PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MARCH 04, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000472 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MARCH 04, 2009 Summary: Reports and photographs of the shooting attack in Lahore killing seven people and injuring several Sri Lankan cricketers dominated all front pages on Wednesday. Some major dailies reported that President Obama expressed "deep concern" over the attack. Most major dailies also highlighted President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani's phone calls to the Sri Lankan President expressing their "condemnation and deep regrets" over the tragic incident. In other stories, newspapers highlighted reports that "Army Chief Kiyani briefed President Zardari, PM Gilani about his U.S. visit." The English daily, "Dawn," reported that a "bill to set up reconstruction opportunity zones (ROZs) along the Pakistan-Afghan border has been introduced in the U.S. Congress." The government's decision to "withdraw the Mobile Court Ordinance" also received prominent display. All newspapers, without exception, ran editorials on the Lahore attack and its possible motives and consequences. The centrist national English daily, "The News," noted that the "reality is that this is just as likely to be an attack made by our own home-grown terrorist organizations as it is to have been made or facilitated by 'foreign hands.'" The populist center-right daily, "Khabrain," observed that the "country is facing grave domestic and foreign threats, yet our political leadership is still fighting over power." The country's premier business daily, "Business Recorder," opined that "Pakistan is confronted with a multi-dimensional threat to its survival." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Mumbai Terror Visits Lahore" "Dawn" (03/04) "Sri Lankan cricketers narrowly escaped a deadly attack on Tuesday morning when terrorists ambushed the bus carrying them to the Qadhafi Stadium for the third day's play of the second Test. Some evidence gathered by police suggested that it could actually have been an attempt at kidnapping the Lankan players. At least seven people - six policemen escorting the Sri Lankans and the driver of another van in the convoy - were killed and another 20 injured in the attack near the Liberty roundabout, 500 meters from the stadium." "Assault On Pak-Lanka Ties: U.S." "Dawn" (03/04) "U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday expressed deep concern over a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore while the State Department Deputy spokesman Gordon K. Duguid said it was an assault on 'positive relations' between Sri Lanka and Pakistan." "President, PM Phone Sri Lankan President" "The News" (03/04) "President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday telephoned President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa and expressed their condemnation and deep regrets over the terror attack on the cricket team of Sri Lanka in Lahore." "Malik Sees Foreign Hand" "Dawn" (03/04) "Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik has said the possibility of 'external' involvement in the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team could not be ruled out." "Capture Or Kill, Taseer Orders Authorities" "Daily Times" (03/04) "Governor Salmaan Taseer on Tuesday told law enforcement agencies to either catch or kill the perpetrators of the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team, while talking to a private TV channel." "Indian Hand Can't Be Ruled Out" "The Nation" (03/04) "Intelligence agencies have said that India's hand in attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore is possible, according to intelligence agencies sources." "Who Is To Blame For The 3/3 Incident?" "The News" (03/04) "While many in Pakistan have already pointed the finger of suspicion at India for masterminding the 3/3 terrorist attacks in Lahore, there were those in the country's security establishment who suspect the possible involvement of some Jihadi elements from the Punjab in the bloody assault, which clearly has the hallmark of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks." "Security Loopholes Helped Gunmen Flee" "Dawn" (03/04) "Security Loopholes and police officials' inefficiency gave a lot of room to gunmen to attack the visiting Sri Lankans and flee from the scene, 'Dawn' learned." "150 Detained, Arms, Explosives Seized" "Dawn" (03/04) "Police have taken into custody over 150 people and seized large quantity of arms and ammunition during a massive search operation carried out in different areas of the city after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team on Tuesday." "COAS Briefs President, PM About His U.S. Visit" "The News" (03/04) "Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who just returned from his official visit to the United States, on Tuesday held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and briefed them about the visit." "ROZ Bill Introduced In U.S. Congress" "Dawn" (03/04) "A bill to set up reconstruction opportunity zones along the Pakistan-Afghan border has been introduced in the U.S. Congress. Supported by the State Department and the U.S. Trade Representative, the proposed measure, aims to encourage investment and economic development in the Pakistan-Afghan border region by granting duty-free entry to the united States for certain goods produced there." "Swat Peace Not Out Of The Woods; Sufi Threatens To Withdraw As Arbitrator" "The News" (03/04) "In yet another serious blow to the shaky Swat peace deal, the militants on Tuesday kidnapped two high ranking officials of the Anti-Corruption Department and killed two soldiers in Ronial area of Matta Tehsil. On the other hand, TNSM Chief Sufi Muhammad has accused the security forces for the violation of the peace accord and threatened to withdraw as arbitrator. However, the NWFP government spokesman Mian Iftikhar Hussain asked Sufi Muhammad to take notice of the 'elements bent upon sabotaging the peace agreement' as such action could impede implementation of the Nizam-e-Adl." "Militants Torch 4 Schools In Darra" "The News" (03/04) "Suspected militants torched four schools in Sanikhel area of Darra Adamkhel, Frontier Region Kohat, in the wee hours of Tuesday." "And Now There Is Tehrik-e-Taliban Balochistan!" "The News" (03/04) "Pakistani Taliban have now surfaced in Balochistan by organizing themselves under the banner of Tehrik-e-Taliban Balochistan, Engineer Asad, claiming to be its spokesman, said in a phone call from an undisclosed location in Balochistan." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Cricket - The Requiem," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/04) "The reality is that this is just as likely to be an attack made by our own home-grown terrorist organizations as it is to have been made or facilitated by 'foreign hands.' There is no shortage of highly-competent well-armed and trained groups within our own borders capable of such an operation. They have no need of foreign assistance or foreign money - there are plenty of people here happy to finance them and offer logistical support." "Terrorist Attack On Sri Lankan Cricket Team," an editorial in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir. 50,000) (03/04) "The country is facing grave domestic and foreign threats, yet our political leadership is still fighting for power. However, Mian Nawaz Sharif's statement urging that all must work together to fight this situation is very encouraging. It is true that our heads are hanging in shame - they will only be raised when we fight terrorism jointly." "Attack On SL Cricket Team," an editorial in the country's premier business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (03/04) "That Pakistan's survival is under a threat, the shooting attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on Tuesday serves to deepen such fears. Right in the heart of the provincial metropolis a clutch of masked gunmen had the audacity to challenge the writ of the state... There is no gainsaying the fact that Pakistan is confronted with a multi-dimensional threat to its survival. Unmistakable signs suggest that efforts are afoot to cast Pakistan in the definition of a 'failed state.' And there is no denying that our enemy's designs to see Pakistan branded as a failed state have received our help, of course vicariously." "Tragedy In Lahore," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (03/04) "By no stretch of the imagination can a Pakistani militant or terrorist organization bear a grudge against Sri Lanka, let along its cricketers. The context, then, suggests that the attack was carried out by internal or external elements who wish to either destabilize the Pakistan government or to further isolate it internationally. Whose agenda does this attack fit, is the question that needs to be asked, probed and answered." "Lahore Tragedy: Conspiracy To Defame And Destabilize Pakistan," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (03/04) "The country is faced with unfortunate situation with America, India and Israel making efforts to destabilize Pakistan through terrorism and deprive it of its nuclear assets. On the other hand we are a target of attack by U.S. spy planes.... Taking advantage of recent changes in Punjab, the terrorists have given a clear message that they are capable of doing any kind of misdeed." "Al Qaeda Strikes In Lahore ... And Effect On National Politics," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (03/04) "The question here is of the survival of Pakistan, not of cricket. The country is split down the middle, its two mainstream parties getting ready to face each other in the streets amid rising violence.... Unfortunately, it seems they are not going to give up confrontation to unite against Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda is hardly interested in the restoration of the deposed judges or the correct observance of democratic rules in Pakistan. It wants Pakistan as its own state, armed with nuclear weapons and an economy that can sustain global terrorism." "Another Serious Incident Of Terrorism," an editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (03/04) "It seems that whatever happened in Lahore the other day was a well thought-out plan, and possibility of involvement of some foreign elements cannot be ruled out. It is important to investigate this incident at the highest level, and expose the perpetrators responsible for this shocking episode, and bring them to justice. It is a plot to strike at the foundations of the country." "An Act Of Pakistan's Enemies," an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (03/04) "It is not the question that what the enemies of Pakistan are thinking or planning, the pertinent question is what our intelligence agencies are doing, and how such big terror acts are recurring so frequently? Now the international media has got another issue to disparage Pakistan. Whether the perpetrators are Pakistanis or not, the intelligence departments are to blame for all this chaos, as they are engaged in the political adventures at the moment." "RAW Is Engaged In Multi-Pronged Anti-Pakistan Conspiracies," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (circ. 5000) (03/04) "Indian agency RAW wants to damage Punjab's soft image at the international level through such acts. The purpose behind all such heinous activities is to get Pakistan's nuclear program capped by creating an impression in the UN that since no Pakistani city is safe from terrorists, there is a threat of Pakistan's nuclear weapons landing in terrorists hands. Hence, by getting Pakistan declared as a failed state [India wants] international troops deployed here. This is India's real target. India enjoys covert and overt U.S. and Israeli support in achieving this target." "A Security Disaster," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (03/04) "Proper security measures were definitely not taken to avoid this unfortunate incident. The fact that gunmen were able to flee the site of the attack shows that the attackers were well-trained and that they did not confront tough resistance from the security apparatus." "Terrorist Attack On Sri Lankan Cricket Team: Question Mark On The Future Of Sports In Pakistan," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (03/04) "Notwithstanding, whether local or foreign elements were involved in this terrorist act, we urge the government and the Pakistan Cricket Board not to try and convince another foreign team to visit Pakistan for the time being." "Terrorism In Lahore," an editorial in liberal and independent Hyderabad based Sindhi Daily "Kawish" (Cir: 105,000) (03/04) "Following the terrorists' attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, no other country will send its players to Pakistan. Just imagine what isolation Pakistan is going to suffer as it will become a 'no go area' for foreign sportsmen. Is this not time for all political and religious parties to renounce their differences, and jointly take the bull of terrorism by the horns." "Conspiracy To Destabilize Pakistan," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000) (03/04) "The attack on Sri Lankan cricket team is aimed to defame Pakistan in the world. The incident occurred at a time when the province was in the grip of political tension and polarization. One response from the leading political parties could be to unite together, and tell India and the U.S. clearly that their conspiracies to undermine Pakistan and bring it on the verge of failed state will not succeed." "Black Day For Pakistan's Cricket," an editorial in Karachi based left-wing Sindhi Daily "Awami Awaz" (Cir. 70,000) (03/04) "This is a positive indication that the government has not linked Lahore attack with the Mumbai attacks in a haphazard way since we need to wait for the conclusive findings. It is unfortunate that a section of the Pakistani media is fueling the popular emotions against a particular country, and attempting to aggravate the situation." "Lahore Terror: Blow To Friends, Opportunity For Foes," an op-ed by Shireen M. Mazari in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/04) "This act of terrorism gives more opportunities to the U.S. to conduct more direct military operations within Pakistan on the pretext that the Pakistani government is unable to deal with the terrorist menace. Of course, their role in exacerbating the terrorist problem in the first place is never touched upon. But even more disturbing is the suspicion that apart from our enemies outside, who could possibly benefit from this action?" "Liberty Attack," an op-ed by Nasim Zehra in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/04) "Unconstitutional acts that push the people from tragedy to tragedy, the country from incapacity to paralysis, from crisis to turmoil, are criminal acts in the public consciousness.... Some steps of those in power will have to be retraced. Taking the nation on a one-way road to disaster is unacceptable." "Musharraf's Word Of Advice To U.S.," an editorial in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (03/04) "Former President Gen. (R) Pervez Musharraf has urged Washington to go instead for dialogue process and enter into peace deal with Taliban as this is the only solution to address the challenge.... If the United Stated is not ready to listen to the friendly advice of Musharraf then it should ponder over assessment of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper who said in an interview on Sunday that he did not believe the war in Afghanistan would ever be won." "Peace On The Taliban's Terms," an op-ed by Iqbal Akhund in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (03/04) "Now peace is said to be returning to Swat but clearly it is going to be peace on Taliban terms. So, once again, as in the past, Islamists have imposed their agenda by default.... So while I do not think that Pakistan is going to be Talibanized in the Mullah Omar manner, the slow drift towards Islamization that began at the beginning, seems unstoppable." GFeierstein