PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: KERRY-LUGAR BILL, TERRORISM,

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002543 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: KERRY-LUGAR BILL, TERRORISM, INDIA-AMERICA-PAKISTAN OCTOBER 20, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of Senator Kerry and CENTCOM Chief General Petraeus' Pakistan visit and their meetings with senior civilian and military officials received front-page coverage in all newspapers on Tuesday. Senator Kerry's remarks that "the Pakistani leadership, civil and military, is on the same page" with regards to Kerry-Lugar Bill were widely highlighted. Several major newspapers, however, gave prominent coverage to remarks attributed to PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif that the "Kerry-Lugar legislation, with its conditions, continues to be a source of concern for the people of Pakistan." Prime Minister Gilani's assertion that "infiltrations from Afghanistan into Pakistan should be checked by the U.S. and NATO forces" was also highlighted. All major dailies highlighted reports that Army Chief General Kayani sent an open letter to the Mehsud tribe to seek "its support in the operation against militants in South Waziristan." In other news, reports that the Iranian President Ahmadinejad in a telephonic conversation with President Zardari, urged Pakistan to "help to quickly arrest the criminals" involved in the Sistan bomb blast were also highlighted. Editorializing the "Bomb in Iran," the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News," observed that "Islamabad needs also to keep in mind that the new charges from Iran will add to the perceptions that we are a nation unable to control the militancy that has sprung up in our midst." All news channels highlighted latest bombing at Islamic University in Islamabad today. End Summary. -------------- Terrorism -------------- News Story: "U.S. Asked To Expedite Coalition Support Fund Payments" "Dawn" (10/20) "Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday urged the United States to expedite the delayed payments of Coalition Support Fund claims and Foreign Military Funds to Pakistan at the current critical juncture when the government was engaged in military action in South Waziristan. Talking to General David Petraeus, Commander U.S. Central Command, at the Prime Minister House, the Prime Minister called for the supply of most needed equipment for Pakistan's armed forces." News Story: "Check Infiltration From Afghan Side, Petraeus Told" "The News" (10/20) "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday made it clear to the U.S. that as Pakistan was engaged in military action against the militants in South Waziristan, infiltrations from Afghanistan into Pakistan should be checked by the U.S. and NATO forces. The prime minister was talking to General David Petraeus, Commander U.S. Central Command, who called on him at the Prime Minister House." News Story: "COAS Raises Border Posts Issue With Petraeus" "Daily Times" (10/20) "NATO forces vacating check-posts in Afghanistan allow Afghan Taliban to cross the Pak-Afghan border and join the Pakistani Taliban in South Waziristan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Monday. During a meeting with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General David Petraeus, he discussed the U.S. providing state-of-the-art weapons to Pakistani forces to help them combat terrorists in the Tribal Areas." News Story: "Kayani Writes To Mehsuds, Seeks Tribe's Support" "Dawn" "Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has sought support of Mehsud tribes in the operation against militants in South Waziristan. In an open letter to the Mehsud tribes, the copies of which were distributed among reporters at a press briefing jointly addressed by Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and military spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas, the Army Chief expressed the hope that the tribes would fully back the army in the operation and collectively rise against oppressive elements for a decisive action." News Story: "Zardari Calls Ahmadinejad Iran Blames U.S. And Pakistan For Attack" "Dawn" (10/20) "Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pointed a finger of blame at the United States for Sunday's suicide bombing at a meeting of the Revolutionary Guards and tribal chiefs in Sistan-Baluchestan. Iranian President Ahmadinejad in a telephonic conversation with President Zardari, charged that those behind the bombing were in Pakistan and needed to be 'quickly confronted.'" News Story: "Pakistan Tells Iran: Jandullah, TTP And LJ Are Involved" "The News" (10/20) "Islamabad has informed Tehran that Jandullah (or Soldiers of God), the Pakistan-based anti-Shia militant outfit, which has claimed responsibility for the October 18 deadly suicide attack in Zahedan, targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guards, is carrying out coordinated terrorist operations with the help of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ),to undermine Pak-Iran ties." News Story: "7 persons were Killed, over 20 Injured In Twin Blasts At Islamic University In Islamabad" "Geo Website" (10/20) "7 persons were killed, over 20 injured in the twin blasts at the new campus of the International Islamic University in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon." News Story: "South Waziristan Offensive Kills 18 More Militants: Army" "Dawn" (10/20) "At least 18 more militants were killed and two soldiers martyred in the last 24 hours of the operation in South Waziristan agency. News Story: "14 Militants, Three Children Killed In Mohmand Blitz" "The News" (10/20) "Fourteen militants were killed and several others sustained injuries when jet fighters pounded militant hideouts in Yakkaghund and Baizai subdivisions of Mohmand Agency on Monday." News Story: "NATO Hails Pakistan Offensive Against Taliban" "Dawn" (10/20) "NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed on Monday Pakistan's offensive against Taliban in South Waziristan, saying it was crucial for regional stability. Mr. Rasmussen expressed his 'appreciation of the increased efforts by the Pakistani military and the Pakistani government in the fight against terrorists in the border regions,' he told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels." News Story: "U.S. Giving Importance To Waziristan Operation" "The News" (102/20) "The Barack Obama Administration as well as American media has been giving extraordinary importance to the latest military action, launched by the Pakistan armed forces against the well-organized and all-powerful Taliban militants in South Waziristan Agency and believed the army this time is ambitious under Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to eliminate militants." News Story: "Public Opinion In Pakistan Turns Against Militants, U.S. Congress Told" "Dawn" (10/20) "The Pakistani public opinion has turned sharply and intensely against violent religious militants operating within the country, the U.S. Congress was told. The Pakistani military is also beginning to turn against the Taliban quite forcefully. Meanwhile, the Pakistani elite are searching for a new national security doctrine that does not fuel internal revolution and does not impede economic and social progress. These observations were made at a recent hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs convened to review the current U.S. policy towards Afghanistan." News Story: "U.S. Counter-Terror Units Using Sihala College Premises Since '03'" "Dawn" (10/20) "A letter sent to the Inspector-General of Punjab Police by the commandant of the Sihala Police College seeking clarification from the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Office about the use of their installation has confirmed that it had been under the use of U.S. counter-terrorism training personnel since 2003. 'Dawn' has learned that the letter was also forwarded to the personal Secretary of the Interior Minister." News Story: "Rupees 500,000 Reward For Terror Information" "Dawn" (10/20) "The government has decided to offer a reward of Rs500,000 to people providing credible information or mobile video clips about terrorists to security agencies" News Story: "Stocks Slump 4.34 Percent On Security Concerns" "Business Recorder" (10/20) "Panic selling was witnessed at Karachi share market on Monday due to South Waziristan operation and security concerns, and KSE-100 index registered heavy loss of 426.83 points, or 4.34 percent, to close at 9,411.29 points from 9,838.12 points." News Story: "170,000 People Displaced By South Waziristan Agency Operation So Far: UN" "The News" (102/20) "The United Nations said on Monday that 170,000 People has been Displaced from the troubled South Waziristan Agency due to fresh violence and military operation by the Pakistan army against militants and estimated that the number of the IDPs would reach 250,000 in the next couple of days." News Story: "Karachi TTP Chief Among Four Arrested" "Dawn" (10/20) "The alleged Amir of the Karachi branch of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and his three accomplices were arrested on Monday. Police also seized a large cache of arms and ammunition." News Story: "Action Against Madressahs May Affect Mainstreaming Effort" "Dawn" (10/20) "The government's move to crackdown on madressahs providing sanctuary to militants will be difficult as just over 500 seminaries have been registered since the launch of a reforms program four years ago. Abdul Qadoos Muhammad, a spokesman for the Wafaqul Madaris, a coalition of Deobandi seminaries claiming control over 12,000 seminaries, said: 'We have no objection to the government's inspection of madressahs allegedly involved in terrorist activities, but the government does not seem to be interested.'" News Story: "Blackwater Arms Warehouse In Capital?" "The Nation" (10/20) "Kestral Logistics, a warehouse located in the industrial area of Sector I-9/3, and involved in arms trading, is working as the subcontractor of U.S. security company, Xe Worldwide (Blackwater), 'The Nation' has learned." Editorial: "Bomb In Iran," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "Iran claims that there was involvement of agents based in Pakistan with elements inside Iran in the suicide bombing on Sunday... Islamabad needs to keep in mind that the new charges from Iran will add to the perceptions that we are a nation unable to control the militancy that has sprung up in our midst. The continued turmoil in Balochistan of course adds to the problem. This is an issue we need to bring under check. Terrorism needs to be thwarted. Otherwise we will continue to face embarrassing accusations and a consequent increase in tensions in the region." Editorial: "Suicide Attack In Iran: Regrettable Allegations And Our Obligation," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/20) "The suicide attack in Iran has apparently put two neighboring countries at odds and made American strategy successful. That is why, the Iranian finger pointing at Pakistan could be described as regrettable, to say the least.... There were reports coming out in the past which talked about American patronage for Jandullah.... Iran should take into account clever tactics of 'big Satan' America and should not increase its isolation by leveling allegations against Pakistan." Editorial: "Suicide Attack In Iran," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/20) "We are not in a position to blame any power for the attack. We should keep our eyes open in the wake of the experiment in Iraq whereby the Iraqi nation was pushed into a civil war. Pakistan and Iran should know that powers with malafide intentions can create a gulf between the two countries in order to sabotage Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project." Editorial: "Jandullah And Relations With Iran," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/20) "There is a clear break here between what the world thinks and what Iran thinks. The world thinks that the U.S. unwittingly strengthened Iran's regional position by destroying two regimes: Saddam Hussein's in the west and the Taliban's in the east. But Tehran continues to think that the U.S. and its allies are trying to get Iran into a challenging regional pincers movement. Unfortunately, Pakistan can hardly reassure Iran in this regard because of its declining writ of the state in Balochistan and elsewhere." Editorial: "It Is The Work Of Enemies Of Pakistan And Iran," an editorial in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (10/20) "The allegations leveled by the Iranian leaders regarding Islamabad's involvement in the recent suicide attack in Iran and the presence of the terrorist outfit, Jandullah, in Pakistan are nothing more than emotional reaction which lacks any substantial evidence. Both countries should embark upon joint efforts to find the hidden elements behind this tragic incident and formulate a strategy to cope with them. The government of Pakistan, in particular, must keep in mind that the foreign powers, which laud our role in the war on terror, are not our friends. In fact, they are the biggest patrons of the terrorists. It the responsibility of our political leadership that it get itself and the 170-million strong Pakistani nation out of this quagmire which has become a potential threat to our independence and security." Editorial: "Operation Rah-i-Nijat," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "As the security forces close in on the centre of gravity of Pakistani militancy in South Waziristan, the country is holding its breath, both in anticipation of good news from South Waziristan and in apprehension of bad news from the cities and towns. It's early days yet in Operation Rah-i-Nijat, but initial reports suggest that the army's planning has been careful and professional. Target selection for bombing runs by the jets does not appear to be indiscriminate and the troops on the ground have been aided in their movement by sophisticated equipment that the army has quietly deployed. Protecting the population is key in counter-insurgency doctrine and the army appears to be aware of this. However, there are limitations when it comes to using a blunt tool like a conventional army as a surgical instrument that kills or captures the enemy without causing 'collateral damage' to the civilian population." Editorial: "Battle Joined," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "The tides of war now wash across Waziristan. Operation Rah-e-Nijat is underway and the first battlefield reports are coming in along with claims and counterclaims from both sides. This is a complex conflict, not a simple case of 'baddies' versus 'goodies.' The patchwork of tribal allegiances and rivalries is going to color and influence the outcome of the wider battle.... These are early days in an operation that could last months. Not only is the conflict complex but so is the terrain. As we have seen in Swat, it is one thing to take the ground, another to hold it. And putting it all back together post-conflict in a place where the writ of the state has never been more than diaphanous is going to make Swat look like a walk in the park by comparison." Editorial: "U.S. Questionable Intent," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/20) "The South Waziristan (SW) operation in itself has already begun to have a fallout on the country, in terms of a raised threat level with schools being closed and security being heightened all around.... But it is the adverse external environment that is being created deliberately to coincide with the South Waziristan Agency operation, which raises larger questions of whether we are falling into a trap created by the U.S. to destabilize the country to such an extent that the nuclear assets can be taken under U.S. control and Pakistan's map redrawn. Is it simply a coincidence that the moment the SWA operation begins, the U.S. and NATO vacate their critical check posts on the Afghan border with Pakistan, when everyone knows that the TTP is being supplied weapons from Afghanistan? Is the real U.S. intent to allow enough supplies to continue flowing to the TTP (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan) so that the Pakistan army gets bogged down in SWA and Pakistan gets even more engulfed in terror attacks across the country?... Perhaps most important, though, our leadership really needs to re-examine, in the light of what the U.S. has been doing to our external environment while pushing us to launch the SWA operation, whose interests it is serving. In other words, is the U.S. really an ally or a covert enemy, determined to cut nuclear Pakistan down to size?" Editorial: "Mysterious Airlifting Of TTP Leaders," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/20) "There are two major developments which indicate that some foreign powers were actively engaged to undermine the military operation, called Rah-i-Najat, in South Waziristan. According to a report, there has been mysterious airlifting of some Taliban elements from Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas close to Waziristan. It is feared that anti-Pakistan TTP leaders are being rescued by their foreign handlers in the wake of operation in the area. And according to another report, U.S.-led NATO forces have vacated half a dozen key check posts on Afghan side of the border with the apparent objective of giving free hand to Afghan Taliban to cross over to Waziristan to fight against Pakistan Army. There had been concerns since long that the United States was playing double game in the area - eliminating militants that are resisting foreign occupation of Afghanistan and prodding those engaged in terrorists activities inside Pakistan. This strange differentiation between Taliban exposes the real designs of the United States, which are nothing but destabilization of the region and especially Pakistan." Editorial: "Ongoing operation in South Waziristan And New Dangers," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (10/20) "Defense analysts are of the view that the ongoing operation in Waziristan may last for months. The intelligence agencies of the U.S., India and Israel will definitely do their best to expand this war to the every nook and corner of Pakistan. True, Washington is considering to increase its financial and military assistance for our country, but the real objective of this generosity may be to entangle Pakistan into this war." Editorial: "Arrival Of American Officials," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/20) "If America considers al-Qaeda a threat for it then it should pay attention to Afghanistan instead of Pakistan.... America should look for the treatment of the malady in Afghanistan and not elsewhere." Editorial: "Waziristan IDPs," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "The Waziristan operation is expected to be a tougher challenge for the army compared to what transpired in Swat simply because it is believed that there is greater support for the militants in that area than there was in Swat. Analysts say the operation may last for two months, but in such matters giving and sticking to time frames can be difficult. Winter is fast approaching and if the conflict drags on, life will become even more tough for the displaced. One hopes that the government has learnt from the experience of the Swat IDPs and that contingency plans are in place. Also, while all humanitarian assistance should be extended to the affected people, the authorities must be wary of extremists trying to sneak out posing as refugees." Editorial: "New Displacements," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "The trickle of people leaving South Waziristan has grown to resemble something of a flood. Nearly 200,000 are now estimated to be displaced. The displacements can also be seized upon as an opportunity - even if it is one that arises from the most unfortunate of circumstances. For well over a decade, the people of Waziristan have been in the grip of the Taliban. Their region has been described, in the context of global terrorism, as the most dangerous in the world. They will need to be incorporated into any effort to build a brighter future. The presence of so many IDPs offers a chance to communicate with them, bring them closer to the state and persuade them that it can meet their needs in terms of education, health and employment.... With these people, a partnership needs to be built - so there can be hope and the IDPs feel they have something to look forward to once they are able to return home." Editorial: "Alarm In Schools," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "With the start of the army operation in South Waziristan, it was feared - and not unrealistically - that the Taliban would retaliate by stepping up attacks on civilians.... As a result, when the authorities received intelligence reports of schools in some regions being potential targets their knee-jerk reaction was to shut down educational institutions in Islamabad.... This is no doubt a tricky situation. On the one hand, one cannot take risks and expose children to unnecessary dangers. On the other, it will devastate the psyche of the people if a climate of panic is created when it may not really be warranted. The authorities have to strike a balance between the two." Opinion: "Waziristan - The Mother Of All Battles," an op-ed by Rahimullah Yusufzai in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "Pakistan's armed forces started the air and ground offensive after months of preparations, during which the areas inhabited by the Mahsud tribe and controlled by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were blocked from all sides and artillery shelling and air strikes using jet-fighters and helicopter- gunships were carried out to 'soften' Taliban positions.... The military authorities have been quoted as saying that six to eight weeks would be required to complete the ongoing action in South Waziristan. If this doesn't happen, the military operation would be judged in the light of this timeline and termed a failure or half-victory.... It is certainly going to be a lot harder and longer than the battle for Swat. There will be more fighting and casualties." Opinion: "Terrorist Surge And Its Implications," an op-ed by Tariq Osman Hyder in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/20) "To analyze what the present situation portends one must view this struggle between the forces for a progressive Pakistan and the militants' vision of a theocratic Pakistan in the context of national dynamics, regional and international parallels and of the timescale and resources required to win this battle for the soul of Pakistan.... The battle against the militants has become multi-dimensional.... Without adequate multinational economic and military equipment support and also action by the Extra Regional Forces to control the border from the Afghan side, the battle in Pakistan will take far longer." Opinion: "Striking At The Edifice!," an op-ed by Zaheer Bhatti in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/20) "One would have expected the U.S. to stand firmly with Pakistan rather than every now and then resort to apprehensions about its declared long-term strategic partner. It is perhaps time to make up for past neglect, and treat Pakistan as a sovereign equal with its neighbors, rather than discriminate and try to browbeat it to a subservient role in the region. Raising the bogey of Pakistan's nuclear assets falling into the wrong hands without a plausible reason, deliberately confusing the real Taliban demanding enforcement of Shariah, with terrorists facilitating infiltration of their ranks by inimical forces and involving the Pak Army into combat with them, tinkering with Pakistan's internal affairs and invading its ideological edifice with alien cultures, and weary of the potential of the forces, trying to brand them as a rogue army, is bound to widen the cleavage instead of building bridges." Opinion: "The American Guest," an op-ed by Nazir Naji in the leading mass circulation populist, often sensational Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (10/20) "I have always been expressing doubts on the covert U.S. intentions in the war on terror. Washington had insisted for military operation in Waziristan before Malakand. It was sure that majority of the terrorists would flee into Malakand and would block the Karakoram Highway, the only land route connecting China and Pakistan, for transportation for an unspecified period of time. The latest developments in the regions have started gradually exposing real motives of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. It appears that the main battlefield in the war against terrorism is being shifted to Pakistan. Washington wants to engage the Pakistani security forces on our Western borders in order to provide relief to India which has become a strategic partner of the United States. We should not trust Washington despite our alliance with it in the war on terror." -------------- Kerry-Lugar Bill -------------- News Story: "Pak Civil, Military Leaders On Same Page: Kerry" "Daily Times" (10/20) "'As of today, it seems to me that the Pakistani leadership, civil and military,' is on the same page, said Senator John Kerry in a select briefing in Islamabad with six senior journalists. He was asked whether the Kerry-Lugar Bill and its subsequent clarification had found acceptance in the power centers of Pakistan. Senator Kerry was on a brief visit to Pakistan because he was 'concerned that a straight forward effort has been misinterpreted.' He said that the Unites States' statement of clarification on the KLB 'could not be clearer.' He cautioned that 'we should not play to cheap galleries here.' He aslo said, 'if you don't want the money, say so. We're not forcing you to take it.' Senator Kerry said that his meetings with civilian and military leaders had been 'very positive.'" News Story: "Nawaz Urges U.S. To Establish Trust With Pakistan" "Daily Times" (10/20) "The Obama administration and the US Congress should establish a genuine partnership with the people of Pakistan based on mutual respect and trust, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief Nawaz Sharif said on Monday. During a meeting with U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry, he said the Kerry-Lugar legislation, with its conditions, continues to be a source of concern for the people of Pakistan. He said these concerns 'needed to be addressed to establish a relationship of trust and confidence between the two countries,' a press release issued by the PML-N's media cell stated." News Story: "Zardari Hopes For Early Legislation On ROZs" "Daily Times" (10/20) "Following the successful passage of the Kerry-Lugar legislation, Pakistan hopes the U.S. will soon adopt the legislation on the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) for the uplift of the Tribal Areas, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday. 'I hope the ROZ legislation will soon be approved and the labor provision softened,' he told U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry." News Story: "Jamaat-e-Islami Referendum On KLB Act On October 23" "The Nation" (10/20) "Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) will hold a referendum on Kerry-Lugar Bill (KLB) Act on October 23 and the masses will not tolerate the government and the Parliament which are favoring anti-Pakistan aid Bill." Editorial: "U.S. Officials' Invasion," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/20) "Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Senator John Kerry, who is also a co-author of the document that has sparked public outrage here for its vicious designs on Pakistan's sovereignty, is already here.... One might as well ask the Senator what justification there was for inserting the degrading conditionalities in the first instance if they were subsequently to be 'negated' by an additional document, which the Americans now unconvincingly plead the statement has done. The opposition parties must put up a joint stand and unequivocally oppose these clauses.... Can the Pakistani electorate also hope that the government, which represents them, would act in line with democratic traditions, respect their sentiments and tell their American interlocutors to bring in the necessary changes that have legal validity?... It is hoped that our leadership would not be taken in by their explanations and would put across their point of view forcefully." Opinion: "The Bill Explained," an op-ed by Shahid Javed Burki in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "When a decade ago Pakistan borrowed from the World Bank some funds to develop its power sector it agreed to restructure WAPDA according to a plan essentially developed in Washington.... Similarly Islamabad agreed to very specific fiscal and monetary targets with the IMF when it negotiated an agreement with that organisation in November 2008. It is understood that the flow of funds would stop if these conditions were not met. The World Bank sends out supervision missions and the IMF review missions to make sure that their conditions are being met. The American bill does not have such conditions. The only requirement is that the administration report to the various committees of Congress on the expectations it has of the policies Pakistan will adopt. The bill does not have the provision that economic aid to Pakistan will be terminated or reduced if the country does not implement some of the recommendations made by the U.S. Congress. The World Bank and IMF support comes with this kind of contingency.... This is the way the U.S. system works. It is not peculiar to aid to Pakistan." Opinion: "The Bad Old Kerry-Lugar Bill," an op-ed by Kamran Shafi in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "So, if the present American administration under the wise leadership of Barack Obama is trying to cleanse our polity why are we protesting?... But seriously, aid-givers do what they will; aid-receivers should do what they will. The Kerry-Lugar bill was passed by the U.S. Congress, not by the Pakistani parliament. The language used is because the $15 billion that were pumped into the country during the Commando's time in the sun were not accounted for properly.... If someone doesn't like the language, let him/her refuse the money. It is as simple as that. Beggars as we all know cannot be choosers." Opinion: "Terms Of Friendship," an op-ed by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/20) "The Obama Administration would do well to seek to reverse the damage by showing respect and encouraging Congress to also respect the sentiments of the Pakistani people as well as the country's red lines of its sovereignty. The way the U.S. is perceived after all affects the extent of cooperation it can get from any government in Islamabad.... Institutional dysfunction and disconnect, the intensely personalized conduct of foreign policy, bypassing institutions and not taking parliamentary allies and other political forces in to confidence all contributed to Islamabad's flawed engagement with the process leading up to the adoption of the Kerry-Lugar Bill. Had this not been the case it is conceivable that the outcome might have been different. In part because of its desire to take 'sole credit' for the American aid package the government behaved the way it did. In its anxiety to secure the aid package it overlooked its obligation to try to ensure that the law's provisions were not an affront to the country in the eyes of its people." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson