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UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000380 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT:  PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 17, 2010 
 
Summary:  Coverage of Prime Minister Gilani's statement, 
backtracking on the judges' ratification issue, stating that 
restored judges "don't need Parliament's approval," and later his 
"surprise appearance" at the Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's 
dinner in an effort to "defuse the judicial crisis" dominated 
front-pages of all newspapers on Wednesday morning.  Reports of the 
arrest of Afghan Taliban's top military commander Mullah Baradar in 
an operation in Karachi also made headlines in several major 
dailies.  However, newspapers also reported that the White House 
refused to discuss publicly the Barader's arrest, and Pakistani 
Interior Minister Malik termed the reports as "propaganda."  The 
ongoing visits of several senior U.S. officials continued to garner 
extensive coverage both in print and electronic media.  Senator 
Kerry's meetings with top Pakistani political and military leaders, 
and his willingness to "fund 'visible' projects in Pakistan" to stem 
the tide of rising anti-Americanism and improve U.S. image, received 
prominent display.  Likewise, media also covered Senator McCaskill's 
meetings with Punjab Governor Taseer, Chief Minister Sharif, and 
PML-Q leader Pervez Elahi in Lahore.  Also reported were 
Undersecretary Flournoy's meetings with military officials, and her 
press talk, announcing to "provide UAV ScanEagle to Pakistan." 
Reports and large photographs of the enthralling performance of 
American Voices together with Pakistani artists in Islamabad were 
highlighted on metro-pages of nearly all major newspapers.  The 
launching of a U.S. program to provide grants to Bolton Market 
traders in Karachi who lost their businesses in the fire that 
followed riots in December 2009 was also reported.  Media covered a 
protest demonstration in Lahore against the verdict in Dr. Aafia 
case.  By and large, all mainstream newspapers penned editorial 
comments on the present showdown between the government and 
judiciary over the appointment of the judges.  However, "Dawn," 
opted to editorialize Ambassador Patterson's recent remarks about 
Pakistan's economy, and noted that "as a major donor, America 
perhaps feels it has a right to expect that the funds it provides 
are used not just to plug existing fiscal holes but to build a 
foundation for future sustainability."  End Summary. 
 
TOP STORIES 
 
News Story: Govt. Likely To Withdraw Notifications  - "The News" 
(02/17) 
 
"In what is already being dubbed as a critical breakthrough in a 
critical period, the prime minister is expected to announce the 
formal withdrawal of the two suspended presidential notifications 
today (Wednesday) following his scheduled meeting with Chief Justice 
of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry at 3pm." 
 
News Story: Afghan Taliban's Chief Commander Captured  - "Dawn" 
(02/17) 
 
"The senior-most military commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar of 
the Afghan Taliban was captured from outskirts of Karachi about a 
week ago in what is being described in Karachi as a joint operation 
carried out by Pakistani and American intelligence agencies." 
 
News Story: Baradar More Dangerous Than Omar  - "Dawn" (02/17) 
 
"Known as a brilliant and charismatic military commander Mullah 
Abdul Ghani Baradar was the second-most powerful figure in 
Afghanistan's Taliban movement. He was described by many terrorism 
experts as more cunning and dangerous than even the Taliban supreme 
leader and his old friend Mullah Omar." 
 
News Story: White House Declines To Discuss Baradar's Arrest; Kerry 
Says Capture Proof of Strong Cooperation - "Dawn" (02/17) 
 
"The White House on Tuesday refused to discuss publicly the arrest 
of the Taliban's military chief in Karachi about seven days ago but 
did not reject the suggestion that he had been captured. Earlier, 
while speaking to various news outlets, U.S. officials confirmed 
that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was arrested in a secret joint 
operation by Pakistani and U.S. intelligence forces. 'This is a 
major player in the Afghan Taliban, someone with a lot of blood on 
his hands,' a senior U.S. official told Fox News. 'If he's off the 
streets, it would be a serious setback for the Taliban in the near 
term and deal a severe personal blow to Mullah Omar, who has relied 
on him for years as a trusted associate.' Mullah Baradar's arrest 
was also confirmed by the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee John Kerry who told CBS News that his capture 
was proof of a 'stronger cooperative effort' between the United 
States and Pakistan." 
 
