PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 14, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001574 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: JULY 14, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of the return of 195 families "displaced by fighting in Swat" dominated front pages in all newspapers on Tuesday. Pegged to it were President Zardari's remarks declaring the rehabilitation process "a huge challenge." Reports on the arrest of "13 suspected Al Qaeda militants" near Dera Murad Jamali (Balochistan) also received prominent coverage. Also highlighted were reports that "seven children among 12 were killed in a seminary blast in the Punjab area of Mian Channu." Newspapers gave prominent coverage to Interior Minister Rehman Malik's claim that "militants in Swat have been defeated." Most dailies reported the "visit of a UN expert prior to the arrival of a fact-finding mission to start investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto." Most major dailies ran critical editorials on the government's latest decision to make "ill-motivated and concocted stories against the civilian leadership and the security force" via cell phone text messaging and emails punishable offence carrying up to 14 years of imprisonment. The English daily, "Dawn," noted that "this borders on officially sanctioned censorship of the free flow of ideas and the people's right to engage in debate over the actions of the government and its institutions." Another English daily, "The Nation," observed that "the campaign launched by (the government) against the emails and SMSs considered anti-government is in violation of the freedom of expression. It runs counter to the spirit of the Constitution." The second largest Urdu daily, "Nawa-i-Waqt" wrote: "Instead of scaring the people on anti-government messaging and emails, the government should improve its working and give relief to the people.... Even otherwise, computer technology cannot be blocked." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Journey Back Home Begins" "Dawn" (07/14) "People displaced by fighting in Swat began returning to their homes on Monday under a government repatriation program. About 195 families left the Jalozai camp by buses escorted by police. The Emergency Response Unit (REU) had made arrangements for over 2,000 families to leave the camp on Monday, but a large number of them did not leave. The (REU) spokesman Adnan Khan said that the government would not force anyone to leave camps." "Rehabilitation A Huge Challenge: Zardari" "Dawn" (07/14) "The government would now focus on rehabilitating the displaced people and rebuilding the damaged infrastructure in Malakand Division, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday. He was addressing representatives of international donors, NGOs and members of the civil society who have been helping the displaced people. President said that rehabilitation of the displaced people was a huge challenge which required collective national efforts and help of the international community." "12 Foreigners, One Local Al Qaeda Suspects Held; Arms Seized" "Dawn" (07/14) "Security agencies arrested on Monday at least 13 suspected Al Qaeda militants from a place near Dera Murad Jamali. Security personnel intercepted a bus going to Multan from Quetta after receiving information about the movement of militants and found three Turks, two Saudis, two Kuwaitis and five Afghan nationals and a Pakistani in the vehicle. The suspects were carrying five suicide vests and an 11-kilogramme bomb in their baggage." "Seven Children Among 12 Killed In Seminary Blast" "Dawn" (07/14) "At least 12 people, seven children among them, were killed and over 50 injured when a large quantity of explosives stored in a house which also had a seminary exploded in a village near Mian Channu, about 45km from Khanewal, on Monday morning, Khanewal DPO Mohammad Kamran Khan told 'Dawn.'" "Six Suicide Attacks Foiled By Islamabad Police: Taliban Defeated In Swat, Claims Interior Minister" "Dawn" (07/14) "Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that militants in Swat have been defeated and security forces were in control of the region. Several militant commanders had been killed and Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah injured, he said while talking to reporters in Islamabad." "Benazir Probe: UN Official Visits Liaquat Bagh" "Dawn" (07/14) "A UN expert visited Liaquat Bagh on Monday - prior to the arrival of a fact-finding mission to start an investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The three-member UN commission is expected in Islamabad on July 16." "S. Waziristan Peace Deal Ineffective: Militant" "Dawn" (07/14) "A militant leader in South Waziristan, who is said to be in the good books of the government, said on Monday that the peace agreement in the agency had been 'ineffective'. Abdul Haq, a spokesman for 'Maulvi' Nazir said that security forces were attacking the Taliban despite the fact that they had 'maintained peace in the agency during the past two years.'" "8 Militants Killed" "Dawn" (07/14) "Eight militants were killed and three others injured in a clash with a lashkar in the Mohmand tribal region on Monday. Two militants were captured, Assistant political agent Rasool Khan said." "Taliban Behead Tribal Elder In Orkazai" "Dawn" (07/14) "Taliban militants beheaded a prominent pro-government tribal elder in Dabori area of Upper Orakzai Agency on Monday. Sources told 'Dawn' that Taliban had been warning the elder, Habibullah, against supporting government for some time." "Two 'Militants' Found Hanging" "Dawn" (07/14) "Two suspected militants were found hanged at two main squares of the Malakand division as a convoy of about 200 vehicles carrying back displaced persons from Swat crossed Batkhela on Monday. A banner found with the body read: 'Those found to have links with militants will meet the same fate.'" "Taliban Commander Mullah Ubaid Arrested With 20 Aides" "The News" (07/14) "Taliban commander Mullah Ubaidully alias Baidoo has been captured along his 20 aides by the Quetta police and a large number of weapons were recovered from their possession, DIG operations Shahid Nizam Durrani said." "Mysterious Fire Destroys NATO Tanker" "Dawn" (07/14) "An oil tanker supplying fuel for NATO forces in Afghanistan caught fire in the Hayatabad township in Peshawar on Monday morning. The tanker (TKV-763) was going from Rawalpindi to Kabul, police said. The fire also damaged a house and a power transformer in the area." "Obama Orders Inquiry Into Taliban Massacre" "Dawn" (07/14) "President Obama has ordered U.S. security officials to look into allegations that the Bush administration resisted efforts to investigate a CIA-backed Afghan warlord over the killings of hundreds of pro-Taliban prisoners in 2001. The victims included hundreds of Pakistani citizens whose killings contributed to the emergence of Maulana Fazlullah as a militant leader in Swat. 