PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 07, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001521

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 07, 2009
Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil

for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------

"Russia Allows U.S. Military To Use Its Soil For Afghan Transit"
"Dawn" (07/07)

"Russia agreed on Monday to let the United States fly troops and
weapons across its territory to Afghanistan, a move hailed by
Washington as a valuable contribution towards helping U.S. forces
fighting the Taliban. A joint declaration also announced agreements
on nuclear arms cuts and on replacing a key disarmament treaty,
including figures for reduction in nuclear warheads to between 1,500
and 1,675 within seven years."

"Fourteen Killed In Attack On Swat Hideouts" "Dawn" (07/07)

"The army claimed to have killed 14 militants during the operation
in Swat on Sunday and Monday. Four soldiers suffered injuries.
According to the ISPR, security forces captured several terrorists
and seized 50 mules loaded with arms and ammunition, medicines and
foodstuff in Banjut area."

"Maulana Sufi Re-Emerges In Peshawar" "Dawn" (07/07)

"Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the chief of the defunct Tehrik
Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi's (TNSM) surfaced on Monday - two months
after he mysteriously went missing in Amandarra, the headquarters
(TNSM),in Malakand region. An immediate relative, who introduced
himself as Bakht Wahid, told 'Dawn' by phone that Sufi along with
his family including women and children reached Peshawar in the
afternoon."

"Dr. Aafia Denies Shooting U.S. soldiers In Afghanistan" "Daily
Times" (07/07)

"Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist currently detained
in the U.S., on Monday rejected the U.S. government's allegations
that she tried to kill American soldiers and FBI agents in
Afghanistan. 'I did not shoot anybody, and I did not fire at
anybody,' Aafia, 37, told a U.S. District Court, which was holding a
hearing to determine whether she was competent to stand trial."

"162 Killed In China Ethnic Riots" "Daily Times" (07/07)

"At least 162 people have been killed in rioting in China's
northwestern region of Xinjiang, with the government blaming exiled

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------

separatists for the Muslim area's worst case of unrest in years.
Hundreds of rioters have been arrested, the official Xinhua news
agency reported."

"Military To Go After Former Proxy Forces: Zardari" "The News"
(07/07)

"President Asif Ali Zardari has broken with decades of strategic
policy of Pakistan by declaring that military will turn its guns on
extremist groups it formerly supported as proxy forces in its
battles with India, reports a London-based English daily. Zardari
said in an interview with 'The Daily Telegraph' that operations
would in the future target the figures who were the military's
'strategic assets.' 'I don't think anybody in the establishment
supports them anymore,' he said."

"India Boosts Military Spending To $29.3 Billion" "Dawn" (07/07)

"Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee unveiled a populist budget
on Monday but kept intact a 34 per cent hike for defence he had
announced in the interim pre-poll allocation in February. While
India's defence spending would grow to $29.39 billion, Mukherjee
said the country would spend $562 million exclusively for boosting
border security and modernizing its police force."

"Pak Army Still Consider India A Threat: Mullen" "The Post" (07/07)

"Despite President Asif Ali Zardari's assertion that a Taliban
insurgency, not India, was the biggest threat to Islamabad, the
Pakistani army still considers India a 'threat,' United States' top
army official indicated, reported Outlook India Monday. In an
interview to CBS 'Face the Nation,' Chairman of America's Joint
Chief of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said the Pakistan Army Chief
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is focused on both -- the threat from India and
that from internal insurgency."

"U.S. Drone Violate Pak Areas In North Waziristan Agency" "Pakistan
Observer" (07/07)

"The U.S. drones once again violating Pakistan's sovereignty hovered
over different areas of North Waziristan on Monday creating panic
among local people."

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------

"North Waziristan Militant Dens Shelled: Seven Dead" "Dawn" (07/07)

"Seven militants were killed and several others injured when jets
shelled militant hideouts in North Waziristan on Monday."

"Four Militants Killed In Bajaur" "The News" (07/07)

"At least four militants were killed and six others sustained
injuries as the security forces intensified operation against the
Taliban insurgents in Charmang Valley of Nawagai tehsil in the
restive Bajaur Agency on Monday."

"25 suspects held In Dera Ismail Khan" "The News" (07/07)

"The security forces launched a search and clean-up operation and
arrested 25 suspected persons from different parts of Kulachi tehsil
near Dera Ismail Khan on Monday."

"Militant's House Blown Up" "The News" (07/07)

"Security forces blew up the house of a militant commander Sahib
Muhammad with explosives and arrested his son in Ouch area of Dir
Lower on Monday."

"Some Seminaries Patronizing Terror, Says Sunni Council" "Dawn"
(07/07)

"Terrorists are becoming active in some seminaries in Punjab, using
them for storing arms and ammunition, according to leaders of the
Sunni Ittehad Council, an association of some groups of the Barelvi
school of thought. After a meeting of the Council in Lahore on
Monday, Pir Afzal Qadri said: 'Some seminaries are patronizing
terrorists who are stockpiling lethal arms there.'"

--------------
Editorials/Op-eds
--------------

"Up For Trouble," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/07)

"Unfortunately, Vice-President Biden's statement virtually amounts
to giving Israel a green signal to attack Iran. Contrary to that,

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------

the observation made by Admiral Mullen, that an attack would be
disastrous, is closer to reality. It is pragmatic and ought to be
heeded by other U.S. centers of power as well. By any reckoning,
any sort of adventurism against Iran, especially armed action, would
result in a catastrophe. The global financial crisis is still not
over and Iran, which is one of the biggest producers of oil, is
central to world stability. Besides, it could retaliate, or worse
still create trouble for the U.S. forces in Iraq. Given the gulf
that keeps on widening between Muslims and the Western world, the
U.S. Administration must adopt a course that is in line with
President Obama's address at the Cairo University, in which he
highlighted the need to resolve differences with Iran on a
conference table."

"Threat That Iran Could Have Avoided," an editorial in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (07/07)

"The Biden statement has been taken as a green signal to Israel to
attack. One thought the US would restrain Israel knowing that a
strike against Iran would destroy the world's most strategically
important region.... The regional dominance of Iran was enhanced
further by the futile American invasion of Iraq and Israel's unwise
intervention in Lebanon.... But Tehran has been too aggressive in
its pursuit of a policy of challenge to care for the muted Arab
response on the other side of the Gulf. President Ahmadinejad and
Ayatollah Khamenai could have avoided the bitterness of rhetoric of
threats to keep the Arabs allayed."

"The U.S. And Threat Of Israeli Attack On Iran," an editorial in the
center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (07/07)

"The U.S. Vice President, Joseph Biden, has said that AMERICA would
not stop Israel if it took a military action against Iran in order
to deal with Iranian nuclear threat.... AP analyst has described
the Vice President's statement as a green signal for Israel to
attack Iran. We agree with the AP. American Vice President's
statement shows that American rulers are longing to see Israeli
planes bombing the alleged Iranian nuclear installations.... Joseph
Biden's statement also shows that AMERICA is interested in widening
the scope of war against the Muslim world, but cannot do that due to
certain reasons. AMERICA has now signaled its policeman in the
Middle East to do the needful."

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------


"Will U.S. Do This Nonsense (Allowing Israel To Attack Iran)," an
editorial in the Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu
daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) (07/07)

"This is surely a worrisome news report for the Muslims across the
world that Israel has finally taken a decision to attack Iran.
Israel after getting support and a 'go ahead' from the U.S. has
started preparations for an attack. The attack on Iran would stir
up the bitter memories of U.S. attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq. Has
the U.S. really decided to take a foolish decision to support Israel
at the cost of jeopardizing world peace and stability?"

"U.S. Go-Ahead For Israeli Attack On Iran," an editorial in the
Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat"
(cir. 3,000) (07/07)

"Biden's statement is a license to kill for Israel, though Israel
does not need this license as the country has already been acting
unilaterally against all its neighbors including Palestinians.
Israel had the support of the U.S. while striking at Iraq's nuclear
facilities in the past, and when the issue was raised in the UN, it
was the United States that blocked the move. The present statement
is the continuity of the old practice that establishes that the U.S.
has only one friend that is Israel."

"Israel's Blatant threat To Iran," an editorial in the
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (07/07)

"There are clear indications that the United States is encouraging
Israel to go for military aggression against Iran.... The statement
of the U.S. Vice President is indicative of the fact that the
hostile approach has not changed. The remarks of Biden are being
interpreted by knowledgeable circles as a go-ahead signal to Israel
to carry out aggression against Iran.... The timing of the
statement by the U.S. Vice President and Israeli claims is
important.... We are sure that any action against Iran would be
strongly resisted not only by countries of the region but the entire
Muslim world and peace-loving people of the globe."

"Heinous Conspiracies Against Iran," an editorial in the
second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt"

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------

(cir. 150,000) (07/07)

"American Vice President Joe Biden has said that AMERICA would not
come in the way of Israel if it decided to attack Iran in order to
destroy its nuclear program. On the other hand, Sunday Times has
claimed in an Israeli defense sources report that Saudi Arabia has
allowed Israel to use its airspace for attacking Iran.... While the
conspiracies to end Iran's nuclear program are on, a vile propaganda
has been unleashed against Saudi Arabia that it has allowed use of
its airspace for the attack. This propaganda has been initiated by
the west to sow the seed of dissension among the Muslim countries."

"U.S. Should Stop Backing Israel," an editorial in the leading mass
circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir.
300,000) (07/07)

"U.S. open support and backing for Israeli aggressive designs
against Iraq, Iran, Palestine and Lebanon have not only jeopardized
the global peace, but also put the stability of the region in
danger. In this state of affairs, international organizations like
UNO must prefer to get resolve these outstanding issues without
delay, or else, it will meet with its end like that of the League of
Nations. It is also essential for the Muslim world to wake up from
its deep slumber, and work out a concrete policy to deal with this
unparalleled situation."

"U.S. Signal To Israel For Operation Against Iran," an editorial in
the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (07/07)

"U.S. attempts to change the government in Iran have taken a new
turn. A recent statement by Vice President Joseph Biden has added
to the concerns about the situation in the Middle East. Mr. Biden
has said, "The U.S. does not have the authority to stop Israel if it
attacks Iran." This statement is a green signal, prompting Israeli
aggression against Iran.... President Obama's efforts to improve
ties with Iran soon after he assumed office, were praised around the
world. However, the manner in which Israel, U.S. and the West
reacted to the Iranian election results demonstrated that these
countries wish to spread unrest in Iran. And now Mr. Biden's
statement shows that all this is being done in support of Israel."

"Swat Operation Should Be Taken To Its Logical End," an editorial in
liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (07/07)

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------


"The war on terror is proceeding on the right track, however, the
situation gets a little shaky when the U.S. launches missile strikes
in certain Pakistani areas. The U.S. needs to share information
with the Pakistan Army instead of taking action on its own. If there
are terrorists in an area, the U.S. should let Pakistan Army carry
out the operation as it is the force fighting against these elements
in these areas. When both the countries [Pakistan and U.S.] are
against terrorism and both have the same target, it is not befitting
for one to bypass the other, thereby creating mistrust."

"The Internal Threat," an editorial in the country's premier
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (07/07)

"Speaking at a Pakistan Naval Academy event in Rawalpindi, Chief of
the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said, 'while external
threats continue to exist, it is the internal threat to Pakistan
that needs immediate attention.' It is basically a reiteration of
our stated position that, contrary to the counsel offered by our
Western friends, Pakistan must remain watchful of its eastern border
while paying immediate attention to the extremist threat."

"Slow Going," an editorial in the populist, often sensational
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/07)

"The battle for Swat is taking longer than expected. A month ago we
were told that it was all over bar the shouting, that there were
just 'pockets of resistance' and it would 'soon' be safe for the
IDPs to return to their homes. Some have, but the majority have not
and they remain marooned in the camps and schools and private homes.
There is still no date for their return apart from a vague
suggestion that it will be 'this month.' As the battle for Swat
grinds on, the battle for Waziristan is slowly gathering pace and
that will produce its own fresh crop of IDPs. Resources are
stretched dreadfully thin, the aid agencies are struggling and
running out of food and money; and the monsoon fast approaches....
Even more sadly, the basic services they can avail now are unlikely
to be available on their return home; and women remain the eternal
losers in the battles fought by men."

"Time To Listen To Saner Voices On Pakistan-Afghanistan-United
States," an op-ed by Imran Khan in the populist, often sensational
national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/07)

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
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News Stories
--------------


"Can Pakistan afford these operations for even the next five years?
How will we deal with the continuing flow of displaced people - or
how long will the IDPs survive living as nomads in their own
country? How are we planning to stop the radicalization of the
youth in such conditions? Where will we find the resources to
eventually rehabilitate these displaced families, given the massive
infrastructure damage? What about the impact on the economy if
these operations continue endlessly? Already the political
situation in the NWFP is getting worse by the day. We have created
perfect environment for our enemies to exploit tensions emerging
from the current chaos- ethnic, provincial, religious (Shia/Sunni,
Deobandi/Barelvi) and class (as in Swat). The critical question is:
what is the solution?... However there are voices within the U.S.
political and administrative structures that are becoming more
skeptical about the U.S. policy in Afghanistan. For instance,
Graham Fuller, the former CIA Station Chief in Kabul wrote in the
International Herald Tribune that there was no military solution to
the problem in Afghanistan. According to him, Pakistan was
'cracking under the pressure' put on it to 'do more' by the U.S. and
that the Pakistan security forces could control the militancy within
its borders provided NATO leaves Afghanistan. If sane voices in the
U.S. can see the writing on the wall, why is our leadership still
going down a suicidal course for their own vested interests -
destroying the military and the nation in the process?"

"War Without An End," an op-ed by Shahid Zulfikar in the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(07/07)

"If we are seeking to overcome militancy in one go through the
military, it would be an impossible task. Eliminating Mehsud would
be a military achievement but will not end the militancy which has
permeated the entire society. Historically the FATA tribes have
resisted any foreign interference and they will continue to take up
arms as long as the U.S./NATO forces remain in Afghanistan. The
prime objective here should be to keep them away from militancy in
our settled areas rather than trying to subdue them.... These are
difficult times for the country. The American strategic interests
in the neighborhood will keep us entangled in 'their' war on terror.
That does not require us to be oblivious of our interests."

"A Decisive Shift," an op-ed by Rasul Bakhsh Rais in the

Summary: National political developments dominated headlines in all
newspapers on Tuesday. Several major dailies, however, highlighted
U.S.-Russia agreement "allowing U.S. military to use Russian soil
for Afghan transit" and a promise to "reduce nukes." Also front
paged were reports that the "Pak Army claimed to have killed 14
militants in attacks on suspected hideouts in Swat." Pegged to it
were reports that chief of the defunct Tehrik Nifaz Shariat
Muhammadi (TNSM),Sufi Mohammad, "surfaced in Peshawar" after his
"two months of mysterious disappearance." All dailies also gave
prominent coverage to Pakistani scientist, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's
statement before a U.S. District Court in New York "rejecting U.S.
government's allegations of shooting American soldiers and FBI
agents in Afghanistan." All Pakistani newspapers gave wide display
to the killing of "162 people in ethnic riots in Xinjiang region of
China."
Most major dailies ran editorials on the roadmap for justice that
has been spelled out by Chief Justice Chaudhary in the
recently-concluded conference on the implementation of the National
Judicial Policy. However some papers editorialized others pressing
issues including the impending threat of assault on Iran and the
ongoing military offensive etc. Commenting on the Vice President
Biden's remarks, the center-right national English daily "The
Nation," observed that "by any reckoning, any sort of adventurism
against Iran, especially armed action, would result in a
catastrophe." The Lahore-based liberal English daily, "Daily
Times," commented that "the Biden statement has been taken as a
green signal. One thought the U.S. would restrain Israel knowing
that a strike against Iran would destroy the world's most
strategically important region." The center-right Urdu daily
"Pakistan," observed that the Vice President's statement "shows that
America is interested in widening the scope of war against the
Muslim world, but cannot do that due to certain reasons. It
(America) has now signaled its policeman in the Middle East to do
the needful." End Summary.
--------------
News Stories
--------------

Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (07/07)

"The anti-American sentiment in the context of Afghanistan was
carefully cultivated by Taliban sympathizers in Pakistan, which
further nurtured the image of the Taliban as an 'anti-imperialist
force' and some kind of liberators. Some leaders, mostly from the
religious parties, justified crossing of the Pak-Afghan border by
the Pakistani Taliban much like the Mujahideen that fought against
the former Soviet Union.... But finally, the people of Pakistan,
the silent majority, have woken up to the threat that the Taliban
and their supporters in different political formations pose to
society and, in a broader context, to the image of Muslims and
Islamic civilization.... The people in Swat and FATA have been held
hostage and have suffered the cruelty and totalitarianism of the
Taliban for too long.... Many people in Pakistan and outside the
country believe that the Taliban are a worse enemy that any other
internal or external adversary that we have ever faced."

"America's New Reach," an op-ed by Shahid Javed Burki in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (07/07)

"Rather than locking in a level now for military aid which might not
be in line with rapidly changing Pakistani capabilities and
commitment, the bill buys flexibility for the U.S. administration by
leaving the quantum and content of military support to be determined
on a year-by-year basis. The final shape of U.S. assistance to
Pakistan will be determined by the political process in which ethnic
lobbies will play an important role."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)
Patterson