PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 27, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000435

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 27, 2009

Summary: National political stories, in the wake of the Supreme
Court's judgment to bar Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif from holding
any public office, continued to dominate headlines on the second
consecutive day in all newspapers on Friday. Several major
newspapers highlighted remarks attributed to President Zardari that
"PPP knows how to tackle political challenges." PML-N chief Nawaz
Sharif's claim made while addressing a public gathering that
"Shahbaz is still Chief Minister (of Punjab)" also received
prominent coverage. Newspapers highlighted Admiral Mullen's remarks
that "General Kayani's visit had helped U.S. understand the Swat
peace agreement." CIA Director Panetta's statement that the "drone
attacks inside Pakistan would go on" received front page coverage in
newspapers.

The current political upheaval following the announcement of the
Supreme Court's judgment, and consequently the departure of the
Punjab administration continued to grab attention of the editorial
writers and columnists today. The Islamabad-based daily, "Pakistan
Observer," noted that the "ensuing turbulent period would inflict
colossal damage on the already shattered economy and the life of the
common man would become more miserable." The second-largest daily,
"Nawa-i-Waqt," advised that the "situation may perhaps be salvaged
if President Zardari acts unilaterally to nullify the Supreme
Court's verdict." Likewise the mass circulation daily, "Jang,"
cautioned that "in the past, whenever there was power politics and
confrontation in the country, only non-political forces and
adventures took advantage of the situation." End Summary.

--------------
News Stories
--------------

"PPP Knows How To Tackle Challenges: Asif" "The Nation" (02/27)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said that Pakistan Peoples
Party (PPP) was a force that knew how to contend with political
challenges adding however, it did not believe in confrontation and
had therefore adopted the policy of reconciliation for the sake of
democracy and political stability in the country."

"Shahbaz Is Still Chief Minister, Says Nawaz" "Dawn" (02/27)

"Pakistan Muslin League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif has again rejected
Supreme Court's decision disqualify him and his brother Shahbaz
Sharif and said Shahbaz Sharif continues to be the constitutional
Chief Minister. 'I've asked him (Shahbaz Sharif) to go to the
Punjab Assembly and start his official work,' the PML-N leader told
a large gathering of party workers in Sheikhupura on Thursday."

"Governor Rule After PML-N Declared 'War', Says Zardari" "Daily
Times" (02/27)

"President Asif Ali Zardari said on Thursday he had imposed
governor's rule in Punjab after the Sharif brothers declared war on
the Presidency following the Supreme Court decision to disqualify
them. Addressing a meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC)
of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP),the president said he had been
left with no other constitutional alternative."

"Verdict Has Harmed Democracy: Gilani - PPP Feels The Heat As
Turmoil Over SC Ruling Mounts" "Dawn" (02/27)

"The PPP-led coalition government seemed facing the worst political
crisis on its 11-month life as nation-wide protests on Thursday
denounced a Supreme Court ruling that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza
Gilani acknowledged had hurt a nascent democracy."

"Nawaz Gives Roadmap For Resistance" "The Nation" (02/27)

"Shutting all doors of reconciliation with PPP and deciding never to
hold talks with President Asif Zardari, PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif has
announced the 'roadmap' for the resistance movement across the
country against ineligibility decision and imposition of the
Governor Rule in Punjab. This was decided during an important
meeting held at his Raiwind residence on Thursday."

"PML-N Decides To Launch Movement Against Govt." "Daily Times"
(02/27)

"The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) decided on Thursday to
launch a nationwide protest against the PPP government, a private TV
channel reported. The decision was taken during a meeting presided
over by PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif. The meeting also decided to
submit a requisition for an NA session, the channel added."

"PML-N Protest Cripples Life In Cities" "The News" (02/27)

"Charged protesters burnt vehicles and tyres as the Pakistan Muslim
League-Nawaz (PML-N) observed countrywide protests on Thursday by
holding demonstrations and staging rallies against the
disqualification of the Sharif brothers and the imposition of
governor's rule in Punjab. Most shopping centers in Rawalpindi,
Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and other parts of the
province remained closed. Lawyers and traders also joined the
demonstrations."

"Rangers Deployed In Punjab Cities" "The Nation" (02/27)

"The government has called Rangers contingent in different cities of
the province to assist law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace
and tranquility in the Punjab."

"Crackdown On Media Proposed Sherry Threatens Resignation" "The
News" (02/27)

"President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani are
being strongly urged by some members of the Federal Cabinet to
launch an immediate crackdown on the print media and some TV
channels, but Information Minister Sherry Rehman is believed to have
indicated to resign if this was done."

"Kayani's Visit To Help Understand Swat Deal: Mullen" "Daily Times"
(02/27)

"United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen termed the
visit of Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Kayani to the
U.S. extremely positive, saying the visit had helped U.S. understand
the Swat peace agreement, a private TV channel reported. According
to the channel, Mullen told a press briefing in Virginia that the
U.S. would have to extend more assistance to Pakistan in the war
against terrorism."

"Kayani Meets U.S. Leaders" "The News" (02/27)

"Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who is on
an official visit to the United States had extensive meetings and
consultations in Washington on Thursday. According to ISPR, he
called on General (R) James L. Jones, National Security Advisor, and
Richard Holbrooke, Special Representative to Pakistan and
Afghanistan, and discussed the wide range of security situation in
the region."

"Drone Attacks Inside Pakistan To Go On: CIA Chief" "The News"
(02/27)

"CIA Director Leon Panetta said on Wednesday that U.S. aerial
attacks against Al Qaeda and other extremist strongholds inside
Pakistan would continue, despite concerns about a popular Pakistani
backlash, Washington Post reported."

"FO Hopeful Of Change In U.S. Policy On Drone Attacks" "Dawn"
(02/27)

"Pakistan said on Thursday it was still hopeful of a change in the
U.S. policy on drone attacks in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan,
despite a statement by the CIA Chief that the raids would continue.
'The review (of U.S. policy) is not yet completed and we hope that
as a result of the review there would be some positive change,'
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at a weekly media
briefing."

"Trilateral meetings To Continue" "Dawn" (02/27)

"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday that the
U.S., Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to continue their
trilateral talks and the next meeting would be held in later April
or early May."

"Pakistan Under Pressure At U.S. Talks" "Dawn" (02/27)
"The U.S.-Pakistan-Afghanistan talks are not over yet but Pakistan
already seems to have lost much ground. Since this weekend, when
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived in Washington for
talks with his U.S. and Afghan counterparts, Pakistan has been
singled out as the most dangerous country in the world."

"U.S. Senator Under Fire Over Drone Facility In Pakistan Remarks"
"Daily Times" (02/27)

"Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee have asked
the Obama administration to conduct an inquiry into comments by
Senator Dianne Feinstein that appeared to confirm the existence of a
secret U.S. facility inside Pakistan used to carry out drone attacks
in the Tribal Areas. Amid growing concern inside Pakistan over the
strikes, Newsweek reported that the unusual request by the
Republicans sought a 'damage assessment' into the remarks by
Feinstein, the new chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence
Committee."

"U.S. Will Boost Supplies For Afghan Force, Says General" "Dawn"
(02/27)

"The United States will be able to ramp up supplies for thousands of
extra troops being sent to Afghanistan even though convoys have come
under attack in Pakistan, Air Force General Duncan McNabb, Head of
U.S. Transportation Command said on Wednesday."

"Pakistan Seeks More Trade With U.S. To Overcome Economic Issues"
"Daily Times" (02/27)

"Pakistan is keen to expand trade with the United States to overcome
its economic problems, Ambassador Abdullah Haroon said on Tuesday,
hoping the Obama administration would consider giving more market
access to Pakistani goods."

"U.S., Britain Warn Citizens Against Travel To Pakistan" "Daily
Times" (02/27)

"The U.S. and Britain have advised their citizens against travelling
to Pakistan, citing security concerns, a private TV channel reported
on Thursday. The U.S. State Department released a statement saying
US citizens should not travel to Pakistan as the Taliban might
target them."

"Solecki's Kidnappers - FC Suspicion Falls On Baramdagh" "Dawn"
(02/27)

"Frontier Corps Inspector-General Maj. Gen. Saleem Nawaz has said
that a number of officials, including some Americans, are engaged in
'back-door' negotiations with the kidnappers of John Solecki, Chief
of the UNHCR's local office, he told reporter on Thursday. He said
he could not rule out involvement of nationalist leader Nawabzada
Baramdagh Bugti in the kidnapping."

"Sufi Offers Role For Peace In Waziristan, Bajaur" "The News"
(02/27)

"Security forces have vacated all the checkpoints in the Swat valley
as part of the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stopped checking
vehicles forthwith, sources said on Thursday. Meanwhile, Sufi
Muhammad said he was ready to play his role for restoration of peace
in Waziristan and Bajaur."

"FBI Team Due On March 4 To Investigate Mumbai Attacks" "The Nation"
(02/27)

"A delegation of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led
by its Director Robert Mueller, will visit Pakistan on March 4 to
help Islamabad in probe into the Mumbai attacks, said the Foreign
Office spokesman Abdul Basit on Thursday."

"54 Mega Projects: Friends Of Pakistan Help Sought" "Business
Recorder" (02/27)

"Pakistan has sought assistance from Friends of Pakistan (FoP) for
54 mega development projects, including 8.4 billion-dollar Diamer
Bhasha dam, and Neelum Jhelum hydropower project. According to the
sources in Islamabad on Thursday, a formal announcement for
assistance may come in the next ministerial meeting of the FoP that
the Japanese government has offered to host."

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

"Just After One Year And Seven Days!," an editorial in the
Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir.
5,000) (02/27)

"It is regrettable that even after one year of assumption of powers,
the government has still not settled down and each day a new front
is opened.... What a shame for those who claim to believe in
democracy and democratic norms! In addition to severe setback to
the system, it is also worrisome that the ensuing turbulent period
would inflict colossal damage on the already shattered economy and
the life of the common man would become more miserable."

"Beginning Of A New And Horrific Era Of Confrontation," an editorial
in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (02/27)

"The situation may perhaps be salvaged if President Asif Ali Zardari
acts unilaterally to nullify the Supreme Court verdict against the
Sharif brothers through an act of Parliament, agrees to give lawyers
freehand for the long march and gives assurance for sticking to the
Charter of Democracy.... We also pray to Mian Nawaz Sharif to mind
his language; specially, he should desist from asking government and
police employees to stop taking orders from the government."

"Don't Go To The extreme," an editorial in the leading mass
circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (02/27)

"In the past, whenever there was power politics and confrontation in
the country, only non-political forces and adventurers took
advantage of the situation. Therefore, any political exploit at
this moment will be damaging for the present democratic setup. The
options of filing review petition against the Supreme Court's
verdict, and the selection of the new leader of the house in the
Punjab Assembly are still on hand. Hence the politicians must act
sensibly, and refrain from going to the point of no return."

"Governor's Rule," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (02/27)

"The PPP has opted for a dangerous path of confrontation.... There
are several immediate worries. The PML-N may take to the streets in
Punjab and threaten a severe law and order crisis. The lawyer's
long march may now culminate in violent confrontation. The
federation may feel the strains of pitting the largest province
against the center. And on the back-burner may go the country's
serious crises of militancy, the economy and governance. Democracy
is not dead in Pakistan, but common sense may be."

"Whither Politics?," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/27)

"The imposition of Governor's rule stands challenged in the eyes of
law. By various accounts it seems that the requisition for
Assembly's session was sent before Governor's rule was clamped on
Punjab. Whatever the actual constitutional position may be, one
thing is very clear: the country is not prepared to face the
political crisis that will result in more hardships for the common
man."

"On Way To Armageddon," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/27)

"President Zardari needs to seriously weigh the consequences. He
alone is in a position to call the ugly standoff to a halt. For
this there is need on his part to employ whatever legal,
constitutional and administrative means are available to him to undo
the disqualification of the Sharifs and maintain the PPP-PML(N)
alliance in Punjab."

"Supreme Court Verdict And After," an editorial in the center-right
Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (02/27)

"Mian Nawaz Sharif is breathing fire as he has been pushed into a
corner. The kind of situation Pakistan is going through --
including economic trouble and terrorism - is not hidden from
anyone. In this scenario we urge President Zardari and PM Gillani
to take immediate and necessary steps to control the situation.
They must activate the Parliament to dispel the aftereffects of the
Supreme Court verdict, hold talks to resolve the judiciary issue and
end Governor's Rule in Punjab at the earliest."

"Tick-Tock ... Tick-Tock...," an editorial in the centrist national
English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/27)

"An innocent bystander may be forgiven for thinking that Pakistan
was being run by the President and the small coterie around him,
with democratic process bound and gagged in a cupboard in the bowels
of the National Assembly.... As the MPA's protest, desultory
rioting dots the country and the Sharifs contemplate their next
move, the world watches. Thus far comment from outside has been
limited to 'this is an internal matter for Pakistan' with both the
U.S. and U.K. administrations saying words to that effect; but
neither can view these developments with equanimity."

"Reading Tea-Leaves Of PMLN's Ouster," an editorial in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (02/27)

"This time around, the PMLN and the PPP have chosen to square off
during a most dangerous regional and global moment. The economy is
demanding solutions that the population of Pakistan is not happy
with. Islamabad needs flexibility of response and pragmatism as
never before, but the politicians are refusing to give each other
any ground. The two parties are going for the kill. As in the
past, they might both come a cropper. This time, however, there is
real danger that the state they are trampling upon in the process
may join the failed ranks of Somalia, Sudan, Congo and Zimbabwe."

"Sharif Brothers Disqualification: Killing For Federation," an
editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily
"Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (02/27)

"Peace in Swat and FATA was established with great difficulty. It
cannot be said how long this will remain so, as this peace is not
acceptable to the U.S., NATO, India and Israel. And now the
political leadership has created a law and order situation in
Punjab. Pakistan's enemies will take advantage of this turmoil.
Hence nationalism demands that both PPP and PML-N deal with the
present situation dispassionately and try to revive a spirit of
tolerance for each other."

"Don't Cross The Line," an editorial in liberal and independent
Hyderabad based Sindhi Daily "Kawish" (Cir: 105,000) (02/27)

"After the disqualification of Sharif brothers, protest
demonstrations continue in the central Punjab, whereas the PML-N
chief Nawaz Sharif has asked the civil administration to disregard
the orders of the provincial Governor. One has to think, and ask
how much this call is in the interest of the country, and what
benefits this civil disobedience will give to the country. When
unelected elements ruled the country for about 11 years, no such
calls were given, but now when the nation gives its mandate to the
politicians, why they do not tolerate each other even just for a
year. We advise our politicians not to violate the democratic
values and traditions."

"Imposition Of Governor Rule, And Protest In Punjab," an editorial
in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily
"Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (02/27)

"Pakistani nation has rejected the Supreme Court's judgment to
declare the Sharif brothers as ineligible, and the imposition of
Governor Rule in the province. This has further complicated the
political scenario in the country. And perhaps, this is the biggest
ever protest against any court decision in the Pakistan history.
Nawaz Sharif's consent to join the lawyers' movement has annoyed
President Zardari. Present state of affairs is undermining the
country, and our enemies don't need anything else to do."

"Governor Rule Should Not Have Imposed," an editorial in Karachi
based left-wing Sindhi Daily "Awami Awaz" (Cir. 70,000) (02/27)

"Political forces in the country are in shock to see the imposition
of Governor Rule in the Punjab province. The atmosphere of
reconciliation and compromise that one saw in the country following
February 18 elections is almost over between the two mainstream
parties. And it seems that Pakistan is going back to the politics
of enmity and vengeance of 1990s."

"So What Else Did Anyone Expect?," an op-ed by Ayaz Amir in the
centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/27)

"With the Sharifs' disqualification by a bench of the Supreme Court
- headed by a Chief Justice whose close links to Zardari are well
known - followed by the ouster of the PML-N government in Punjab and
the imposition of governor's rule, Zardari has let slip the mask
from his face by revealing his naked ambition: this time to extend
his power and wrest control of Pakistan's largest province. This is
a dangerous gambit with unpredictable consequences because it
remains to be seen whether he is able to master the crisis he has
sparked or whether it becomes too big for him.... Now we confront
unchecked folly made complicated by gnawing insecurity. What price
will the nation have to pay for this?"

"America Should Return Home," an editorial in the second-largest,
center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000)
(02/27)

"President Barack Obama says that the U.S. administration will not
tolerate safe havens of terrorists.... People in the tribal areas
have picked up arms in retaliation to American and Pakistani
security forces' operations; these people are not terrorists....
President Obama has talked of a new strategy but in our view this
new strategy should be of striking peace deals on the pattern of
Swat peace agreement. America should leave Afghanistan honorably."

"Mounting U.S. And Indian Pressure," an editorial in liberal Urdu
daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (02/27)

"U.S. President Obama has said that terrorist havens in Pakistan
will not be tolerated... The inclusion of some more names and
allegations in the extensive charge-sheet by the Indian government
against Ajmal Kasab shows that the India wants to mount pressure on
Pakistan. In this scenario, it is the government's responsibility
to make the domestic situation peaceful at the earliest so that
national issues are handled appropriately and pressure by India and
the U.S. also countered."

"Pakistan Would Be With U.S., Provided That...?," editorial in the
Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir.
33,000) (02/27)

"In his first address to the U.S. Congress, President Obama has
pledged that his government would not allow safe havens to terrorist
anywhere in the world including Pakistan. If U.S. President really
thinks Pakistan so important, then he needs to consult with
Pakistani political and religious parties before devising any new
policy about this region. If he sincerely works for global peace and
prosperity, he will not find Pakistanis far behind, and it is for
sure that the Muslim world will also support him."

"A Poor Approach," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/27)

"The civilian casualties these drone attacks cause spread the
feeling of hatred of the U.S. and make it easier for Al Qaeda and
Taliban operatives to persuade the vengeful tribesmen to join their
band of insurgents.... A more suitable course for the U.S., which
fits in with its assessment that the Pakistan government is now
committed to root out militancy, would be to work through sharing
intelligence with it and let it devise a strategy to get rid of the
hideouts without creating a serious backlash from the local
population."
GFeierstein