'The indication that this had not been properly investigated just recently was brought to my attention,' President Obama told CNN's Anderson Cooper in an exclusive interview during the president's visit to Ghana." "Taliban Reject U.S. Probe Into 2001 Mass-Killing As Ploy" "The News" (07/14) "Talking to the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP),Qari Muhammad Yousaf Ahmad, spokesman for Taliban, on Monday, rejected the U.S. President Barack Obama directives to probe mass killing of the Taliban prisoners in 2001 as U.S. ploy to absolve it of any involvement." "Hillary Clinton To Land With New Approach" "The News" (07/14) "The U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton is expected to visit Pakistan also as she descends in the region on her official visit to India later this month, it was learned reliably. According to sources, 'U.S. Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghan Richard Holbrooke is paying a very important visit to Afghanistan this week before coming to Pakistan to finalize agenda of the expected visit of Hillary Clinton and for the purpose he will hold meetings with members of diplomatic corps in Islamabad.'" "World Must Do More To Assist Pak Reconstruction Efforts: U.S." "The news" (07/14) "Pakistan has successfully rolled back the Taliban gains in Swat and the international community needs to do more to assist Islamabad in rebuilding lives and damaged areas in Malakand, a senior US diplomat Paul Jones, Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, at the State Department told a Congressional hearing." "Pakistan Being Blamed For U.S. Failures: Mushahid" "The News" (07/14) "The distrust in Pakistan-U.S. relations stem from the self-serving U.S. foreign policy objectives as well as the failure of most Pakistani leaders to secure good bargains for the state beyond pleasing Washington. Both countries need to move from their disagreement over the definition of 'good and bad Taliban' into a long-term strategic and purposeful relationship. This advice resonated several times during a seminar 'Pakistan-American Relations - the Element of Mistrust' arranged by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS),says a press release." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Bordering On Censorship," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/14) "According to the interior ministry, the government is initiating a campaign against 'ill-motivated and concocted stories against the civilian leadership and the security forces.' This borders on officially sanctioned censorship of the free flow of ideas and the people's right to engage in debate over the actions of the government and its institutions. Indeed, the decision carries disturbing echoes of past attempts at censorship, for email and SMS messages are now an important means through which the voice of the people makes itself heard.... By criminalizing what is essentially the people's freedom to debate and comment, the government exposes itself to the charge of stifling political opposition rather than changing or reconsidering policy." "Shameful Act," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/14) "The campaign launched by Interior Minister Rehman Malik against the emails and SMSs considered anti-government is in violation of the freedom of expression. It runs counter to the spirit of the Constitution, which entitles the people to express their opinions in a peaceful way.... This amounts to invading people's privacy. It would provoke popular resentment against the PPP-led set-up." "Decision To Enforce Strict Penalties On Anti-Government Messaging," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (07/14) "Instead of scaring the people on anti-government messaging and emails, the government should improve its working and give relief to the people.... Even otherwise, computer technology cannot be blocked." "No Need To Be Afraid Of Emails And SMS," an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (07/15) "... In these circumstances if the government diverts the energies of one of its law enforcement agencies towards checking obnoxious e-mails and SMS, it will not only open another front but would also shaken people's confidence over the government. If the government could respond to the public criticism over its policies on electronic and print media then it should not face any difficulty in responding to it on internet as well. If the government policy is good, it is in line with public interest and also conforms to the electoral pledges of the rulers then definitely this SMS messaging would also highlight that aspect. The government is well advised to pay attention to the actual reasons of terrorism and try to eliminate it instead of such type of unjustified reservations." "We're Watching!," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/14) "Ours is an increasingly 'watched' society, and the means of watching is changing and advancing all the time. Some have the misfortune to be watched by drones, with disaggregation a consequence.... There are undoubtedly illegal and dangerous-to-the-state activities involving the mobile phone network and the internet. They need to be stopped, fast, and the perpetrators brought to book; but we do