News Story: U.S. Media Reports On Arrest 'Propaganda': Malik  - 
"Daily Times" (02/17) 
 
"Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday branded as 'propaganda' 
reports that the top Taliban military commander had been arrested in 
a joint Pakistani-U.S. operation. Addressing reporters outside 
parliament in Islamabad, the minister stopped short of either 
confirming or denying the media reports." 
 
News Story: Taliban Deny Report Of Baradar's Arrest  - "Daily Times" 
(02/17) 
 
"An Afghan Taliban spokesman on Tuesday denied a U.S. report that 
the group's military commander had been arrested by U.S. and 
Pakistani forces in a secret operation in Pakistan. 'The rumors 
reported today on the arrest of Mullah Baradar are all untrue. It is 
a big lie,' Yousuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman told AFP by telephone 
from an undisclosed location." 
 
News Story: President Seeks Closer Ties With U.S.  - "The News" 
(02/17) 
 
"President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday said that Pakistan looked 
forward to engaging more closely with the United States on bilateral 
political track, including strategic dialogue. U.S. Senator John F. 
Kerry Tuesday called on President Zardari here at the Presidency. 
Matters relating to Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, 
bilateral relations, fight against militancy and terrorism and 
regional situation were discussed during the meeting." 
 
News Story: Zardari Wants U.S. Aid Thru Govt.  -  "Pakistan 
Observer" (02/17) 
 
"Talking to U.S. Senator John Kerry on Tuesday, President Asif Ali 
Zardari has stressed the need of channeling U.S. aid through the 
government in accordance with its priorities and programs to ensure 
transparency, accountability and efficacy." 
 
News Story: No Money Before Audit, Kerry Tells Zardari  - "The News" 
(02/17) 
 
"U.S. Senator John F. Kerry reminded President Asif Ali Zardari 
during a meeting on Tuesday that they could not release money under 
Coalition Support Fund (CSF) for the year 2010 before the audit of 
the disbursements made in 2009. Senator Kerry was accompanied by 
Ambassador Anne W. Patterson." 
 
News Story: PM Tells Kerry How To Bridge Pak-U.S. Trust Deficit  - 
"The News" (02/17) 
 
"Prime Minister Gilani on Tuesday stressed the need to bridge the 
trust gap between Pakistan and the U.S. so as to put on fast track 
development in the militancy-affected areas, as it could have 
implications for the success of the war against terror. The prime 
minister was talking to Senator John Kerry, Chairman of U.S. Senate 
Foreign Relations Committee, who called on him at the PM House.... 
The prime minister suggested that in order to improve perceptions 
attached to the U.S. image in the country, Pakistan should be 
de-listed from amongst the countries whose nationals had been 
designated for special screenings at the U.S. airports; Dr. Aafia 
Siddiqui should be repatriated to Pakistan, and both countries, 
through enhanced intelligence-sharing and defence cooperation, 
should agree to a joint strategy under which the drone technology 
could be transferred to Pakistan. He also emphasized on immediate 
resumption of Coalition Support Fund to release the pressure on the 
country's budget.... Senator John Kerry agreed with the prime 
minister on the need of fast tracking the development process and 
hoped that both sides will soon agree on identification of visible 
projects to be undertaken with the U.S. assistance." 
 
News Story: Kerry Meets Gilani: U.S. Agrees To Fund 'Visible' 
Projects In Pakistan - "Dawn" (02/17) 
 
"In what is seen here as a major shift in its aid strategy for 
Pakistan, the United States has decided to fund large development 
projects to stem the tide of rising anti-Americanism and improve its 
image. 'Both sides will soon agree on identification of highly 
visible projects to be undertaken with the U.S. assistance,' U.S. 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry told Prime 
Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday. According to a U.S. Embassy 
statement, Senator Kerry met political and military leaders and 
discussed with them Pakistan government's priorities for the most 
effective and transparent implementation of United States assistance 
funds." 
 
News Story: Top U.S. Officials Meet COAS - "The News" (02/17) 
 
"Senator John Kerry, Chairman U.S. Senate Foreign Relations 
Committee, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq 
Parvez Kayani on Tuesday. The visiting dignitary remained with the 
COAS for some time and discussed matters of mutual interest. 
Meanwhile, a delegation of the U.S. Congress also called on the Army 
Chief. The delegation was led by Senator Claire Conner McCaskill." 
 
News Story: U.S. Under Secretary Meets CJCSC - "The News" (02/17) 
 
"Ms. Michele Flournoy, U.S. Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, 
called on General Tariq Majid, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff 
Committee (CJCSC) at the Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi on 
Tuesday. According to a press release, they shared views on the 
evolving regional security situation, Pak-U.S. defence cooperation 
and other issues of mutual interest to both countries." 
 
News Story: U.S. Takes Kayani On Board; 5-Year Anti-Terror Plan - 
"The Nation" (02/17) 
 
"The visiting U.S. Under-Secretary of Defence for Policy, Ms Michele 
Flournoy Tuesday met with the Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez 
Kiyani at the GHQ and discussed matters of mutual interest. 
According to U.S. Embassy sources, Ms. Flournoy discussed Pak-U.S. 
bilateral security relationship during her meeting with General 
Kayani. However credible military sources maintained that the 
visiting U.S. dignitary had taken General Kayani on board over the 
U.S. five-year counterterrorism program being designed by Pentagon 
for supporting anti-terror efforts." 
 
News Story: U.S. Seeks Pakistan's View On Taking Strategic Ties 
Forward - "The News" (02/17) 
 
"The United States is seeking Pakistan's views on how and in which 
manner to take forward their strategic relationship in the future, 
as cooperation in defence relations reaches 'new levels' at an 
important time. Articulating these thoughts with the media, the 
visiting Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Michael Flournoy, who 
had just wrapped up meetings with the entire military leadership and 
even managed to make a quick trip to Peshawar, termed these parleys 
'productive' and 'useful,' which she feels because of common 
interests would lead to a 'positive' future." 
 
News Story: U.S. Ready To Supply UAV ScanEagle To Pakistan: Official 
 - "Daily Times" (02/17) 
 
"The U.S. is ready to provide the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 
ScanEagle to Pakistan to improve its reconnaissance capacity, U.S. 
Under Secretary of Defence Michele Flournoy said on Tuesday. 
Flournoy was talking to reporters at the end of her two-day visit to 
Pakistan." 
 
News Story: Demands U.S. Release $2b Owed To Pak Immediately  - "The 
Nation" (02/17) 
 
"Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence 
Production, Lt Gen (Retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, has called upon the 
U.S. to immediately release the held up Coalition Support Fund (CSF) 
worth two billion dollars to take the ongoing war on terror to its 
logical end. 
Talking to a delegation led by U.S. Under Secretary of Defence, Ms 
Michele Flournov, which called on him at the Parliament House, Qazi 
made it clear in the meeting that delays in release of CSF was 
causing enormous harm to our efforts for eradication of terrorism." 
 
 
News Story: U.S. Asked to Build Long-Term Ties With Pakistan - "The 
News" (02/17) 
 
"Punjab Governor Salman Taseer has said that the U.S. should take 
steps like China to build a long term, durable and deep-rooted 
friendship with People of Pakistan. He expressed these views while 
talking to a delegation of U.S. Senators who called on him at 
Governor House on Tuesday in Lahore." 
 
News Story: U.S. Lawmakers Call On Punjab Chief Minister  - "The 
News" (02/17) 
 
"Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the promotion of 
economic activities and elimination of poverty, ignorance and 
unemployment were vital for the eradication of extremism and 
terrorism. He said that after the successful operations in Swat and 
Waziristan, provision of basic facilities to people of the areas 
would have to be ensured to win their hearts. He was talking to the 
members of the U.S. Congress who called on him at the Chief 
Minister's Secretariat here on Tuesday. Regional situation, the war 
on terror, bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest were 
discussed in the meeting." 
 
News Story: A Tapestry of Dance & Music - "The News," "Dawn," "Daily 
Times" (02/17) 
 
"The audience went wild in ecstasy at the National Art Gallery 
Auditorium on Tuesday evening, as 50 Pakistani youth performed with 
professional performers of American Voices in a Hip Hop Broadway 
repertoire, spreading the message of youth empowerment through 
performing arts. The show was organized by the U.S. Embassy in 
collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), 
National College of Arts, Hunerkada College of Visual & Performing 
Arts and the Empty Space Theater. Minister Counselor Public Affairs 
at U.S. Embassy Larry Schwartz inaugurated the show and described 
the event as a rich cultural tapestry of dance and music, building a 
new bridge of friendship and understanding among the people of 
America and Pakistan." 
 
News Story: U.S. Provides $10 Million For Recovery Of Business Of 
Bolton Market Traders - "Nawa-i-Waqt" (02/17) 
 
"In a ceremony today, the United States launched a program to 
provide $10 million (Rs. 840 million) in cash grants to Bolton 
Market traders who lost their businesses in the fire that followed 
city-wide riots in December 2009. The assistance provided by the 
U.S. Agency for International Development augments $41.6 million 
(Rs. 3.5 billion) in relief already provided the traders by the 
federal and Sindh provincial governments through the Karachi Chamber 
of Commerce.  The government assistance reimbursed the traders for 
loss of inventory and infrastructure; this U.S. assistance will 
compensate the business for lost revenues since the fire. Speaking 
at the ceremony, Stephen Fakan, U.S. Consul General for Karachi said 
the entrepreneurs in Bolton Market have suffered as a result of the 
destruction, but so has the economic chain of vendors, suppliers and 
service providers that depend on these businesses. He added that 
getting these enterprises back on their feet will ultimately benefit 
millions of Pakistanis. He praised the Pakistani and Sindh 
governments for their quick response to the disaster, in which a 
terrorist attack on an Ashura mourning procession sparked rioting 
that ended in the destruction of the market." 
 
News Story: Students Flay U.S. Verdict Against Aafia  - "The Nation" 
(02/17) 
 
"Venting their outrage at Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's conviction, hundreds 
of students affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 
Tuesday marched from The Mall towards American Consulate to flay 
U.S. excesses in the name of justice and press international 
community to play its role for immediate release of Aafia." 
 
TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES 
 
News Story: Bombs Hinder NATO Offensive  - "The News" (02/17) 
 
"Thousands of U.S.-led troops fighting to capture a key Taliban 
bastion in Afghanistan risked becoming bogged down on Tuesday, 
running into resistance from mortars and scores of buried bombs.... 
'We are advancing slowly because areas have been mined,' Afghan Army 
Chief of Staff Besmillah Khan said on the fourth day of the massive 
offensive on Marjah, in the opium heartland of the southern province 
of Helmand." 
 
News Story: U.S. Marines Link Up With Units In Marjah  - "Daily 
Times" (02/17) 
 
"U.S. Marines, moving by land from the north, on Tuesday linked up 
with U.S. and Afghan units that have faced nearly constant Taliban 
attack in the four days since they were dropped by helicopter into 
this insurgent stronghold in southern Afghanistan. Also on Tuesday, 
U.S. artillery fired non-lethal smoke rounds to disperse Taliban 
fighters in Marjah - the first time cannons have been used in the 
fight to drive the militants from their logistical and opium 
poppy-smuggling base." 
 
News Story: India-U.S. Alliance Irks UNAMA  - "The Nation" (02/17) 
 
 
"Three weeks had barely passed before the controversial agenda 
devised in fizzled London moot had begun to backfire. Peace is not 
likely to prevail unless NATO gives a reversal to its dual strategy 
of keeping up with India and Taliban simultaneously. The 
developments that have surfaced lately have taken international 
observers and UNAMA by astonishing surprise. Some UNAMA officials, 
who are directly involved with peace building measures and 
reconciliation with Taliban, are shell shocked and irked over 
certain steps taken by U.S. military command in Afghanistan to 
create blind space for India." 
 
News Story: Arrested Americans Seek Release On Bail  - "The Nation" 
(02/17) 
 
"Defence lawyers for five Americans held in Sargodha for alleged 
militant links stepped up calls Tuesday for their clients to be 
freed on bail, saying the evidence against them was 'vague.' The 
five U.S. citizens were produced in an anti-terrorism court in 
Sargodha, where they were arrested in December 2009 on suspicion of 
trying to contact Al-Qaeda-linked militant groups and plot attacks. 
Officials said the court would rule Wednesday (today) whether to 
grant bail to the young men." 
 
News Story: U.S. Citizens Case Adjourned Till March 2  - "The News" 
(02/17) 
 
"The Anti-Terrorism Court Judge, Mian Anwar Nazir, on Tuesday 
reserved the verdict on the bail plea of five U.S. nationals facing 
terrorism charges till Wednesday (today) while adjourned the case 
till March 2. The court listened to the arguments of both parties. 
Later, the court allowed the accused to walk in the jail and ordered 
to provide them an English newspaper." 
 
News Story: 12 Killed In Bajaur Attack  - "Dawn" (02/17) 
 
"Ten militants and two civilians were killed when military aircraft 
bombed militants' hideouts in different areas of Bajaur on Tuesday. 
Eight civilians and five militants were also injured." 
 
News Story: Iraq, Afghanistan & Pakistan At Extreme Risk Of Terror 
Attacks  - "Dawn" (02/17) 
 
"Iraq is the country most at risk from terrorist attacks for the 
second straight year, according to a ranking by global analysts 
Maplecroft, while Thailand has joined the nine countries most in 
danger for the first time.... The risk consultancy's Terrorism Risk 
Index based on 2009 data ranks Afghanistan second, with Pakistan and 
Somalia third and fourth respectively. They are rated at extreme 
risk along with Lebanon (5), India (6), Algeria (7), Colombia (8) 
and Thailand (9), a Maplecroft statement said." 
 
POLITICAL ISSUES 
 
News Story: Govt. Negotiating Pardon  - "The Nation" (02/17) 
 
"Pakistan government, currently engaged in talks with U.S. 
authorities to resolve Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's issue, is also mulling 
over seeking presidential pardon for the Pakistani citizen after the 
judicial proceedings conclusion. Sources privy to the ongoing 
parleys between the two countries have confided to 'The Nation' that 
the U.S. was disinclined to giving any concessions to Pakistan at 
this stage when the matter was still subjudice." 
 
ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT 
 
News Story: U.S., SMEDA Discuss Joint Venture Projects  - "Daily 
Times" (02/17) 
 
"A five-member American delegation led by Ambassador Ms. Robin L. 
Raphel, Coordinator for Economic and Development Assistance, Embassy 
of the United States of America visited Small and Medium Enterprises 
Development Authority (SMEDA) to discuss joint venture opportunities 
in different fields of SME sector." 
 
News Story: IMF Again Calls For Mini-Budget  - "The Nation" (02/17) 
 
"Showing its concerns over the revenue collection, International 
Monetary Fund (IMF) has once again asked the Government to bring 
mini-budget to generate extra Rs 25 billion in order to meet the 
annual tax target set for the ongoing financial year, sources 
informed 'The Nation' on Tuesday." 
 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 
News Story: U.S. Needs To Make More ME Efforts To Corner Iran: 
Riyadh  - "Daily Times" (02/17) 
 
"Saudi Arabia believes more sanctions and military threats will not 
stop Iran's nuclear program and wants Washington to put more effort 
into negotiations, including an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, 
experts and Saudi officials said on Tuesday. After talks with U.S. 
counterpart Hillary Clinton on Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince 
Saud al-Faisal criticized Washington's push for more economic and 
political sanctions on Iran over its suspected nuclear weapons drive 
as too slow to work.... Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 
meanwhile, said talks were still going on over a proposed nuclear 
fuel swap and any country which tried to impose new sanctions on 
Iran would regret its actions. 'Of course, if somebody acts against 
Iran our response will definitely be firm enough ... (to) make them 
regretful,' Ahmadinejad told a news conference in Tehran, without 
elaborating." 
 
EDITORIALS/OPINIONS 
 
Editorial: American Envoy's Remarks, an editorial in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (02/17) 
 
"U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson's recent comments on how the 
Pakistan economy is being managed are not entirely without merit. As 
a major donor, America perhaps feels it has a right to expect that 
the funds it provides are used not just to plug existing fiscal 
holes but to build a foundation for future sustainability. And yes, 
it must be acknowledged that whatever Washington has pledged needs 
to be seen against the backdrop of a recession in the U.S. It is 
also understandable that taxpayers in the U.S. and other donor 
countries 'will not forever pay for Pakistan's economic and social 
development.'" 
 
Editorial: U.S. Must Do More!, an editorial in the center-right 
national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/17) 
 
"President Zardari did the right thing by telling a delegation of 
U.S. Congressmen that their country would have to mend its policy 
towards Pakistan in order for the trust deficit to be bridged. For 
that to be achieved, he told the delegation, which included Senator 
Claire Conner McCaskill, that the country was between a rock and a 
hard place as it had suffered losses worth $35 billion in the war on 
terror and was therefore in need of dire financial and military 
assistance from the U.S.. But his words carried a tinge of docility. 
He failed to mention that the drone attacks were indeed greatly 
destabilizing the country. The U.S. would have to change the way it 
is dealing with Pakistan, if it hopes to achieve success in the 
ongoing fight against militancy." 
 
Editorial: Still In Need, an editorial in the populist, often 
sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/17) 
 
 
"The UN has recently released the Pakistan Humanitarian Response 
Plan (PHRP) for 2010 which covers a period of six months and 
contains an appeal for $537 million.... Continuing conflict means 
that the IDP problem is not going away for perhaps years to come, 
and there is no guarantee that there will not be another massive 
surge if the Taliban are resurgent and the territory now won is lost 
again. We thus hope that the donor nations respond to the UN appeal 
quickly and in full, because 1.1 million people are still in need." 
 
 
Editorial: John Kerry should talk about Dr. Aafia, an editorial in 
the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 
150,000) (02/17) 
"American Senator and author of the Kerry-Lugar Bill, John Kerry has 
said that Pakistan and India should hold talks and if India feels 
that Pakistan is involved in the Pune blast then that issue should 
be at the top of the agenda.... He has also said that the two 
countries should not discuss Kashmir in the first round of talks. It 
is beyond comprehension as to who gave John Kerry the right to 
decide the agenda for Indo-Pak talks or why he felt the need to 
interfere in this matter. What he needs to think about is the issue 
of Dr. Aafia, a woman who was taken forcefully to their country and 
has been beaten and tortured by CIA, FBI, military and other secret 
agencies for more than 5 years.... Perhaps Senator Kerry will use 
the lame excuse that he cannot interfere in legal matters.... 
Pakistani nation hopes that Senator John Kerry will not act as a 
viceroy, but would instead act on the Human Rights Charter; and if 
he can, he should play a role in Dr. Aafia's release, and strive to 
bring this unfortunate woman and her missing children back to 
Pakistan. Similarly, the Pakistani-origin Americans being held in 
Sargodha should be given fair treatment." 
 
Opinion: 'Blinkered Justice'?, an op-ed Usman Ahmad in the populist, 
often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) 
(02/17) 
 
"As a nation we suffer from what can only be described as 
persecution complex. The knee-jerk reaction of 'they are out to get 
us' has been our response to countless issues ranging from the war 
on terror to the general treatment of Pakistan by the international 
community. The sentiment has been on display in the case of Dr. 
Aafia Siddiqui too. Our government and our society failed to realize 
that the best way for justice to be served and for Dr. Siddiqui to 
be released from the U.S. custody was to arrange for a strong 
defence during the court case.... Given the many levels of appeal in 
the U.S. legal system, there are still plenty of opportunities for 
justice to be served in this unpleasant case." 
 
Opinion: Dr. Aafia's Appeal, an op-ed by Rafia Zakaria in the 
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" 
(cir. 55,000) (02/17) 
 
"Ironically the most magnetic aspect of Dr. Aafia's appeal lies in 
the most harmful allegations leveled against her. Simply put, while 
it is entirely likely that the stories alleging that Dr. Aafia 
grabbed an unattended assault rifle and shot at her American 
interrogator are untrue, the possibility of their being correct 
titillates every Pakistani wanting to defy the U.S.... There is much 
valor even in the dream of defying the U.S. but should such defiance 
be the only mark of heroism in our society? Concern for human 
rights, due process and justice are venerated principles that apply 
universally and indeed unequivocally to Aafia Siddiqui's case but 
they also do so to all other cases of justice denied which may not 
vindicate a country's suffering pride but whose victims are equally 
tortured and helpless." 
 
Editorial: Taliban Putting Up Intense Resistance In Helmand 
Operation, an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi 
Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (02/17) 
 
"Beyond their wildest expectations, NATO and Afghan forces are 
facing intense resistance from the Taliban in the ongoing military 
offensive in the Helmand province. Meanwhile, the U.S. has claimed 
the capture of renowned Taliban leader Mullah Baradar from Karachi 
with a view to divert global attention from its impending defeat in 
Afghanistan. But all indications show that Washington cannot win 
this war because the Taliban are not the name of a group of 
individuals rather they symbolize the national resistance movement 
of the Afghan people." 
 
Opinion: Operation Moshtarak And Beyond, an op-ed by S.M. Hali in 
the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) 
(02/17) 
 
"Operation Moshtarak and beyond must take into consideration that 
there is no blowback to Pakistan, at the same time, trusting and 
enabling Pakistan, allowing it space to maneuver and operate while 
avoiding direct or indirect destabilization of Pakistan. The United 
States' responsibility is spelt out by Gordon Duff, a marine Vietnam 
veteran and former UN diplomat. He said: 'The U.S. must take into 
cognizance that 25 million Pashtun live on just the other side of 
the border in Pakistan. With the right help for Pakistan, the right 
economic programs and leadership, both countries could be helped and 
lives, perhaps millions, could be saved without pouring billions of 
useless dollars into the pockets of defence contractors infesting 
the halls of Congress, some with the arrogance and blatant 
insensibility of our actual elected leaders.'" 
 
Opinion: Pakistan Delivers A Taliban Treat, an op-ed by Syed Saleem 
Shahzad in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 
5,000) (02/17) 
 
"With the Pakistan military to a large degree setting the rules of 
the game with Washington for reconciliation with the Afghan Taliban, 
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's supreme commander in 
Afghanistan, has become the army's first major delivery for the 
United States' end game in Afghanistan.... Mullah Baradar's arrest 
could bring some limited benefits as he might divulge the 
whereabouts of some Taliban leaders, such as Mullah Hasan Rahmani 
and Mullah Jalil, who used to stay with him in Karachi. However, 
getting any information on Mullah Omar will be difficult as he moves 
around a lot.... Mounting pressure on Mullah Omar through Mullah 
Baradar could also backfire in that it might push Mullah Omar 
further towards Al Qaeda, which has raised impressive militias in 
Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province, especially in Mohmand and 
Bajaur tribal agencies and North Waziristan." 
 
Opinion: Coordination Of Trust, an op-ed by Muhammad Ismail Khan in 
the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 
10,000) (02/17) 
 
"In a recent development reported by The New York Times and 
confirmed by U.S. officials, a top Taliban leader, in fact number 
two by influence, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been captured a few 
days ago. That a joint intelligence operation of Pakistan and U.S. 
intelligence agencies led to his trail was something that was 
allegedly weak until now. More than this latest exercise, Baradar's 
abode from where he was caught, Karachi in Pakistan, should push 
states and their institutions to further enhance cooperation among 
themselves. This story should be enough to silence those who believe 
that the division of militants along different lines is the best way 
of dealing with them. Although, in rhetoric, everyone is against 
terrorism, there has been a noted disagreement over what constitutes 
threats to a certain state and even to a certain institution. Thus, 
whenever there is a major attack, we hear state institutions blaming 
each other; within Pakistan, every major bomb blast is followed by 
accusing fingers pointed towards the interior ministry for not 
averting the attack. The division seems to have served no purpose; 
rather it breeds mistrust among institutions, which also fritter 
resources allocated to them." 
 
Opinion: This Is Democracy?, an op-ed by Ameer Bhutto in the 
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 
55,000) (02/17) 
 
"U.S. Vice President Joe Biden recently stated that, due to 
Pakistan's nuclear capability and dysfunctional democracy, the 
situation here is a source of greater concern for the United States 
than Iraq or Afghanistan. This is most peculiar, since the present 
situation in Pakistan is a product of American hegemonic influence 
which it has exercised unabated more directly and forcefully than 
ever before in the aftermath of 9-11. Out-of-control events in their 
war on terror and the gathering steam against a highly unpopular 
government compelled the Americans to ditch Musharraf. Similar 
circumstances have now surfaced once again. The present setup is by 
no means indispensable to its foreign masters. In 2008, Zardari was 
ecstatic to oust Musharraf with the backing of his American 
benefactors. The time may have come for him to get a taste of the 
same medicine." 
 
(All circulation figures are based on estimation) 
Patterson