) 
shielding President Asif Ali Zardari and several senior politicians 
from grant charges unconstitutional.  'I have seen reports about 
that. I don't have anything for you now,' spokesman Ian Kelly said 
to reporter in Washington." 
 
News Story: President Zardari Under Pressure After NRO Ruling 
"Dawn" 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari faced fresh calls to step down Thursday 
after the Supreme Court struck down an amnesty that had protected 
the increasingly unpopular leader and several of his political 
allies from corruption charges." 
 
News Story: Ready To Face New Challenge: Zardari "Dawn" (12/18) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari has said that he does not want 
confrontation with the judiciary or any other institution, adding 
that the Pakistan People's Party respects the Supreme Court's 
verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance. Talking to 
office-bearers of the Hyderabad Press Club in Islamabad on Thursday, 
he said that the PPP had coped with such challenges in the past and 
do so in future as well." (Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: Govt. Under Pressure Over NRO Ministers "Dawn" (12/18) 
 
"With both the Pakistan People's Party and its government in a 
quandary over the Supreme Court's verdict against the National 
Reconciliation Ordinance, cracks that have been visible in the party 
for months are poised to widen, a spokesman for the Prime Minister 
said on Thursday." (Story also covered in all newspapers) 
 
News Story: 248 Bigwigs' Names Put On ECL "The News" (12/18) 
 
"The Interior Ministry has placed the names of 248 NRO beneficiaries 
on the Exit Control List (ECL) on the directives of the National 
Accountability Bureau (NAB), sources said." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story: U.S. Gives $36m For Swat Reconstruction "The News" 
(12/18) 
 
"The United States on Thursday announced 36 million dollars aid for 
the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in the militancy-hit 
Swat district. The U.S. envoy to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, who 
was accompanied by the NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti during 
her visit to Swat, announced the aid for development of health and 
education sectors in the area." (Story also covered by "Daily 
Times," "Jang," "Express," "Nawa-i-Waqt," "Pakistan Observer," "The 
Statesman," "Mashriq," "Ausaf," "Al-Akhbar") 
 
News Story: World Powers Must Bolster Support For Pakistan: 
Holbrooke "The News" (12/18) 
 
"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.... Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, 
Holbrooke said Washington had 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. Experts To Provide Technical Help To FBR "Business 
Recorder" (12/18) 
 
"An assessment team from the U.S. Government Treasury Department is 
likely to visit Pakistan in January 2010 to provide technical 
assistance to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in smooth 
implementation of tax reforms, including Inland Revenue Service and 
enforcement of new value-added tax (VAT) law for broadening the 
tax-base." 
 
News Story: July-Nov C/A Deficit Narrows To $1.359bn "The News" 
(12/18) 
 
"Pakistan's current account deficit in the first five months of the 
2009/10 fiscal year was a provisional $1.359 billion compared with a 
deficit of $7.318 billion in the same period last year, the central 
bank said on Thursday. Higher remittances and a lower trade deficit 
compared with last year were the reasons for the narrowing of the 
current account deficit, analysts said." 
 
News Story: IMF Asks Pakistan To Restrict Overdraft To Provinces 
"The News" (12/18) 
 
"The mounting raise in the overdraft of provinces has forced the 
International Monetary Fund (IMF) into asking Pakistan to impose 
certain restrictions on ballooning of this phenomenon or the country 
would find it difficult to achieve fiscal discipline. This issue has 
been discussed in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies 
(MEFP) of the IMF on the basis of which the Fund's executive board 
will approve the fourth tranche for Pakistan worth $1.2 billion on 
December 23." 
 
News Story: Militancy Impeding Economic Growth "The News" (12/18) 
 
"The ongoing military offensive against militants in South 
Waziristan Agency (SWA) has dented the government's efforts to put 
the national economy back on the growth path as no one had 
anticipated the backlash in the form of deadly suicide bombings in 
the main cities of Pakistan. The high-ups of the Ministry of Finance 
said this in their presentation to the National Assembly's Standing 
Committee on Finance, which met in Islamabad on Thursday." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
Editorial: The Post-NRO Reality, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (12/18) 
 
"There are smiles on many faces. The Karachi Stock Exchange has 
shown signs of bouncing back and there is some sense of excitement 
almost everywhere. The scrapping of the NRO by the Supreme Court has 
revived some hope that morality and justice do after all exist and 
from time to time assert themselves over all else.... The exuberant 
response to the scrapping of the NRO has brought expectations that 
we could now be moving towards establishing a society which is 
somewhat less corrupt than the one we know today." 
 
Editorial: A Landmark Judgment, an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (12/18) 
 
"The latest Supreme Court judgment is in line with the new national 
mood and aspirations of the people for a corruption free Pakistan - 
a society based on the rule of law and constitution. It is to be 
hoped that the annulment of the discriminatory National 
Reconciliation Ordinance will be followed by actions to bring to 
book law breakers.... The Supreme Court decision has in this regard 
set a healthy precedent." 
 
Editorial: Historic Decision On NRO: More Expectations From The 
Supreme Court, an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu 
daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (12/18) 
 
"The nation rightly expects that  that the higher judiciary should 
also order the return through Interpol of  NRO-creator general 
(retired) Musharraf, and try him in  several cases including the Lal 
Masjid-Jamia Hafsa  incident; appointing his favorites on key 
positions; and getting loans worth billions written off.  This would 
ensure that in future no one would dare amend the Constitution and 
bring black laws in.  This can only be done by the superior 
judiciary because the politicians have disappointed the nation." 
 
Editorial: Supreme Court Verdict And Our Politics, an editorial in 
the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (12/18) 
 
"It must be remembered that NRO beneficiaries are not responsible 
for all the ills besetting the country today. There are several 
others who are running around scot-free.... We will lose a golden 
opportunity [for across the board accountability] if we limit the 
campaign against corruption to one or a few individuals. Pakistan 
has now been bestowed with a judiciary that has integrity and 
dignity. We all stand to lose if just a few persons are made a 
target." 
 
Editorial: Austerity Measures, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(12/18) 
 
"Austerity became a buzzword soon after this government came to 
power last year. But talk aside, little was done on the ground to 
minimize expenses.... Such official profligacy is nothing new in 
Pakistan. But what made it particularly distasteful was that it came 
at a time of severe economic stress when the country was looking to 
the IMF for survival and the ranks of Pakistan's newly poor were 
swelling.... The government needs to show that it is alive to the 
misery of the people and is taking steps to alleviate their 
condition." 
 
Editorial: Suspicious Activities of Foreigners in Pakistan, an 
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily 
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (12/18) 
 
"The persistent incidents of altercation between the police and the 
foreigners, especially the American diplomats, over the latter's use 
of vehicles with tinted panes and having fake number plates in 
various cities has become almost a constant source of concern and 
panic in the Pakistani masses. However, it is a good omen that our 
law-enforcement agencies have realized their responsibilities and 
are searching these vehicles. We think that all hurdles in the way 
for independent Pakistan would cease to exist on the very day when 
our rulers, too, will change their thinking." 
 
Editorial: Zardari's Correct Response To Obama, an editorial note in 
the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 
150,000) (12/18) 
 
"President Zardari has rejected an appeal by the U.S. to expand the 
scope of the military operation.... The U.S. is trying to create a 
situation in Pakistan similar to Columbia or Iraq; scores of 
Americans travel within Pakistan in tinted-glass vehicles carrying 
weapons. When the police stop them [at checkpoints] they [Americans] 
adopt an inappropriate stance. Do Pakistani diplomats in the U.S. 
have such privileges? The U.S. must announce the number of 
diplomatic staff it has [in Pakistan] and direct its diplomats to 
respect Pakistani laws, to obey the directives of Pakistani law 
enforcement agencies." 
 
Editorial: Right Way, At Last!, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (12/18) 
 
"It is an undeniable fact that involvement in the war on terror has 
created a host of problems for us and given rise to greater dangers. 
Indian machinations to destabilize Pakistan through its presence in 
Afghanistan is one instance of that danger. If the U.S. really 
esteems Pakistan's friendship President Obama should actively pursue 
his own thoughts about the resolution of Indo-Pakistan disputes as a 
prerequisite to peace and stability in the region. President 
Zardari's reference to 'historical conflicts' and call for their 
settlement should, therefore, be taken in right earnest." 
 
Opinion: "Blackwater" an op-ed by Hamid Akhtar in the liberal Urdu 
daily "Express" (circ. 25, 000) (12/18) 
 
"Some people are pointing to a threat of [the U.S.] taking control 
of our nuclear assets through Blackwater, but Interior Minister 
Malik, the U.S. Embassy and U.S. representatives visiting Pakistan 
strongly deny  Blackwater's presence in the country. What is 
Blackwater? We got the facts after reading Jeremy Scahill's book on 
it, after which I fervently hope that the denials of its presence in 
Pakistan are true.... The last chapter of the book [the Urdu 
translation of it] is titled 'Blackwater's Activities in Pakistan,' 
the matters discussed in it are based on hearsay, and are not 
referenced with facts. It is also not clear whether this last 
chapter is a part of the original [Scahill] book or was added by the 
Urdu translator. There are no details given either about the [Urdu] 
translator or publisher. Some unnecessary details also get in the 
way of the reader's interest. However, the book could be a great 
help in understanding the present dangers facing the country. This 
[Urdu] version is 400 pages, and is priced at Rs 400/- It is 
available at Darul Shaoor, 37 Mozang Road, Lahore." 
 
Opinion: The Fog of War, an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the 
Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (12/18) 
 
"The claims about the Drones did not go unchallenged in the American 
media with several experts questioning if they did not create more 
enemies than they eliminate and whether these would hurt America's 
cause more in the end. However hotly contested the arguments, what 
concerns Pakistanis, who bear the brunt of these policies, is what 
the leads about a threatened escalation portend for the country. If 
implemented such a course of action will have serious ramifications 
for national stability and security. Leaks are not policy. But the 
pattern of the leaks is much too familiar for Islamabad not take 
urgent notice and undertake a careful evaluation of the risks ahead. 
The immediate danger - even before any planned escalation 
materializes - is that this coercive diplomacy-by-leaks can 
reinforce official and popular Pakistani suspicions about U.S. 
intentions, intensify public alienation from the West, and promote 
more anti-American rage. By contributing to such a toxic environment 
this strategy of leaks can badly backfire making it infinitely 
harder for the government (Pakistani) to cooperate 'fully' with the 
U.S., as President Obama is asking Islamabad to do. This should give 
the sources of these leaks much pause for thought." 
 
Opinion: If U.S. Attacks Quetta?, an op-ed by Ashraf Javed in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(12/18) 
 
"Under the circumstances drone attacks on Balochistan and especially 
on Quetta will unleash a harsh public reaction, creating 
circumstances for Indian sponsored BLA and other separatist parties 
to take the lead. Indian involvement in Balochistan is like an open 
secret. U.S. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen 
has already raised the issue of Balochistan with the Indian 
leadership.... If U.S. forces opt to eliminate few Al-Qaeda or 
Taliban leaders, presumably hiding in Balochistan through drone 
attacks, that will create a serious crisis for the sitting 
government, besides overstretching Pakistan armed forces operation, 
ultimately climaxing into turnabout in presently improving public 
perception about U.S.... Initiating drone attacks on Balochistan 
would be tantamount to supporting Indian regional ambitions at the 
cost of their own victory in Afghanistan. Under the circumstances, 
instead of conducting drone attacks on Balochistan and neutralizing 
Pakistan's ability to support them, it will be more pragmatic to 
keep low the level of violence in the area and work on economic 
uplift of Afghanistan and resolution of long-term regional 
disputes." 
 
Opinion: Ethnicity in Afghanistan, an op-ed by Arif Ayub in the 
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(12/18) 
 
"Ethnicity is the most important element in Afghanistan's churning 
politics and unfortunately an issue which has received the least 
attention from the U.S. as it has tried to stabilize that 
country.... The U.S. had at least theoretically tried to provide an 
ethnic framework for the Afghan army with the recruitment based on 
40 percent Pashtuns, 25 percent Tajiks, 20 percent Hazaras and 10 
percent Uzbeks. However, despite the skewed quotas, the reality was 
even worse and in the security organizations the Pashtun percentage 
was around 10 percent and in the officer cadres it was almost 
negligible. These discrepancies have to be corrected before even 
contemplating any increase in the army and police forces, which 
would otherwise merely feed the sense of grievance of the 
Pashtuns." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson