PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 28, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001158 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MAY 28, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of a suicide attack on the police and ISI offices in Lahore "killing 26 people including 15 cops" dominated front pages in all newspapers on Thursday. Newspapers reported that the Tehrik-e-Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing. Interior Minister Rehman Malik's statement that the "terrorists were taking revenge for defeat in the Malakand division" received front page display. Several major dailies ran Ambassador Patterson's statement condemning the Lahore incident. Reports on the ISPR's claim that the "security forces secured 70 percent of Mingora town" were highlighted in all dailies. The English daily, "The News," reported that the "U.S. has asked India to reduce its presence at Pak-Afghanistan border." In yet another exclusive report, English daily, "Dawn," cited a senior Pakistani official as claiming that a "force of nearly 10,000 men is in place to ensure security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal." Most major newspapers ran editorials on the third major terrorist strike in Lahore in three months and the various facets of the ongoing military operation in Swat. The center-left independent national English daily "Dawn," observed that "what is needed is an urgent operation to track down terrorists infiltrating or living in cities and for them to be taken out before they can launch their destructive attacks." The second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt," noted that "we have no doubts about the involvement of satanic triangle of America, India and Israel in terrorism activities in Pakistan. Use of force against our own people is not the right way to reform them." The liberal Urdu daily "Express," wrote: "We also need to send a message to terrorists and extremists that the entire nation will support action against them (militants) if they do not give up their cowardly acts." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "26 Killed In Lahore Car-Bomb Attack; ISI Colonel, 15 Cops Among Dead; 400 Injured; Rescue 15 Building Destroyed, ISI Office Damaged" "The News" (05/28) "Twenty-six people, including an ISI colonel and 15 police officials, were killed and around 400 people injured when an explosive-laden vehicle on Wednesday rammed into the Rescue 15 building in Lahore. The explosion also damaged the adjacent office of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on Lawrence Road. The explosives weighing 100 kg razed to the ground the office of the police service, besides tearing the facade of the ISI building." "ISI Headquarters Main Target" "The News" (05/28) "Authorities investigating Wednesday's suicide attack in the provincial metropolis believe the actual target was the provincial headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Those investigating the assault say the attack was a hybrid operation, consisting of an armed attack by four gunmen and subsequent detonation of a car bomb. The terrorists accompanying the suicide bomber apparently wanted to penetrate the well-protected ISI building." "Taliban Claim Attack" "Dawn" (05/28) "The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the Lahore suicide bombing, a U.S. specialist Islamist monitoring group said." "Terrorists Taking Revenge For Defeat: Malik" "The News" (05/28) "Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Wednesday that the terrorists were defeated in the Malakand Division and they in retaliation attacked the Rescue 15 building in Lahore. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said that TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud threatened to carry out such acts a few days back." "No Let-Up In Anti-Terror War, Says Zardari" "Dawn" (05/28) "President Asif Ali Zardari declared on Wednesday there would be no let-up in the battle against terrorists and called for reinforcing capabilities of law enforcement agencies. According to the presidential spokesman in Islamabad, President Zardari took serious note of the Lahore blast, the first major terrorist attack since the launch of the Swat operation, and summoned a meeting of heads of all security agencies on Friday to review the security situation." "Blast Won't Affect Swat Operation, Says FM" "Dawn" (05/28) "Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said terrorist acts like Lahore blast can't weaken the government's resolve to wipe out militants from its soil and won't lesson the intensity of operation." "Statement By U.S. Ambassador To Pakistan Anne W. Patterson on Attack in Lahore" "The News," "Daily Times," "Jang," "Ausaf," "Islam," "Aaj Kal," and "Khabrain" (05/28) "U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson while condemning the Lahore blast said that the United States will stand with and continue supporting our friends and allies, the Pakistani people as they fight these extremists." "World Leaders Condemn Blast" "The News" (05/28) "UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sharply condemned on Wednesday's deadly bombing in Lahore, his office said in a statement. Meanwhile, the United States strongly condemned the bombing in Lahore as 'totally abhorrent and unacceptable' and voiced solidarity with Pakistani nation in its fight against violent extremism." "70pc Of Mingora Secured After Fierce Clashes" "Dawn" (05/28) "Security forces claimed on Wednesday to have secured 70 per cent of Mingora town after fierce clashes which left 286 militants and seven soldiers dead. Eight soldiers and 25 militants were injured in the fighting." "10 Militants Killed In Dir" "Dawn" (05/28) "Troops claimed on Wednesday to have killed 10 militants in Maidan area of Lower Dir on Tuesday night." "Taliban Fighters Flee Kalam As Troops Advance" "The News" (05/28) "More than 250 Taliban fighters reportedly fled Kalam in Swat district on Wednesday after hearing that the Pakistan Army troops were advancing towards the scenic town while a low-ranking commander of the militants named Khushmir was killed by the security forces along with his nephew in Satal area near Bahrain." "10 Militants Killed In Waziristan" "Dawn" (05/28) "Ten militants were killed as troops moved ahead in South Waziristan on Wednesday. Security forces claimed to have destroyed several bunkers and seized two vehicles loaded with heavy weapons." "Cash Rewards For Fazlullah, Muslim Arrests" "Pakistan Observer" (05/28) "Government has late night announced on Wednesday cash awards of rupees five million for the arrests of Maulana Fazlullah, and Rupees four million for Muslim Khan, who are resisting the security forces in operation Rah-e-Raast. Special awards have also been set for the arrest of other 22 Taliban Commanders, report said." "U.S. Ask India To Reduce Its Presence At Pak-Afghan Border" "The News" (05/28) "The U.S. administration, acknowledging Pakistan's position with regard to the presence of Indians on its borders with Afghanistan, has asked India to trim its presence in Afghanistan, including reducing or closing down its consulates scattered in the areas adjacent to Pak-Afghan border, sources said. "10,000 Men Protecting N-Assets: Official" "Dawn" (05/28) "A senior official of the country's premier defence nuclear establishment has said that a large force of nearly 10,000 people is in place to ensure security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and western fears about the safety of the weapons are unfounded. Air Commodore Khalid Banuri, who is Director of Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD),said that Pakistan's 'command and control structure' for the weapons was better than that of many other nuclear states, and many countries and their experts had officially acknowledged this." "Obama To Discuss Pak Situation With Saudi Leaders" "The News" (05/28) "The visit of U.S. President Barrack Obama to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday next would have far-reaching impact on the situation in the region and Washington's ties with the Islamic World. The situation in Pakistan will prominently figure in the discussions with reference to war on terror and Pakistan's capacity to fight it out." "UNICEF Runs Out Of Relief Supplies, Appeals For Funds" "Dawn" (05/28) "The UNICEF Pakistan has almost exhausted its contingency funds and stocks of relief goods and has appealed for an additional $41.4 million for providing immediate assistance to people displaced by fighting in parts of the NWFP." "Import of Power From Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan - U.S. Pressing Pakistan and Afghanistan" "Business Recorder" (05/28) "Washington is pressing both Islamabad and Kabul to import 1000 Megawatt electricity from Central Asia, despite the fact that Asian Development Bank (ADB) has withdrawn from the project, according to official documents made available exclusively to 'Business Recorder.'" -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Lahore Attacked Again," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "The third major terrorist strike in Lahore in three months was perhaps not unexpected given the state's push against the militants on three fronts. In the Malakand division, Pakistan has launched its most serious counterinsurgency operation to date against the militants; in South Waziristan, ground forces are on the move backed by tanks and helicopters; and in Punjab, the detention of some Jihadi leaders following the Mumbai attacks has fomented resentment against the state. ....What is needed is an urgent operation to track down terrorists infiltrating or living in cities and for them to be taken out before they can launch their destructive attacks. And if that's like finding a needle in a hay stack, then the answer is more resources to find the terrorist needles." "Lahore Suicide Attack," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (05/28) "The facts of Lahore attack will come to fore after investigation, but we have no doubts about the involvement of satanic triangle of America, India and Israel in terrorism activities in Pakistan.... Use of force against our own people is not the right way to reform them. They should be persuaded for talks." "Suicide Attack In Lahore Demands Effective Operation Against Terrorists," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (05/28) "Defending the country is everyone's responsibility; the nation pays a heavy price for negligence by any one element. We also need to send a message to terrorists and extremists that the entire nation will support action against them if they do not give up their cowardly acts." "Terrorism In Lahore: Reaction To Swat Operation?," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (05/28) "There have been suicide attacks in Pakistan in the past as well, yet no action has ever been taken against the perpetrators or at least action against them was not made public. This has encouraged these elements to continue their activities. The perpetrators of this act must be brought to justice so that in future no one has the audacity to play with innocent human lives." "Tragic Terror Episode In Lahore," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (05/28) "It looks as if Pakistan is being besieged in a very subtle way, and our politicians and government officials are under tremendous pressure, and the Pakistan Army is at war. It is for certain that this state of affairs will not change unless we say 'no more' in response to the much often repeated U.S. mantra 'do more.' We cannot achieve any significant success without dispelling the U.S. pressure." "Tragic Incident Of Terrorism In Lahore," an editorial in Hyderabad based liberal and independent Sindhi Daily "Ibrat" (Cir. 80,000) (05/28) "The terror attack in Lahore is very tragic and disastrous. The government needs to probe the incident painstakingly, and make the findings public, so that the public trust on the government may be restored that it can protect their lives and possessions. Also we must not overlook the possibility of presence of terrorists among the internally displaced persons of Swat valley." "Game Of Destruction And Annihilation," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (05/28) "If we want to protect ourselves from further violence, suicide attacks, and mayhem, we will have to appraise our policy of blind and steadfast support to the U.S. and its allies in the self-styled war on terror. Our rulers will have to snub the U.S. diktats at the end of the day and assume policies based on bold and honorable national stance." "A Dastardly Attack," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (05/28) "This was a daring act meant to portray Pakistan as an unsafe country. The incident made headlines in the international media, providing glee to the enemies of the country.... It illustrates the fact that the nation has to pay when its vital institutions fail to come up to the professional standards required from them." "The Butchers Call Again," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "There will be the usual accusations of 'failure of intelligence' or 'security lapses' but the reality is that this is an extremely difficult type of attack to countervail, even if you have good security and unsurpassed intelligence. Stopping the detonation of the bomb was virtually impossible and we should not waste our breath in speculating about which intelligence service did or did not pick up that this terrorist unit was in the city and ready to act." "Another Tragic Incident In Lahore," an editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (05/28) "Some analysts are expressing apprehensions that if the government spreads out military operation in other tribal areas, there is likelihood of more such terror incidents in the country in future. Targeting security forces, military facilities and police one after the other lays bare the motives of terrorists behind such incidents. The state of affairs necessitates that besides the military operation, the government should also initiate negotiations to find out an enduring solution of this problem." "Terror In Lahore, Again," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (05/28) "The Taliban have proved their presence in the big cities of Pakistan, like Karachi and Lahore. These suicide blasts show that there are loopholes in the security mechanism besides absence of coordination between police and intelligence agencies. The timing and place of the Lahore blast indicates that it was a well planned act of terror." "Refugees' Plight," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "The here and now must necessarily take priority as we speak, for the suffering is immense and must be addressed forthwith. But the need for a longer-term policy is also paramount. Let us assume that the Taliban menace will be exterminated in due course, setting the stage for a homeward journey. Many IDPs will be returning.... They will need help over the long term for food supplies, seeds, reconstruction and fresh livestock. Schools will have to be rebuilt and employment opportunities generated. Only then will the state win hearts and minds and truly establish its writ." "Trapped In Mingora," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "The IDPs who have been streaming south with over 120,000 according to the UNHCR leaving home each day, these people need help. This is true not only of those in Mingora but people trapped elsewhere as well. Deaths due to shortages of medicine have been reported form places such as the Kurram Agency as well. Our politicians need to sit together with military commanders and determine how best these people can be saved from the worst ravages of war." "The Other Battle To Be Won," an op-ed by Dr. Tariq Rahman in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "The IDPs as well as the common people of Pakistan should be told clearly why we are fighting this war. They are still confused because there are people who call this America's war or compare it with the army's military action in Dhaka in 1971. This is not America's war. It will go on even if America withdraws. It is not a territorial war or a war of ethnic separatists. It is a war for a way of life, for women's rights, for academic and media freedom, for democracy, for constitutionalism - in short, for a modern Pakistan instead of an ideological dictatorship. We owe it to our people to make this clear to them because we are asking them to sacrifice hearth and home and even life. If they are doing all this they have the right to know why they are doing it." "No Return To The Raj," an op-ed by I.A. Rehman in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "If the decision to launch a military operation in Swat and other parts of the Malakand division was not easy to make, its implementation is proving to be even more problematic.... Common citizens have been surprised at the apparently slow pace of the military operation.... The objective of the military operation is not very clear. The statement that the writ of the state is to be restored raises more questions than it answers." "The Implication Of Operations In NWFP And FATA," an op-ed by Khalid Aziz in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "A counter-insurgency war cannot be fought from a distance. For success the "enemy" has to be hunted at close quarters. This calls for the use of Special Forces and the police. Draining the swamp cannot eliminate the fish if other rivulets of escape are available. The present operation cannot be considered successful until the leaders of the Taliban who have challenged the writ of the state are brought to justice. If this doesn't occur rest assured that the IDPs are not returning and it will be futile to return the area to civil administration because the militants will surely return again and the civil administration will be made a scapegoat again." "Another Nuclear anniversary," an op-ed by Pervez Hoodbhoy in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (05/28) "It was a lie that the bomb could protect Pakistan, its people or its armed forces. Rather, it has helped bring us to this grievously troubled situation and offers no way out. The threat to Pakistan is internal. The bomb cannot help us recover the territory seized by the Baitullahs and Fazlullahs, nor bring Waziristan back to Pakistan. More nuclear warheads, test-launching more missiles, or buying yet more American F-16s and French submarines, will not help. Pakistan's security problems cannot be solved by better weapons. Instead, the way forward lies in building a sustainable and active democracy, an economy for peace rather than war, a federation in which provincial grievances can be effectively resolved, elimination of the feudal order and creating a society that respects the rule of law." Patterson