wonder precisely what level of threat is perceived in a cheeky SMS or email - so remember; they're watching." "Make Text Messaging Investigation Transparent," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 10,000) (07/14) "Those emails and messages should be punishable which come under the purview of Anti-Pakistan propaganda.... FIA and the Interior Minister should take action against obscene and anti-Pakistan communication." "Interior Ministry's Appreciable Step," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (07/14) "This is appreciable that the government has taken note of anti-Pakistan propaganda.... This propaganda with global outreach was activated against Pakistan after May, 1998 nuclear tests.... The government should take stricter measures in this respect." "Mian Channu Blast: A Moment Of Reflection," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (07/14) "The real picture will emerge after completion of investigation, but according to some eye-witnesses something coming from the sky fell on Madarassa owner Riaz's house.... Jamaat-i-Islami Ameer Syed Munnawar Hassan, addressing a public meeting in Karachi, alleged that under the 'do more policy' America is trying to bring so-called war on terror to Punjab province. Mian Channu blast gives credence to the allegation.... If it really was a missile then it could be the doing of a drone." "Mian Channu Blast," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (07/14) "The neglect of the law and order agencies towards these banned organizations, throws up a big challenge to the government and it has so far unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire of sectarian hatred. Operating under the religious garb, those behind these organizations are self-seeking persons who want to achieve their objectives. The government must take step to stop their activities of having stored explosive material for achieving their activities and launch a crackdown against these organizations." "The Pakhtun Conundrum," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (07/14) "The Pakhtun conundrum that need to be addressed in order to bring peace to this area. The first is to recognize that there are many genuine grievances felt by this community concerning the way power has been apportioned by the Karzai regime among different segments of the Afghan society. Second, Pakistan has to show resolve that it will not allow those now generally referred to as stateless actors to pursue their own agendas against the country's neighbors. Third, it also needs to make sure that the law of the land is respected by all segments of society. Finally, there must be a clear understanding with India on what are its legitimate interests in Afghanistan. Pakistan has to recognize that India is a regional power with regional interests. At the same time India has to pay heed to Pakistan's security interests." "Turning Of Tables On American Forces In Afghanistan?," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (07/15) "After the signing of an agreement between the U.S. and Russia for the provision of supply route to NATO forces in Afghanistan through Russian territory, Taliban and Hizb-e-Islami and other Afghan resistance forces have started strengthening their networks in Baghlan, Qandooz, and Parwan besides Helmand. Not only that they are also preparing to drag the war with the U.S. from South Eastern and Eastern Afghanistan to North because the suggested supply route from Russia passes from Tajikistan to Hizbe Islami's Gulbadeen Hikmatyar's ancestral province of Qandooz. The Afghan Mujahideen are not only very well aware of this supply route but they have a 25-year experience of destroying and stopping arms and supplies coming through this route." "Claiming 'Victory' Too Early," an op-ed by Rahimullah Yusufzai in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (07/14) "In fact, greater media access to the conflict zones would provide a credible portrayal of the situation and help remove the cloud of doubts regarding the military operations and the claims about the army's battleground achievements. Instead of declaring premature victory, the ANP leadership should admit that the war is not over yet and that it is going to be long and bitter. There is no harm in conceding that the situation is still precarious, that the Taliban leadership in Swat and the rest of Malakand region has largely survived the military action.... Those pronouncing the start of the repatriation process of the IDPs as a signal of victory would be well-advised to keep their celebrations on hold, as it isn't over yet." "Af-Pak Strategy And Pakistan," an op-ed by Gen. (R) Mirza Aslam Beg in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/14) "After the declaration of the Af-Pak strategy, very different trends have emerged and Pakistan now finds itself facing serious challenges to its security.... The Pakistani government, despite being a 'Compliant State' is under pressure to concede more and allow the Americans to establish a 'spy-network within the premises of Islamabad diplomatic enclave.'... The facilities and the personnel belonging to CIA, FBI, the Marines as well as the Blackwater Security Consultants (BSC) will be housed there.... Their target is not only Pakistan, but all the neighbors, particularly Iran and China.... And the new partnership, now developing between U.S. and Russia, will cause greater instability in South Asia in particular." "New Road To Kabul," an op-ed by Dr. Rashid Ahmad Khan in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (07/14) "In the view of many an observer, the decision to send troops and military supplies through the route passing through the Russian territory is fraught with dangerous implications for the long-term strategic interests of the U.S. not only in Afghanistan but also in Central Asia. It may lead to an increased U.S. dependence on Russia for fighting the war in Afghanistan, and ultimately, may enable the Russians to stage a comeback in the region from where they were forcibly ousted two decades ago." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson