PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, TERRORISM/MILITARY,

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 002585 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: TOP STORIES, TERRORISM/MILITARY, KERRY-LUGAR BILL, SECRETARY CLINTON'S VISIT, POLITICAL, ECON/BUSINESS, MISCELLANEOUS - OCTOBER 23, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of the broad daylight assassination of a Pak Army brigadier along with another soldier in Islamabad dominated front pages in all newspapers on Friday. Pegged to it were reports that 24 militants were killed in S. Waziristan military offensive. Reports that President Obama was likely to sign the military aid bill for Pakistan with new conditions received prominent coverage. Secretary Clinton's vow to counter propaganda in Pakistan was also given prominent coverage. Some dailies also reported that Secretary Clinton would arrive in Islamabad on October ¶28. Newspapers reported that Farooq Haider was elected as AJK Prime Minister. Commenting on the closure of educational institutions in the country in the wake of terrorist attacks, the prestigious English language daily, "Dawn," termed it a psychological victory for the militants. In its editorial on the impending new U.S. curbs on military aid to Pakistan, another daily, "The Nation," called the Congressional move a hostile U.S. intent. All news channels reported that six people were killed in a suicide blast near Kamra Aeronautical Complex in Attock early Friday morning. End Summary. TOP STORIES News Story: "Army Loses Another Brigadier To Terror" "Dawn" (10/23) "Unidentified gunmen ambushed a military jeep in the federal capital's G-11 Sector on Thursday, killing a serving Brigadier Moinuddin Ahmed and his driver. An armed soldier was injured." (Story also front paged in: Daily Times, The News,The Nation, Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, Khabrain, Express) News Story: "24 Militants, Two Soldiers Killed In South Waziristan Agency Action" "The News" (10/23) "Security forces continued consolidating positions in Tor Ghundai and Gurgurai Sar areas without making any considerable advance against militants in South Waziristan on the sixth day of the Rah-e-Nijat operation on Thursday. The troops have yet to declare Kotkai a secured area to get psychological edge over the militants, as the village is the hometown of TTP head Hakimullah Mehsud and his cousin and lieutenant Qari Hussain, known as the mentor of suicide bombers." (Story also front paged in: Dawn, Daily Times, The News, The Nation, The Post, Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, Khabrain, Express) TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES News Story: "Obama Likely To Sign Pak Aid Bill With Curbs" "Dawn" website (10/23) "The U.S. Senate is poised to a send a defence bill to President Barack Obama late on Thursday, which includes tough new conditions on American military aid to Pakistan. The president is likely to sign the fiscal 2010 defence authorization bill despite objections to its funding for a controversial backup jet fighter engine." News Story: "U.S. To Counter Propaganda In Pakistan: Hillary" "The Nation" website (10/23) "The United States will forcefully counter what Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calls 'propaganda and misinformation' being spread against various U.S. actions vis-a-vis Pakistan, including the Kerry-Lugar aid bill. 'We have adopted a new approach, which is, we do not leave any misstatement or inaccuracy unanswered', she said when questioned about how Washington planned to counter the growing anti-US sentiments in Pakistan." (Story also front paged in: The News, Nawa-i-Waqt) News Story: "Clinton Vows U.S. Support For Pakistan's 'Courageous' Fight" "Dawn" website "The News" (10/23) "As Pakistan pushed its battle against militant stronghold in South Waziristan amid continuing retaliatory terrorist attacks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced U.S. solidarity and support for the nation's 'courageous' anti-terror fight. Speaking at US Institute of Peace, Clinton also noted that the recent terrorist attacks against government and military targets do not pose a threat to Pakistan's nuclear command and control." News Story: "Top Guns Of Punjabi Taliban Captured" "Dawn" (10/23) "Security agencies have arrested two of the highest ranking Punjabi Taliban commanders, who are believed to have masterminded the 10/10 attack on Army's General Headquarters (GHQ) and other high-profile strikes in Lahore. The two commanders identified as Iqbal and Gul Muhammad, both hailing from Faisalabad, were arrested earlier this week by law-enforcement agencies, senior officials disclosed to 'Dawn' on Thursday." News Story: "Advancing Troops Besiege Kotkai" "Dawn" (10/23) "Security forces besieged the militant stronghold of Kotkai in South Waziristan after fierce clashes on Thursday. Officials said seven militants and five soldiers were killed in gunbattles in Sherwangei, Nawazkot and areas around Kotkai, the hometown of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Hakimullah Mehsud." News Story: "PAF To Continue Supporting Army In South Waziristan Agency" "Daily Times" (10/23) "The Pakistan Air Force will continue to support the army in its fight against terrorists in South Waziristan, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said on Thursday." News Story: "9 Terrorists Gunned Down In Mohmand" "The Nation" (10/23) "Security forces killed nine terrorists and destroyed several houses and hideouts of militants in Mohmand Agency on Thursday. According to details, the security forces supported by gunship helicopters, heavy artillery and armored vehicles." News Story: "South Waziristan Special" "Daily Times" (10/23) Leader of the Mehsud Taliban, Rehman is now the strongest commander of TTP and controls between 7,000 and 10,000 armed fighters in South Waziristan. A Malkhel Mehsud, Rehman is approximately 40 years old, a resident of Momi Karama area, and belongs to a middle class family." News Story: "ICG Calls For Political Reforms In FATA" "Dawn" (10/23) "An international watchdog body has expressed doubts over the lasting impact of the operation in South Waziristan because of military's attempts to appease rival Taliban factions and absence of political reforms in the region. The Brussels-based International Crisis Group in its report 'Pakistan: Countering Militancy in FATA' has attributed Taliban's influence in the area to 'short-sighted military policies and a colonial-era body of law' that isolated the region from the rest of the country. News Story: "Terrorists Plan Attacks On Army Convoys In Punjab, NWFP" "Daily Times" (10/23) "The Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and Al Qaeda are planning to attack army convoys in Rawalpindi, Kharian, Multan and Okara cantonments in addition to hitting important targets in Kohat, Bunnu and Dera Ismail Khan, according to recent intelligence reports." News Story: "Fresh Travel Advisory Issued For U.S. Citizens" "Daily Times" (10/23) "The U.S. Embassy on Thursday issued a fresh travel advisory, urging its citizens in Pakistan to take measures for their security at all times. 'These measures include maintaining good situational awareness, avoiding crowds and keeping a low profile,' the Embassy said." News Story: "President, PM Discuss Security Situation" "The News" 10/23) "President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday met for the third time in one week and discussed the security situation in the country amid the fresh wave of terrorist attacks. Zardari and Gilani, who also met on Friday and Tuesday, decided to establish a counter-terrorism wing in the Information Ministry. The wing will coordinate with the print and electronic media. According to sources, it was decided during the meeting that the premier would convene a meeting of all the four chief ministers today (Friday) to formulate a new security plan in the wake of fresh terrorism attacks." News Story: "Police Arrest Terror Suspect" "The News" 10/232) "Capital city police have arrested a suspected terrorist from the Faizabad area with thousands of bullets of different caliber, explosive devices and sophisticated parts of sub machineguns (SMGs) and 7 MM rifle, police said." News Story: "U.S. Envoy Holbrooke Denies Being 'Missing In Action'" "Dawn" 10/23) "Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, has hit back at critics who have accused him of disappearing from public view amid major crises in the countries under his purview. 'I didn't know I was missing in action because I was kind of busy all day,' the senior diplomat said in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine blog The Cable." News Story: "U.S. Spying On Kahuta Since 2003" "The Nation" (10/23) "Despite the fact that Americans have been permanently housed near Pakistani nuclear installations at Kahuta since 2003 in the guise of imparting training at the Police College Sihala, neither the military nor the PPP regime has dared to dislodge them, according to reliable sources." News Story: "Certain Forex Dealers Financing Terrorists: Malik - Daily Times" (10/23) "Certain money exchange dealers and other 'foreign sources' are financing terrorists, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Thursday. He said the ministry had taken serious notice of such reports and had directed the Federal Investigation Agency to conduct a through investigation into the matter." Editorial: "Not The Right Decision," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/23) "The decision to close schools, colleges and universities in most parts of the country this week can only be termed a psychological victory for the militants.... All sides in a war rely on psychological propaganda as a major weapon to demoralize the enemy, sow confusion in its ranks and make it believe that further resistance would be useless.... The closure has brought the morale of the people to a new low and perhaps given ideas to the enemy.... What is needed is a joint effort by the education departments and the official security apparatus to draft and implement a safety plan." Editorial: "Need To Fight On Several Fronts To Defend Homeland," an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (10/23) "It has now become almost a routine that whenever Pakistan faces a difficult situation, India begins mounting pressure on us diplomatically as well as militarily. It is once again using this strategy for vested interests. After the Pakistan army launched operation in Waziristan, India started military build-up on our eastern border. Meanwhile, Tehran is also pointing fingers at us following suicide attack on its top security officials. It seems that the conspiracies to isolate Pakistan in the region are gaining momentum with the every passing day. We think that time has come to tell the U.S. in plain terms that Pakistan has paid a very heavy price in the war on terror. Now it is not in a position to render more sacrifices by jeopardizing its own existence." Editorial: "Moving Targets," an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/23) "There is now a palpable sense of 'drift' in the ongoing security crisis. Our police and security services are unwilling or unable to enforce even straightforward attempts to protect the populace. The ordinary people of Pakistan going about their daily business can see for themselves at every turn of the road that the state is failing in its duty to protect them. We need to be hearing from our leaders what it is that they propose to do to remedy the situation. Rest in peace Brigadier Moin - another good man down." Editorial: "Culture Takes A Hit," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/23) "The theatre of war has expanded to South Waziristan. Meanwhile, it is far from business as usual in other parts of the country. In Lahore, amongst the prime victims of the deteriorating security situation, are the many cultural activities that were, in happier times, emblematic of the city. Since the recent spate of terror attacks in the city, cinema audiences have dropped by about 80 per cent. Commercial theatres have suffered similarly. The fear of a terror attack, particularly in view of the militants' opposition to cultural activities, is a significant deterrent." Editorial: "Treacherous Act Of Pentagon," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (10/23) "Pentagon has confirmed a news item published in this newspaper that soon after launching of the military operation "Rah-e-Nijat", the US and NATO forces took a number of steps in Afghanistan that are in direct conflict with the objective of the operation and considered intriguing by defence analysts and strategists. One of such measures included vacation of check pots on the Afghan side of the border, giving free hand to Taliban for a two-way movement.... This act of the United States would surely be misunderstood especially when it has been taken without consultation with the Pakistan Army.... It is really surprising that the United States was taking unilateral decisions in a war endangering interests of its partners and allies despite the fact that there is formal mechanism for coordination of the strategy." Editorial: "A Tougher Stance," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (10/23) "Interior Minister Rehman Malik has come down hard on India.... Be that as it may, we believe that the gist of Mr. Malik's blunt comments on India is correct. Whatever India may or may not be doing inside Pakistan, it is clear that the Indians are still unwilling to move out of the accusation mode.... whatever doubts the Indian government has about Pakistan's bona fides as a partner in the fight against terrorism, it has a bigger duty to try and thwart future attacks - and public warnings but no intelligence-sharing seems to run contrary to the fulfillment of that duty." Editorial: "Obama's Afghanistan Dilemma," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (10/23) "If the Americans have to go away Pakistan must be in a position to benefit from their exit. And this can happen only if it re-thinks its old strategy on the Taliban and leans more on consultations with the regional states. What happened in consequence of the policies adopted in the 1990s - known as policies of 'strategic depth' - must teach us to approach Afghanistan with a new understanding of our western neighbor and our region." Opinion: "Implications Of The Waziristan Operation," an op-ed by Shafqat Mahmood in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/23) "The mother of all battles it may not be, but success of the Waziristan operation is critical to the fight against militancy in Pakistan. It is the last frontier, an un-policed border land, a black hole in sovereign territory that has become a centre of terror. Without taking control of it, victory in Pakistan's terror war is impossible.... Losing this area will be a setback to militancy." Opinion: "A Make-Or-Break Moment For Pakistan," an op-ed by Ayaz Amir in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (10/23) "The imperative holds that if we are to emerge from this test successfully, nation and army must acquire the not-easy habit of thinking for themselves rather than looking at things through American eyes. While American friendship is something to be cherished, American guidance and tutelage are afflictions to be avoided like the plague. The U.S. has started wars it is having a hard time finishing. It is not doing too good a job of managing Afghanistan. On the question of whether or not to send more troops to Afghanistan, Washington presents a picture of dithering and irresolution. Contrast this with the steady resolve our army has shown from Swat onwards. Which only means that while our army can do with the right kind of help - helicopters and precision-guided munitions above all - advice and lectures can be kept on hold for later." SECRETARY CLINTON'S VISIT News Story: "Clinton To Arrive On 28th" "The News" (10/23) "U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is visiting Pakistan on October 28 to discuss host of issues with special focus on Kerry-Lugar Bill with Pakistan's high level leadership. Diplomatic sources told Online that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Pakistan has now been finalized. She will be accompanied by U.S. special Representative on Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke." (Story also front paged in: Jang, Express) KERRY-LUGAR BILL Editorial: "New Curbs On Military Aid," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (10/23) "If anyone in Pakistan had any doubts about the hostile U.S. intent towards this country, especially its defence institutions and capabilities, the move in the U.S. Congress to impose new restrictions on U.S. military aid to Pakistan should set them straight. The Indian hand in this move is clear because one of the rationales is to ensure that this aid does not 'upset the balance in the region.'" Editorial: "For How Long Pakistan Will Depend On Foreign Aid?," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (10/23) "The government has decided to accept the U.S. aid under the controversial Kerr-Lugar Bill. Since its participation in the U.S.-led so-called war on terror, Pakistan has suffered tremendous losses which totals up to the frightening figure of $35-$40 billion. Its economy has been reduced to almost rubble, about 60 percent of Pakistan's total population has receded under the poverty line, while the unrestrained series of suicide bombings and terrorist attacks have jolted the entire social fabric of the country. Ironically, despite all our sacrifices, the international community doubts our sincerity, and demands such measures from us which may even efface the very existence of our own country from the globe. It is high time for us to give up the habit of begging for foreign assistance." "Federal Cabinet Meeting: KLB Acceptance And American Conditions," an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (10/23) "The Government has decided to accept the aid under Kerry-Lugar Bill.... According to Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Pakistan has been forced to accept itself as a terrorist state.... In return to $1.5 billion annual aid we are fighting a war on which we have spent $35 billion from our own pocket.... It would still be better for the government to reconsider its decision to accept American alms." Editorial: "KLB: Decision To Accept Aid," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (10/23) "Despite all the reservations and apprehensions the government of Pakistan has decided to accept $7.5 billion aid spread over five years.... Pakistan did not force America for the aid or cooperation. This was the U.S. need and this cooperation was in its interest. Undoubtedly, it is in Pakistan's interest too.... The fresh news is that the American Congress is considering new and harsh conditions vis-`-vis military aid for Pakistan.... The U.S. administration and the Congress should consider Pakistan's reaction and should not force Pakistan for an adverse reaction." Editorial: "Federal Cabinet: Decision To Accept U.S. Aid," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 5000) "It is tragic that just when the Federal Cabinet was deciding to accept U.S. aid under the Kerry-Lugar bill, along with the explanatory notes, the U.S. Congress was planning to slap tougher sanctions on military assistance to Pakistan.... Only time will tell how beneficial this aid [under the Kerry-Lugar Bill] will be for the country.... [By accepting the aid] the federal cabinet has enslaved every single Pakistani for $8 per head to the U.S. This is the view of the patriotic Pakistanis. Meanwhile, the pro-government circles are extremely happy that successful diplomacy by Hussain Haqqani and Shah Mehmud Qureshi has led to the addition of the explanatory note with the bill." Editorial: "Federal Cabinet: Rejection Of Reservations On Kerry-Lugar Bill" an editorial in the Lahore-based Urdu daily "Waqt" (circ 5000) (10/23) "Last Wednesday, the Federal Cabinet decided to accept U.S. assistance under the Kerry-Lugar bill despite strong reservations expressed by the nation and the opposition. The Information Minister says that the explanatory notes attached to the bill have removed any misgivings on the issue.... On the other hand there are reports that there is a likelihood that the U.S. Congress would impose tough sanctions on military aid to Pakistan.... Seeing this change of events, it should be stated that the Pakistani leadership needs to keep the nation's aspirations supreme and give importance to the opinion expressed by the parliament." POLITICAL ISSUES News Story: "Farooq Haider New Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) PM" "The Nation" (10/23) "Raja Farooq Haider, a candidate of Muslim Conference, has been elected the Leader of the House in AJK Legislative Assembly by securing 29 votes in the House of 48 members." News Story: "PPP Plans To Bulldoze NRO Through Parliament" "The News" 10/23) "The government has planned to bulldoze the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) through Standing Committees on Law and Justice of the National Assembly and the Senate on the force of its majority. 'When we have a clear majority not only in the bodies but also in both the parliamentary chambers, we are not shy of pushing the NRO through the Senate and the National Assembly at a speed of our own choice,' a cabinet minister, who is part of the ongoing consultations at the Presidency about the passage of this crucial legislation, told The News on the condition of not being named." News Story: "Nawaz Accepts Zardari's Invitation To Banquet" "Dawn" (10/23) "PML-N chief Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif has accepted an invitation to a banquet President Asif Ali Zardari will host on Monday for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is learnt that President Zardari and Mr. Sharif will hold a separate meeting before or after the banquet to discuss important issues, including the Kerry-Lugar bill and the National Reconciliation Ordinance." News Story: "Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Referendum On K-L Law Today" "The Nation" (10/23) "Jamaat-e-Islami has finalized arrangements for holding Peoples Referendum on Kerry-Lugar Bill and the U.S. interference in the country on Friday (today) with the constitution of monitoring teams at provincial level. The JI is seeking public opinion on the US aid under the Kerry-Lugar Bill, drone attacks resulting in killing of innocent tribal people, alleged presence of Blackwater network, establishment of a U.S. cantonment at the U.S. Embassy and the pro-U.S. policies of the rulers." ECON/BUSINESS News Story: "SC Judge Takes Offence At Commission Report On Sugar" "Dawn" (10/23) "A Supreme Court judge, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, on Thursday expressed serious reservations over the report of the one-man commission appointed to determine the sugar industry's production cost and profit margin, branding it as non-starter. 'We had appointed the commission to determine the cost of production and not to lecture us on economics,' Justice Khawaja observed, saying the report had gone beyond its mandate." News Story: "Sugar Crisis Worsens Across NWFP" "The News" (10/23) "Consumers and small dealers looted trucks loaded with sugar on the Dilazak Road and the Ring Road on Thursday as the commodity crisis deepened across the NWFP and it prices continued to fluctuate from Rs 80 to Rs 120 on the retail outlets." News Story: "Agreement Likely On New NFC Resources Distribution" "The News" (10/23) "Senator Haji Mohammad Adeel has said the federating units and centre may agree on changing criteria for the distribution of resources from the divisible pool and factors including revenue generation, poverty, unemployment and effects of terrorism would also be considered by the National Finance Commission (NFC). 'Three federating units are likely to agree on changing the criteria for resources distribution.'" MISCELLANEOUS News Story: "Strong Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan And Pakistan" "Dawn" (10/23) "A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit the border area between northeast Afghanistan and Pakistan on Friday, shaking buildings in both countries, officials said." News Story: "PCO Judges Were Never Ever Judges Of Supreme Court (SC): Full Court" "The News" (10/23) "The full court meeting of the Supreme Court on Thursday observed that the judges who were appointed under the November 3, 2007 Provisional Constitution Order (PCO),were never ever judges of the apex court. The full court meeting, held here at the Supreme Court building under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, discussed different matters, including the issuance of last pay certificate to the judges who had ceased to hold office in pursuance of the July 31 judgment." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson