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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000294 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 05, 2010 
 
Summary:  Coverage of India's offer to resume dialogue with Pakistan 
dominated front pages on Friday morning.  Reaction to the conviction 
of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui garnered extensive coverage. Newspapers 
reported protests across Pakistan labeling the verdict and America 
as anti-Muslim.  Papers carried official statements by President 
Zardari and the Foreign Office Spokesman expressing concern and 
dismay over the verdict.  Media reported Siddiqui's family's demand 
that Pakistan stop supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan until she 
is released.  Some dailies highlighted the Afghan Taliban's threat 
to execute a captive American soldier if Siddiqui is not released. 
Newspapers reported the arrest of 30 suspects in connection with the 
Lower Dir bombing.  Several dailies carried Special Representative 
Holbrooke's comments clarifying that the three American soldiers 
killed in the incident were U.S. military trainers and not 
contractors working for Xe Services, the firm formerly known as 
Blackwater.  The English daily, "Dawn," also reported Holbrooke's 
statement that reconciling conflicting regional security interests 
is a major dilemma for the U.S. in Afghanistan.  Media also 
highlighted General McChrystal's remarks urging NATO allies to send 
thousands of trainers to help strengthen Afghan security forces and 
exploit a window of opportunity to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda. 
Two Urdu language newspapers published the U.S. Mission's press 
release rejecting as "entirely false" media reports that NATO 
aircraft violated Pakistani airspace in Zhob (Baluchistan).  Media 
coverage of the military offensive in Bajaur Agency continued, with 
reports of 15 militants, including four foreigners, killed.  End 
Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: Pakistan Seeks Details Of Agenda: India Changes Tune; 
Offers High-Level Talks  - "Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"The Foreign Office said on Thursday it had sought clarification 
from New Delhi of its proposal for talks at the level of Foreign 
Secretaries. A senior Foreign Ministry official told 'Dawn' that 
India has proposed a meeting between Foreign Secretaries of the two 
countries, but has suggested no agenda. Diplomatic observers here 
are of the opinion that India would like the talks to focus on 
terrorism as against Pakistan's desire of resumption of full-scale 
Composite Dialogue which was suspended after the 26/11 Mumbai 
attacks." 
 
News Story: U.S. Welcomes Indian Offer Of Talks With Pak  - "The 
Nation" (02/05) 
 
"The Obama Administration on Friday welcomed the Indian proposal to 
hold talks with Pakistan at the level of Foreign Secretary. 'This is 
a welcome move,' the Assistant Secretary of State for Public 
Affairs, P.J. Crowley, told reporters at the Foggy Bottom 
headquarters of the State Department." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Expresses Dismay Over Unexpected Verdict Of 
American Jury In Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's Case  - "The News" (02/25) 
 
"Pakistan Thursday expressed dismay over unexpected verdict of the 
American jury in Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case. Reacting to the judgment 
in this case, Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said the 
Government will consult family of Dr.  Aafia and the team of defence 
lawyers to determine future course of action." 
 
News Story: Anger, Protest Over Conviction Of Dr. Aafia  - "Dawn" 
(02/05) 
 
"Political and lawyer leaders reacted angrily over the conviction in 
a U.S. court of neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui branding the 
decision American's bias against the Muslims. Dr. Siddiqui was 
convicted for the attempted killing of U.S. agents while in 
detention in Afghanistan in 2008." 
 
News Story: Zardari Orders Govt. To Provide Legal Aid To Aafia  - 
"Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"As demonstrations were held in various cities and towns of the 
country on Thursday in protest against an American jury verdict 
against Pakistani Neuro-Scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui, President Asif 
Ali Zardari ordered the government to provide all possible legal 
assistance to Dr. Aafia." 
 
News Story: Aafia's Family Wants NATO Supplies Shut  - "The Nation" 
(02/05) 
 
"The family of Dr Aafia Siddiqui believes that she will be released 
within three days if Pakistan closes down supplies to the NATO 
troops fighting in the war-ravaged country.... Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, 
an elder sister of Dr. Aafia, said while addressing a Press 
conference at her residence along with Senator Talha Mahmood, the 
Chairman of the Senate's Standing Committee on Interior Affairs here 
on Thursday." 
 
News Story: Taliban To Execute U.S. Soldier If Aafia Not Released  - 
"The News" (02/05) 
 
"The Afghan Taliban on Thursday demanded the release of Dr. Aafia 
Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist who has been convicted by the U.S. 
court on charges of her alleged attempt to murder U.S. soldiers in 
Afghanistan, and threatened to execute an American soldier they were 
holding currently. They claimed Aafia Siddiqui's family had 
approached the Taliban network through a Jirga of notables, seeking 
their assistance to put pressure on the U.S. to provide her 
justice." 
 
News Story: 30 Arrested After Attack On U.S. Forces - "The Nation" 
(02/05) 
 
"Police have arrested 30 suspects in connection with a bombing that 
killed three American soldiers, three children and a Pakistani 
paramilitary soldier outside a girls' school, an officer said." 
 
News Story: Soldiers, Not Blackwater Personnel Killed In Dir: U.S. 
- "Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"The three Americans killed by an improvised explosive device in Dir 
were U.S. military trainers and not contractors working for Xe 
Services, the firm formerly known as Blackwater, says Richard 
Holbrooke. The U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and 
Pakistan told reporters that two more American military personnel 
were injured in the roadside blast on Wednesday and were evacuated 
to Islamabad. All five were part of a convoy on the way to the 
inauguration of a girls' school in the area, Mr. Holbrooke said." 
 
News Story: Soldiers' Deaths Draw Focus To U.S. In Pakistan - "The 
Post" (02/05) 
 
"The deaths of three American soldiers in a Taliban suicide attack 
on Wednesday lifted the veil on United States military assistance to 
Pakistan that the authorities here would like to keep quiet and the 
Americans, as the donors, chafe at not receiving credit for, reports 
New York Times." 
 
News Story: India-Pakistan Conflict A Dilemma For U.S.  - "Dawn" 
(02/05) 
 
"A major dilemma for the United States in Afghanistan is to 
reconcile the conflicting security interests of countries like India 
and Pakistan, says a senior U.S. official. "The Indians have a 
legitimate series of security interests in that region, as do a 
number of other countries including, of course, Pakistan, China, and 
all the other countries that neighbor on Afghanistan," said Richard 
Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for the Pak-Afghan region, 
when asked to comment on the traditional jostling between Pakistan 
and India for greater influence in Afghanistan." 
 
News Story: U.S. Urges Allies To Send Trainers To Afghanistan  - 
"Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"The United States on Thursday urged NATO allies to send thousands 
of trainers to help strengthen Afghan security forces and exploit a 
window of opportunity to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The 
request came as the top commander in Afghanistan, U.S. General 
Stanley McChrystal, said that security was not deteriorating but 
that the corner had not yet been turned." 
 
News Story: No NATO Aircraft Violated Pakistan's Airspace: U.S.  - 
"Ausaf," "Al-Akhbar" (02/05) 
 
"U.S. Embassy has contradicted media reports that NATO aircraft 
violated Pakistan's airspace in the Zhob district on Wednesday. This 
accusation is entirely false. No NATO aircraft flew over the Zhob 
district as alleged in the article. Coalition and U.S. air 
operations in Afghanistan conducted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan 
border region are closely coordinated with Pakistan's Air Force." 
 
News Story: NATO Denies, But Jets Continue To Violate Pak Airspace - 
"The News" (02/05) 
 
"Pakistan has ordered security forces deployed on its western border 
to remain alert following airspace violation by the NATO aircraft on 
Thursday. Sources said at least two jet fighters of the NATO 
violated the Pakistan airspace twice and entered into the territory 
at Qamardin, a village situation near Zhob district of Balochistan 
province." (Story not available online) 
 
News Story: Foreigners Among 15 Killed  - "Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"Fifteen militants, four of them foreigners, were killed and 10 
injured when security forces backed by jets and helicopter gunships 
attacked militants' positions in Bajaur on Thursday." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: Bomber May Have Hit U.S. Vehicle With Help: Official   - 
"Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"Suspicion intensified Thursday that a suicide car bomber who killed 
three U.S. soldiers training Pakistani troops along the Afghan 
border had inside information on their movements. If confirmed that 
Wednesday's suicide attack was aimed at the Americans, it would 
indicate an increased sophistication in militant tactics, as well as 
potential infiltration of extremists in Pakistani security forces. 
The attack on U.S. forces occurred in Lower Dir, a northwest 
district believed to be a crossroads for al-Qaida and the Taliban." 
 
 
News Story: Pakistan Faces Backlash After Attack On U.S. Troops  - 
"Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"The Taliban bombing that killed three U.S. special forces soldiers 
in Pakistan on Wednesday could further weaken the government and 
hurt U.S. efforts to win more backing in the fight against 
militants. 'It will only convince the public, even moderate 
Pakistanis who are anti-Taliban, that the government is doing 
nothing expect lying to them, and the military for that matter,' 
said Ahmed Rashid, a Pakistani analyst and expert on militants. 'It 
will be a big blow for public morale.'" 
 
News Story: NATO Commander Calls On Kayani - "Daily Times" (02/05) 
 
"Commander of NATO training mission in Afghanistan Lt. General 
William B. Caldwell on Thursday called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) 
General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday at General Headquarters. 
The visiting dignitary remained with the COAS for some time and 
discussed matters of professional interest." 
 
News Story: U.S. Confirms Hakimullah's Death  - "Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"U.S. counter-terrorism officials are now confirming that Pakistani 
Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud is dead, the U.S. media reported on 
Thursday. Both CNN and Fox News quoted senior U.S. intelligence 
officials as saying that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief was killed 
in a drone attack last month." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: Troika Discusses Security, Indian Offer  - "Dawn" 
(02/05) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and 
Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani held an 
important meeting on Thursday evening and discussed issues relating 
to national security and the ongoing drive against extremism and 
militancy. The meeting gained added significance as it took place in 
the backdrop of the latest Indian offer of foreign secretary-level 
talks to resume the stalled composite dialogue with Pakistan." 
 
News Story: Pakistan Would Welcome Dialogue With India: FM  - "The 
News" (02/05) 
 
"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Thursday said India is 
signaling that it is ready to hold bilateral talks, a move Pakistan 
would welcome if the talks lead to the resumption of full dialogue, 
which India suspended in late 2008, a private news channel 
reported." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story: Pakistan Unlikely To Seek New IMF Funding  - "Dawn" 
(02/05) 
 
"Pakistan is unlikely to enter another lending program with the 
International Monetary Fund, but a final decision will be taken 
towards the end of the year, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said on 
Thursday." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story: Iran Tells Gulf U.S. Missiles Could Be Made Useless  - 
"Dawn" (02/05) 
 
"A senior Iranian military official told Gulf states on Thursday not 
to squander money on U.S. missiles, saying that Iran could render 
them useless, the state news agency Irna reported. Tehran on 
Wednesday slammed plans by the United States to beef up defence in 
the Gulf against potential Iranian missile attacks, with the Islamic 
republic insisting it posed no threat to its neighbors." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: Lower Dir Attack, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/05) 
 
"The Taliban would doubtless be euphoric over Wednesday's attack 
that killed three American servicemen who were reportedly on a 
training mission with the Frontier Corps.... What the Americans were 
doing there and the tragedy that followed are a typical example of 
the lack of a clear demarcation of lines that often characterizes 
coordination between Pakistani and American agencies at tactical 
levels.... It goes without saying that the Taliban wouldn't miss any 
opportunity to make themselves felt and strike even if this leads to 
heavy civilian casualties. What is important, however, is to realize 
that the Taliban suicide bomber could not have struck without a 
tip-off from insiders. The 'probe' that invariably follows such 
tragedies should consider this aspect of the security situation and 
flush out those among the Pakistani establishment who serve as the 
Taliban's eyes and ears." 
 
Editorial: Open And Brutal War, an editorial in the Lahore-based 
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/05) 
 
"In a bomb attack on a military convoy in Lower Dir, three American 
soldiers and four female students lost their lives.... It seems as 
if the TTP tried to kill two birds with one stone: killing American 
soldiers who were training Pakistani forces to fight the Taliban and 
al Qaeda and blowing up a girls' school as they have been doing in 
the past. It is horrendous that the Taliban once again did not 
shrink from attacking young female children. It proves once more 
that these fanatics have no mercy for anyone, women, children or the 
old. Those elements that have been advocating holding a dialogue 
with the Taliban need to open their eyes and see the true face of 
these monsters.... The only solution to the problem lies in pursuing 
the militants with full zeal. There should not be any let up in the 
operations against them. We have to see this struggle through to the 
bitter end." 
 
Editorial: Killing Of U.S. Soldiers In Dir Ignite Rumors, an 
editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan 
Observer" (cir. 5,000) (02/05) 
 
"Thursday's incident in Dir has confirmed that American troops are 
very much present in Pakistan and engaged in questionable 
activities.... In fact, reports have been appearing in media that 
American troops, intelligence personnel and agents of entities like 
Blackwater are found everywhere in the country, roaming freely and 
engaged in mysterious activities. There are apprehensions that their 
activities go beyond the scope of the war on terror, as they seem to 
be more interested in gathering sensitive information. The Dir 
incident requires explanation both from the Government of Pakistan 
and the United States, as it shows that there are some hidden 
aspects of the mutual cooperation as well, which come to surface on 
such occasions." 
 
Editorial: Lower Dir Bomb Blast: Something Needs To Be Clarified, an 
editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often 
sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (02/05) 
 
"The Lower Dir suicide bombing is a clear manifestation that the 
militants are still hiding in the Malakand division, which has been 
cleared by the army after operation, and their communication system 
is intact. This attack has also disclosed, for the first time, the 
presence of American military personnel in the far-flung areas of 
the country. We think that the government must tell the real facts 
behind this issue." 
 
Editorial: Lower Dir Suicide Attack: Another Futile Act, an 
editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 
55,000) (02/05) 
 
"The Lower Dir suicide bombing was different from other terrorist 
attacks, which played havoc in various parts of the country, in a 
sense that the U.S. soldiers were its real target. Though, these 
instructors had been assigned the duty to impart training to the FC 
personnel, but their participation in a civil ceremony has raised 
many questions about the real motives behind their arrival in 
Pakistan. In fact, the Pakistani public has serious reservations on 
the deployment of U.S. military personnel in the country and the 
killing of these American soldiers has reinforced the propaganda of 
certain elements who allege that Washington is interfering in our 
internal affairs." 
 
Editorial: The World Must Listen To General Kayani, an editorial in 
the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 
25,000) (02/05) 
 
"By sidelining Pakistan, the international community would be 
betraying a friend of peace and stability in the region and adding 
to the miseries of the Afghan people. What our political leadership 
and diplomats may not have said in such stark words, the army chief 
has, and we hope the world would listen to him. As to the London 
conference decision to 'buy over' a few thousands Afghans that must 
appeal to those to see Afghans as saleable commodity but, as General 
Kayani said, the Afghans 'sit on crossroads to see who is winning 
and who is losing'. Though the general is normally a man of a few 
words, what he says, he means, and that the world should 
understand." 
 
Editorial: Dr. Aafia And The U.S. Justice System, an editorial in 
the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (02/05) 
 
"In an unceremonious end to one of the most controversial cases to 
hit the U.S.-led, Pakistan-supported 'war on terror', Dr. Aafia 
Siddiqui has been found guilty by a U.S. court of attempting to 
murder American soldiers whilst being detained for questioning in 
Afghanistan in 2008.... Dr. Aafia's verdict was too predictable. The 
decision reeks of pre-judgment. If she is guilty, justice should run 
its course and be seen to be so doing, and if she is innocent, the 
entire Pakistani nation would like to have this long suffering 
citizen back home. Cases such as this are undermining the American 
constitution and justice system when too many questions remain 
unanswered and too many people remain unconvinced of the United 
States' intentions towards its perceived or real enemies within the 
Muslim community." 
 
Editorial: Judged Guilty, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05) 
 
 
"The trail from an ordinary middle-class household to top 
universities in the U.S. and then to prison in New York needs to be 
followed. It could offer an insight into the working of extremism. 
There is reason to believe that even now, groups are active in 
attempting to win over the minds of the best and brightest in the 
country. They must be prevented from doing so. This is possible only 
by rising above the hysteria that has been constantly present in the 
case of Dr. Aafia and by logically, and truthfully, investigating 
the many facets that lie behind her tragic story." 
 
Editorial: Aafia: Victim of 9/11, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/05) 
 
"When the statistics are added up, it will be found that Pakistanis 
have been the worst victims of 9/11 and the U.S. military crusade 
targeting many Muslim states and people in the wake of that 
September act of terror.... So it should not have surprised anyone 
to find Dr Aafia in the dock in a courtroom in New York City, where 
the trauma of 9/11 was probably most palpable, after having been 
battered, bruised and abused for an indefinite period in Bagram 
airbase, Afghanistan. For anyone who thought she would actually get 
justice, the jury decision on Wednesday should have cleared that 
little misconception about the US and its jury-based judicial 
system.... Today Dr Aafia is not just one Pakistani victim of 9/11; 
through her, the whole nation stands abused and victimized for a 
crime they did not commit. As for the state, it has died for all but 
the ruling elite of Pakistan." 
 
Editorial: Injustice Delivered To Dr. Aafia In The Name Of Justice, 
an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" 
(cir. 10,000) (02/05) 
 
"In a statement after the conviction of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui by the 
U.S. Federal Court, her sister has appealed to the Pakistani nation 
to remain calm. It seems that she gave this statement in a state of 
utter delusion because neither the demonstration of peace nor any 
protest by the Pakistani people can force the U.S. government to 
treat Pakistan as a sovereign country. To speak the truth, our 
rulers can even sell the sons and daughters of the soil for 
dollars." 
 
Editorial: Conviction Of Dr. Aafia By U.S. 'Jirga System', an 
editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily 
"Islam" (cir. 15,000) (02/05) 
 
"The conviction of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has exposed the true face of 
the American judicial system to the whole world. The verdict of the 
so-called 'Jury of U.S. Citizens' has surpassed the most inhuman 
punishments awarded by tribal Jirga systems throughout the world. We 
think that this decision would result in more hatred against America 
in the Muslim world." 
 
Editorial: Dr. Aafia Convicted, an editorial in the second-largest, 
nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (02/05) 
 
"In order to convict foreigners the American society portrays them 
as terrorists.  There is an American adage that 'first pronounce 
someone as a mad person and then kill him.' The entire Muslim 
community should protest over the American bias against Dr. Aafia." 
 
 
Editorial: American Court's Decision Against Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, an 
editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) 
(02/05) 
 
"Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was accused of attempting to murder two American 
soldiers and one FBI official in Gazni province of Afghanistan.  No 
one was injured in the alleged shootout....  Afghan police arrested 
Dr. Aafia and accused her of having chemicals canisters and some 
notes in her possession.  However, neither the chemical possession 
case was framed against her nor was she charged with terrorism.  On 
the second day of her arrest she was charged with attempting to 
murder Americans.... It is believed that she was abducted from 
Karachi along with her kids in March 2003 and kept secretly at 
Bagram Airbase....  Those who arrested or kidnapped her did not 
bother to think about severity of the crime.  It is dramatic to have 
some prisoner accused of firing shots with a snatched gun, but the 
allegation cannot hide the crime of kidnapping children. 
Investigation into the abduction of children is the responsibility 
of the American administration....  If a British woman journalist 
would not have exposed the imprisonment (of Aafia) her minor son 
would have still be in jail." 
 
Editorial: Vulnerable?, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05) 
 
 
"Nuclear safety once again exercises the minds of the U.S. Defence 
Intelligence Agency. Apparently our nuclear assets are 'safe but 
vulnerable' which would appear to be a contradiction in terms.... 
The Americans have spent a lot of money in recent years helping us 
upgrade our nuclear security and there is no reason to believe that 
they are any more vulnerable than those of India, North Korea or 
China - or America itself. Militarily, the Taliban have not the 
slightest chance of ever seizing, let alone detonating if they can 
assemble all the various parts, any of our nuclear weapons. So what 
are the vulnerabilities that so trouble Lt-Gen Burgess?" 
Editorial: A Rational Approach, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/05) 
 
"Gen. Kayani's incisive analysis of the sticky wicket the country 
stands on brings to light the dilemma of politicians irrevocably 
bogged down in a battle for political survival and hardly concerned 
about such crucial issues. They had better gird up their loins and 
seriously judge the situation. It is high time the PPP-led 
dispensation's hobnobbing with the U.S. and its apologetic stance 
toward the Indians was substituted with a rational approach that can 
keep Pakistan out of harm's way." 
 
Editorial: Quest For Peace, an editorial in the Karachi-based 
center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/05) 
 
"Briefing the media in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani 
admitted being India-centric as he explained the Pakistan military 
high command's view of the situation in the region. He reiterated 
Pakistan's old security concerns of which India and an Indian 
presence in Afghanistan have always been a part. Gen. Kayani 
maintained that Pakistan cannot afford to lower its guard and must 
base its strategy on India's military capability, not its intentions 
which could change at any point. But that was only one of the 
messages that came out from the meeting. Reports say the army chief 
also emphasized the need for a Pak-India dialogue. He said, and he 
was in sync with the political leadership of the country in making 
this statement, that Delhi should not allow 'a single terrorist act 
of a non-state actor' to scuttle the peace initiative." 
 
Opinion: Some Victories But Pitfalls Ahead, an op-ed by Shafqat 
Mahmood in the populist, often sensational national English daily 
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05) 
 
"It is critically vital for Pakistan to interact with the American 
establishment and make it understand the difficulties inherent in 
its new Afghan strategy. This has to be done now so that a course 
correction is possible or at least Pakistan's point of view is 
clearly understood. Any mismatch between American expectations and 
our compulsions has the potential to affect our domestic struggle 
against terrorism. A similar negative impact on our fight against 
terrorism has become visible because of Indian military's attempt to 
create a cold-start capability. In simplest terms, it means the 
ability to attack an adversary without warning. This is done by 
going on the offensive without mobilization. If India develops such 
a capability, obviously the Pakistani military has to be ready to 
face it. Protestation by the Indians that they have no desire to 
launch such an attack is not enough. As General Kayani says, his 
responsibility is to prepare for Indian capability, not become 
comfortable with its good intent." 
 
Opinion: Fumbling Response To A 'Cold' Doctrine, an op-ed by Ayaz 
Amir in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The 
News" (cir. 55,000) (02/05) 
 
"For the Cold Start Doctrine is not out of science fiction. It is 
now the heart of India's war plans against Pakistan.... The idea 
that if Pakistan is up to any mischief, and if it is to be taught a 
lesson, the way to deal with it is in the fashion of blitzkrieg: 
rapid armored thrusts, backed by heavy airpower, to hit at chosen 
targets in Pakistan and cripple the capacity of its army to 
retaliate. This presupposes rapid mobilization and the ability to 
attack before Pakistan has a chance to respond. In other words, 
catching Pakistan unawares.... We can't match India tank to tank or 
plane to plane. Such an arms race would be suicidal for us. Nor is 
it enough to say that our nuke capability is an adequate defence 
against conventional military attack. It is not. Down this path is 
Armageddon and even to think along such lines is to enter the realm 
of despair. If it is only the nuclear option that we can think of 
then it is a poor reflection on the resources still left to us." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson