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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000115 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JANUARY 16-19, 2010 
 
Summary: Coverage of the Taliban attack in the heart of 
Afghanistan's capital dominated headlines in all major 
English-language newspaper on Tuesday morning.  However Urdu dailies 
preferred to focus on Prime Minister Gilani's statement, made in the 
National Assembly, ruling out any row with the superior judiciary. 
Newspapers highlighted reports that the Pak Army has conducted a 
successful test of shooting down drones near Muzaffargarh (Punjab). 
Reports of the forthcoming visit of the U.S. Defense Secretary Gates 
started appearing in the media, as "The Nation" reported that Mr. 
Gates is coming to Islamabad to "silence Pakistani drone critics." 
Media also reported that ISAF Commander in Afghanistan General 
McChrystal visited Chaman border and reviewed the security 
situation.  U.S. Special Envoy Holbrooke, who is in New Delhi, 
continued to garner attention in Pakistani media.  His remarks 
emphasizing the need to "involve India in peace efforts in the 
region" and that he expects "more action" from Pakistan in tackling 
Taliban and other issues were prominently displayed.  The Weekend 
editions of nearly all newspapers covered Ambassador Holbrooke's 
meeting with President Zardari, and the promise to "review the new 
screening regime instituted at U.S. airports."  In addition, papers 
also highlighted reports that Mr. Holbrooke expressed concerns over 
anti-American sentiments among Pakistanis despite channeling of 
millions of dollars of aid to the country. Yesterday (Monday) 
newspapers highlighted reports that 20 Taliban including foreign 
terrorists were killed in a U.S. drone strike in South Waziristan. 
Several major newspapers published a Sunday Times' story that the 
"Elite U.S. troops are ready to combat Pakistani nuclear arms 
hijack," and the Pakistani Foreign Office's immediate rejection of 
the report by terming it as "absurd and mischievous." "Dawn," 
editorializing a WP report about the U.S. spending on education in 
Pakistan, noted that "there is realization on America's part that 
its war strategy has been misdirected and that a military approach 
alone will not lead to a conclusive victory."  Commenting on the 
"U.S.'s India Tilt" the Lahore-based liberal paper, "Daily Times," 
observed that it "is creating suspicions in Pakistan that this may 
eventually translate into Indian hegemony in the South Asia region." 
End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: Audacious Attacks By Taliban In Kabul: 12 Dead   - 
"Dawn" (01/19) 
 
"Taliban gunmen and suicide bombers attacked buildings across the 
heart of Kabul on Monday, triggering fierce gun battles with 
security forces and killing at least five people, including a 
child." 
 
News Story: Senior Baloch Leaders Off ECL: Gilani Sees No Face-Off 
With Judiciary - "Dawn" (01/19) 
 
"Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani ruled out on Monday an 
opposition-perceived row with the countries superior judiciary with 
which, he told the National Assembly; his government had 'excellent 
relations'." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Test Fires Anti-Drone Technology; Laser-Guns 
Used To Hit 4 Drones - "The Post" (01/19) 
 
"The Air Defense Unit of Pak Army conducted a successful experiment 
of downing drones in Khudai Range near Muzaffargarh. Pakistan Air 
Defense Unit commander Lt-Gen Ashraf Saleem revealed that four 
drones downed with the help of 35mm radar, laser-guns and 127mm 
guns. He said that the Air Defense Unit of Pak Army is equipped with 
the latest system which is capable of downing every kind of drones." 
 
 
News Story: Gates Coming To Silence Pakistani Drone Critics - "The 
Nation" (01/19) 
 
"In a bid to silence US critics who have been raising voices against 
US policies in the region, especially US drone attacks inside 
Pakistan, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is expected to arrive in 
Islamabad this week on a two-day visit." 
 
News Story: India's Role Crucial To Regional Peace: Holbrooke - 
"Daily Times" (01/19) 
 
"Hailing Pakistan's fight against terrorism, US special envoy 
Richard Holbrooke on Monday emphasized the need to involve India in 
peace efforts in the region. Holbrooke said India was an important 
actor for regional peace, thereby, rejecting Pakistan's opposition 
to India joining a regional council on Afghanistan." 
 
News Story: Holbrooke Harps On 'Do More' Mantra - "The Nation" 
(01/19) 
 
"U.S. Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke 
on Monday said he expects 'more action' from Pakistan in tackling 
Taliban and other issues. The US Special Envoy said the spread of 
Taliban in the NWFP areas was the 'main subject' of his discussion 
with Pakistani leadership during his visit there last week." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: McChrystal Visits Chaman Border - "The Nation" (01/19) 
 
"Commander International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in 
Afghanistan General Stanley A. McChrystal visited Chaman border on 
Monday and reviewed the security situation. The official sources 
said earlier General Stanley A. McChrystal had arrived in Quetta. 
Commander Southern Command of Pakistan Army Lt. General Khalid 
Shamim Wyne and Inspector General Frontier Corps Major Saleem Nawaz 
also accompanied him during his visit to bordering area. Commandant 
FC Col. Asad Shehzad briefed the ISAF Commander about the security 
arrangements at Pak-Afghan border. He also visited Veshmandi area of 
Afghanistan." 
 
News Story: Holbrooke Promises Review Of New Screening Measures - 
"Daily Times" (01/16) 
 
"The U.S. regional campaign against militancy and the violence it 
has provoked in Pakistan have almost crippled the country's economy, 
said President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday. The president made the 
comments at a meeting with US special envoy Richard Holbrooke in 
Lahore. . . . Holbrooke assured Zardari that his government had 
agreed to review the new screening regime, and said the US homeland 
security secretary would personally look into the matter." 
 
News Story: Holbrooke Concerned Over Anti-America Sentiments Despite 
Aid - "The Statesman" (01/16) 
 
"U.S. Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke 
on Friday expressed concerns over anti-American sentiments among 
Pakistanis despite channeling of millions of dollars of aid to 
Pakistan." 
 
News Story: Foreigners Among 20 Taliban Killed In SWA Drone Strike - 
"Daily Times" (01/18) 
 
"A U.S. drone strike on Sunday killed at least 20 Taliban, including 
foreign terrorists, in a South Waziristan area where local Taliban 
chief Hakimullah Mehsud reportedly escaped death days ago, said 
officials. 
 
News Story: Elite US Troops Ready To Combat Pak Nukes Hijack - "The 
News" (01/18) 
 
"The US Army is training a crack unit to seal off and snatch back 
Pakistani nuclear weapons in the event that militants, possibly from 
inside the country's security apparatus, get their hands on a 
nuclear device or materials that could make one. However, a Foreign 
Office spokesman rejected the report saying Pakistan's strategic 
assets are as safe as that of any other nuclear weapon state and 
these assets are fully safeguarded and secure under the protection 
of a well-established command and control system . . .  however 
Pakistan strongly rejected the report of Christina Lamb and termed 
it 'rubbish and a figment of the imagination of the reporter'." 
 
News Story: Pak-Based Terrorists Main Threat To India: Narayanan - 
"Daily Times" (01/19) 
 
"India expects China to be an increasingly high security priority in 
the coming years, but the main threat still comes from militants 
based in Pakistan, New Delhi's former national security adviser MK 
Narayanan, said in an interview on Monday." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Says India Dampening Peace Hope - "Dawn" 
(01/19) 
 
"Foreign Office accused India on Monday of dampening peace prospects 
in the region by continuing its 'vicious' propaganda campaign 
against Pakistan. 'Indian foreign secretary's vitriolic remarks 
against Pakistan yet again reveal that the Indian government 
persists in its propaganda campaign that only vitiates the 
atmosphere, darkens the horizon and dampens hopes for peace and 
tranquility in South Asia,' said Foreign Office Spokesman Mr. Abdul 
Basit." 
 
News Story: Pak-Afghan Border Security Discussed - "Dawn" (01/19) 
 
"Military officials from Nato, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on 
Monday to enhance cooperation and intelligence sharing along the 
Pakistan-Afghan border." 
 
News Story: Security Forces Kill 10 Taliban In N Waziristan - "Daily 
Times" 
 
"Security personnel killed 10 Taliban and arrested five others in a 
clash in North Waziristan on Monday; officials' said. The incident 
occurred in the border town of Lwara Mandi, a bastion of Taliban and 
Al Qaeda fighters, a senior military officer said, AFP reported." 
 
News Story: Detained Americans Complain Of Torture - "Daily Times" 
(01/19) 
 
"Five Americans facing charges for allegedly plotting attacks 
against Pakistan and its allies alleged they were tortured in 
custody, as a court extended their detention on Monday. The five 
young men were arrested in December on suspicion of trying to 
contact Al Qaeda-linked groups, with police officials accusing them 
of trying to travel to Afghanistan to fight with the Taliban against 
US and NATO troops." 
 
News Story: Drone Strikes Unlikely To Hurt Taliban In Long Term - 
"Daily Times" (01/19) 
 
"A U.S. drone strike that nearly killed the Tehreek-e-Taliban 
Pakistan (TTP) chief may encourage the CIA to keep up its campaign 
to eliminate high-profile Taliban by remote control.But the strikes 
may only have limited success and generate more anti-American 
sentiment in Pakistan, which the US sees as a front-line state in 
its war on terror." 
 
News Story: Eight Terrorists Could Target Punjab - "Daily Times" 
(01/19) 
 
"Terrorists can target the province at any time in the coming days; 
police sources informed Daily Times on Monday. The sources said that 
the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba had dispatched 
around eight well-trained men who could target prominent cities in 
the province, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan." 
 
News Story: Boys' School Blown Up In Landikotal - "Daily Times" 
(01/19) 
 
"Terrorists blew up a boys' primary school in Landikotal tehsil of 
Khyber Agency on Monday, local officials said. The explosion, in the 
Ashraf Kalay village school, occurred at 3 a.m. Tribal 
administration official Daulat Khan told an AFP reporter that all 
seven rooms of the school were destroyed in the attack, however 
there were no casualties." 
 
News Story: 26/11 Attackers Were Indian, Says Kasab - "Daily Times" 
(01/19) 
 
"All four attackers in the Mumbai terror attacks were Indian 
nationals, Ajmal Kasab said on Monday. Kasab told Tahaliyani, the 
judge of the special court in Mumbai, that Abu Ismail, one of the 
four attackers, hailed from Mumbai." 
 
News Story: Mianwali Police Arrest Seven Terrorists  - "Daily Times" 
(01/19) 
 
"Mianwali police has arrested seven men who were wanted for their 
involvement in various terrorist attacks, a private TV channel 
quoted Sargodha Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mian Javed Islam as 
saying on Monday. Addressing a press conference, Aslam said the 
arrested men were involved in suicide attack in Khosa Market, Dera 
Ghazi Khan and the attack on former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in 
Attock." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: Indians Opened Unprovoked Firing: Rangers - "Dawn" 
(01/19) 
 
"Indian forces opened 'unprovoked' fire on Pakistani positions along 
the border near Sialkot on Sunday night, triggering an exchange of 
fire, Pakistan said on Monday. Indian troops using automatic weapons 
opened unprovoked fire on Pakistani positions, Rangers spokesman 
Nadeem Raza said, adding 'our soldiers strongly retaliated and 
forced them to stop firing'." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story: Govt In A Fix Over Oil Pricing Mechanism -"Dawn" 
(01/19) 
 
"The government is in a fix about revising the oil pricing mechanism 
for the benefit of consumers as desired by the Supreme Court, 
because proposals made by independent experts remain short of 
pulling the refining industry out of heavy losses." 
 
News Story: Sugar Crisis May Get Worse, NA Told -"Dawn" (01/19) 
 
"The sugar crisis may get worse in coming months with an estimated 
decline of over one million tons in production this year. The 
government said in the National Assembly on Monday that there was 
enough sugar last year, but this year there have been severe 
problems because of hoarding in view of an expected rise in 
international prices and reduction in sugarcane production." 
 
News Story: Zardari Promises Price Relief In Three Years -"Dawn" 
(01/19) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari said that prosperity would come to 
Pakistan within three years and the government would cut petrol and 
electricity prices and provide jobs to the masses." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story: Senators Call For Uniform Education System - "Daily 
Times" (01/19) 
 
 "Members of the Senate called upon the government on Monday to 
ensure the provision of education to every child and demanded a 
uniform education system across the country." 
 
News Story: Iran Promises Revenge On US, Israel For Killing 
Scientist - "Daily Times" (01/19) 
 
"Iran said on Monday it would take revenge on Israel and the US for 
the killing of an Iranian scientist last week, the media reported. 
Professor Massoud Ali-Muhammadi was killed in a bombing outside his 
home in Tehran on Tuesday. Officials have accused Israel and the US 
of being behind the assassination. Washington has dismissed the 
charge as absurd." 
 
News Story: Aafia Trial Begins Today In New York - "The Nation" 
(01/19) 
 
"The trial for Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist under US 
detention, will begin today (Tuesday) in New York City after jury 
selection was completed last week. A jury of seven women and five 
men were chosen Thursday, with four alternate jurors." 
 
News Story: Blackwater Active In Pak, Says Nizami "The Nation" 
(01/19) 
 
"It cannot be said that Waziristan operation was launched after 
having approval of the Parliament, rather it is purely a 
government's move. Neither any political party was taken on board 
nor had any political party given its permission." This was said by 
Majid Nizami, Editor-in-Chief Nawa-i-Waqt Group while talking to a 
private TV channel on Monday. " 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: Aid For Education, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(01/19) 
 
"According to the Washington Post, the US is all set to spend $200m 
on education in Pakistan this year. This is USAID's largest 
education program worldwide. There is realization on America's part 
that its war strategy has been misdirected and that a military 
approach alone will not lead to a conclusive victory. . . . With 
many ambiguities in the government's approach to education, it is 
not clear how the massive US aid meant to change mindsets is to be 
spent." 
 
Opinion: Generous Aid, an op-ed by Mir Jamilur Rahman in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (01/19) 
 
"The U.S. is mindful of the heap of problems that have piled up on 
Pakistan today and is threatening its security. It also realizes 
that the foremost problem is terrorism gnawing at the fabric of the 
society. The U.S. firmly believes that if Pakistan were to buckle 
down in the face of terrorism, regional and world peace would be 
shattered adversely affecting Pakistan as well as the western world. 
To ward off such an eventuality, the U.S. is providing massive 
assistance to Pakistan to deal with its problems. Some European 
countries are also contributing generously but it is no match for 
the U.S. efforts. In addition to the $7.5 billion earmarked for the 
next five years, the US is also helping out Pakistan in various 
social and economic fields. . . Prime Minister Gilani reminds the 
U.S. every other day that these strikes are counter-productive and 
bring more harm than benefit. One cannot convince the U.S. by using 
big words. One has to produce a better argument to convince them 
that their policy is flawed. Nothing impresses the U.S. more than a 
good argument backed by facts. . ." 
 
Editorial: U.S.'s India Tilt , an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (01/19) 
 
". . . . The U.S. attitude is not very helpful. It is embarking on a 
strategic partnership with India, which can ironically give rise to 
greater regional instability as it feeds into Pakistan's 
insecurities. US patronage gives India the feeling that it is 
winning vis-`-vis Pakistan on Kashmir and other regional issues. The 
very visible US tilt towards India is creating suspicions in 
Pakistan that this may eventually translate into Indian hegemony in 
the South Asia region in the near future." 
 
Editorial: Continuation Of Drone Strikes In Pakistan And Suicide 
Attack In Kabul; U.S. Withdrawal From Afghanistan Is The Only 
Solution, an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily 
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (01/19) 
 
"U.S. Special Representative has reached India after visiting 
Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Holbrooke should tell his defense ally 
(India) that exploitation of the Afghan soil against Pakistan's 
integrity will cost dearly to America and India.  Therefore, they 
should desist from their conspiracies.  In this connection they 
should consider Kabul suicide attacks as warnings and should go for 
the troops' withdrawal from Afghanistan after holding talks with the 
Taliban.  This will be in the interest of the region and America." 
 
Editorial: Increasing Drone Strikes: Reveal The Facts, an editorial 
in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/19) 
 
"Drone attacks are taking place regularly despite repeated protests 
by Pakistan. Initially, the drone attacks were few and far between, 
but now they happen at an almost daily basis, sometimes even twice a 
day... The situation is not very clear, the government keeps on 
making protests, but these protests do not have an effect on the 
U.S.... On the one hand, the U.S. is continuing drone strikes 
against Pakistan's wishes, but on the other hand it does not support 
Pakistan's desire to mediate in the Kashmir issue. This U.S. double 
standard is also affecting Pakistan's war against terror. Hence the 
government needs to adopt a clear stand." 
 
Editorial: Drone Issue Must Be Raised on International Level, an 
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily 
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (01/19) 
 
"Despite Pakistan government's continuing resentment over the drone 
attacks, there is no letup in these sorties. Defense Minister Ahmed 
Mukhtar has admitted that he does not see any change in Washington's 
policy on this issue. It seems that the U.S. considers the drone 
attacks as a successful and viable strategy in the ongoing war on 
terror. We think that the Parliament can adopt a unanimous 
resolution to raise this issue at the UN and other international 
forums such as the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC)." 
 
Editorial: Nuclear Assets: U.S. Should Not Be Concerned, an 
editorial-note in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily 
"Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (01/19) 
 
"According to a British newspaper, the U.S. has started training a 
crack unit keeping in view the threat of militants taking over 
Pakistan's nuclear assets. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Foreign Office 
spokesman Abdul Basit has said that propaganda against nuclear 
assets has no value....  The fact is that Pakistan's nuclear assets 
are a thorn in U.S.-Israeli-Indian side, and they cannot bear an 
Islamic country becoming a nuclear power. This is also the only 
reason they are opposing Iran...  The Pakistan government should 
make it clear to the U.S. that it need not worry about [Pakistan's] 
nuclear assets, Pakistan is fully capable of defending its weapons." 
 
 
Opinion: The Road Not Taken, an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (01/19) 
 
". . . In many of the 14 countries that the U.S. has placed on a 
virtual 'black-list,' traditional Islamic political movements are 
being outflanked in a sea of anti-Americanism by militant 
organizations with sympathy for Al Qaeda's narrative, even if they 
disagree with its methods. This is a disturbing trend which needs to 
be reversed, not reinforced by U.S. actions. . . The question 
Washington needs to ask is whether its anti-terrorism efforts can 
succeed in an environment of intense and growing anti-American 
sentiment. The only way to reverse this trend is to move decisively 
to resolve disputes, heal conflicts and engage with the grievances 
in the Muslim world that are leveraged by the extremists. Until 
strategies are fashioned to deal with the unjust situations in which 
Muslims find themselves as victims, the danger of radicalization 
will increase." 
 
Opinion: Downhill For Pakistan, an op-ed by Tariq Amin-Khan in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (01/19) 
 
". . . Zardari's government has allowed Pakistan to be a veritable 
playground for Blackwater/Xe, US Special Forces, a much-expanded US 
embassy 'staff' and complex (mimicking Iraq's Green Zone), and the 
trigger-happy controllers of aerial drones. Collectively, these boys 
with their deadly toys will wreak further havoc in the country. 
Furthermore, cowing before the demands of the US and the western 
world to 'do more' has been unprecedented under Zardari. He has 
effectively given a blank cheque to the Americans, while unprotected 
ordinary Pakistanis are left to face the fallout from his and the 
military's commitment to wage US's 'long war' (Pentagon's language 
for the 'war on terror'). The long war brings in its wake some 
terrible consequences in terms of untold death and destruction. . . 
. Given that the present leadership is incapable of promoting these 
ideals, the Pakistani people will have to decide whether they will 
roll over and submit or come together and resist. My view, based on 
the people's epic struggles for justice, is that they will choose 
the latter." 
 
Opinion: The Hunt For Hakimullah, an op-ed by Rahimullah Yusufzai in 
the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" 
(cir. 55,000) (01/19) 
 
". . . Pakistan's stated policy opposing the US drone strikes is 
also hard to believe, considering the fact that these missile 
attacks have facilitated its own task by eliminating some of its 
most dangerous enemies, such as Baitullah and Haji Omar. Since the 
government itself was unable to get these militants, Islamabad would 
be pleased if Hakimullah and the other militants too were taken out 
by the American drones. This is one reason why many Pakistanis are 
convinced that the authorities are secretly cooperating with the 
U.S. in carrying out the drone strikes, even though they publicly 
complain about it in a bid to calm down resentment among people. It 
also explains the government and military's reluctance to follow the 
parliament's unanimous resolution against the US drone attacks and 
its recommendation for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the 
NWFP and its tribal areas. That resolution wasn't meant to be 
implemented and the government's meaningless protests on this count 
shouldn't be taken seriously. And thus, for the foreseeable future, 
the US drone attacks and Pakistan's military operations in the 
tribal areas will continue, in the hope that the militants, after 
having lost all public support, will be eventually defeated." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
 
Patterson