PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MARCH 18, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000576

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: MARCH 18, 2009

Summary: The Government's notifications to "formally reinstate" the
deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and 10 other judges of
superior courts dominated headlines in all newspapers on Wednesday.
U.S. Special envoy Holbrooke's statement that the "resolution of the
judicial dispute prevented a political meltdown in Pakistan"
received prominent display. Some major newspapers highlighted
reports that the U.S. media "lauded" Pakistani leadership to settle
the judicial crisis, and that the British media "hailed"
reinstatement of the judges. Newspapers ran the U.S. State
Department spokesman's remarks that the "U.S. is not going to tell
Pakistani politicians how to end the Governor's rule in Punjab."
All newspapers front-paged reports that the "Qazi courts started
functioning in Swat." Reports that "Pakistan is not satisfied with
Indian response about the Mumbai attacks" also figured prominently
in all newspapers.

The aftermath of the restoration of the judiciary continued to be
the burning question for the editorialists and op-ed writers in most
major dailies. The centrist national daily, "The News," noted that
"with the impediment of the restoration of the judges now cleared
away we may be able to travel a little further along the road to
democratic maturity." Likewise, the liberal Urdu daily, "Express,"
observed that "if the parties let go of this bitterness, there is no
reason why the nation cannot have the same cordial atmosphere we saw
at the start of the democratic process." The Lahore-based liberal
daily, "Daily Times," opined that Pakistan is "today facing not only
terrorism but also charges of terrorism. Will the politicians choose
to come together and use the parliament to strengthen Pakistan
instead of weakening it?" End Summary.

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News Stories
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"Iftikhar, 4 Other SC Judges To Return On 22nd" "Dawn" (03/18)

"The government on Tuesday notified reinstatement of deposed Chief
Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and 10 other judges of superior
courts through two notifications, erasing lingering doubts about its
intention."

"Problem Exists Despite Resolution Of Crisis: Holbrooke" "Dawn"
(03/18)

"... The Washington Post quoted U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan
and Pakistan as warning that while the resolution of the judicial
dispute prevented a political meltdown in Pakistan, the underlying
problem still existed, said Mr. Holbrooke who played a key role in
defusing the situation. The Post also quoted another senior State
Department official as saying that the Obama administration
'understood from the beginning that the current government is not
wildly popular.' Other U.S. officials told The New York Times that
the Obama administration was reconsidering the hostile U.S. attitude
towards Mr. Sharif."

"U.S. Media Lauds Pakistani Leadership" "Dawn" (03/18)

"One encouraging sign for Washington was the role played in the
crisis by Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who let President
Zardari know that he could not rely on soldiers to confront the
protesters who were threatening to descend on Islamabad to demand
the return of Chief Justice Chaudhry, the New York Times observed on
Tuesday."

"British Media Hails Reinstatement" "Dawn" (03/18)

"The mainstream British media has welcomed the reinstatement of
Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and praised what is called
the political sagacity of the Zardari administration for stepping
back from the brink."

"U.S. Not Telling Pakistan How To Settle Punjab Dispute" "Dawn"
(03/18)

"The U.S. State Department has said that Washington is not going to
tell Pakistani politicians how to end the Governor's rule in Punjab
or to revoke the disqualification order against the Sharif brothers.
'Well, look, that's the decision that's going to be left to
Pakistani authorities,' said spokesman Robert Wood."
"Pentagon Pledges Anti-terror Support To Pakistan" "The News"
(03/18)

"The Pentagon and the State Department officials expressed
appreciation for the Pakistani leaders efforts to avert crisis in a
reconciliatory manner and reaffirmed the Barack Obama
administration's resolve to help Pakistan with its anti-terrorism
fight."

"Patterson Calls Gilani" "Daily Times," "Pakistan Observer" (03/18)

"U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson Tuesday talked to
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani by telephone. According to a
government statement, Patterson conveyed her government's
felicitations for peaceful resolution of the political impasse and
the reinstatement of the sacked judges."

"Governor's Rule To End Soon: PM" "Dawn" (03/18)

"Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday hiss government
was working to end governors' rule in Punjab. 'I am against
governor's rule (in Punjab) and it is the government's top priority
to end it as soon as possible,' he told reporters in Islamabad."

"U.S. Aid For Pakistan To Remain Unaffected: Haqqani" "The News"
(03/18)

"Ambassador to the U.S. Husain Haqqani on Tuesday hoped that the
U.S. assistance for his country would remain unaffected by the
domestic political developments, as the American support was aimed
at the uplift of the people and the stability of Pakistan. He said
this while commenting on a story that appeared in The Washington
Post on Tuesday that claimed that the recent political turmoil over
judges' restoration could upend the Obama administration's
near-completion plan for expansion in economic and security aid for
Pakistan."

"Regular Courts Stop Functioning In Swat" "Dawn" (03/18)

"Courts in the Swat Valley stopped functioning on Tuesday after
Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-i-Muhammadi Chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad said
that these courts were against Sharia and their continued
functioning would be a violation of the agreement signed by the
Provincial Government."

"Pakistan Not Satisfied With Indian Response" "Dawn" (03/18)

"Pakistan is not satisfied with the information and answers to its
questions provided by India about the Mumbai attacks, including DNA
test reports of the lone-surviving attacker, Ajmal Kasab, and other
seven terrorists. 'We have gone through the 400-page document
provided by India, but it does not meet our requirements,' a senior
official of the Interior Ministry who did not want to be named told
'Dawn.'"

"India Calls For Quick Action Against Mumbai Attack Culprits" "Dawn"
(03/18)

"India reaffirmed on Tuesday that it had replied to 30 questions
posed by Pakistan pertaining to the dossier on the Mumbai terror
attacks and said it expected Islamabad to bring the culprits to book
sooner rather than later, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon told
reporters in New Delhi."

"U.S. Approves $2 Billion Arms Deal With India" "Dawn" (03/18)

"The United States has approved the sale to India of eight Boeing
anti-submarine aircraft, a 2.1 billion dollar transaction which
would be the largest ever sale of U.S. arms to India, the State
Department said on Tuesday."

"U.S. Drone Violate Pakistani Airspace" "The News" (03/18)

"U.S. drones intruded into Pakistani airspace on Tuesday and
continued hovering in South and North Waziristan, Kurram and Orakzai
agencies, tribal sources told 'The News' from Wana."

"Rao Qamar Assumes Command Of PAF Today" "The News" (03/18)

"New Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman will
take over command of the Pakistan air Force (PAF) today (Wednesday).
He succeeds the outgoing Air Chief ACM Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed."

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

"Right Face," an editorial in the centrist national English daily
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/18)

"With the impediment of the restoration of the judges now cleared
away we may be able to travel a little further along the road to
democratic maturity.... The judges issue could and should have been
resolved months ago. It has served as a distraction from bigger
business - business that now needs attending to without delay."

"Solution To All Problems: Implementation Of Charter Of Democracy,"
an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (03/18)


"Recent developments had created a rift between the two parties,
tones had become harsh and they were expressing dislike for each
other. However, the decision to reinstate judges has changed the
situation a great deal. If the parties let go of this bitterness,
there is no reason why the nation cannot have the same cordial
atmosphere we saw at the start of the democratic process."

"Back To The Business Of Terrorism," an editorial in the
Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir.
10,000) (03/18)

"Because of politicization of terrorism, Pakistan has lost both face
and faith in the world community. It is today facing not only
terrorism but also charges of terrorism. Will the politicians
choose to come together and use the Parliament to strengthen
Pakistan instead of weakening it?"

"The Army's Role," an editorial in the center-right national English
daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (03/18)

"A simple chronology of the crisis shows that the Chief of Army
Staff did not intervene once, but several times, in what was
essentially a political matter, which should have been settled
between politicians.... No doubt, spectators are uncomfortable, and
this role sits ill on those trained to be men of action. But
constitutional rule requires that state institutions should obey,
and not be as anxious to save the state as our military professes
itself to be."

"Need For Healing Touch," an editorial in the center-right national
English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (03/18)

"Our foreign friends, whose major focus is to eliminate the Taliban
and Al Qaeda presence in our tribal belt, now realize that political
stability is a precondition. But despite this main concern that
makes the allocation of funds absolutely necessary, they have
threatened that unless the two quarrelling political parties come to
an understanding and create stable conditions, they would withhold
the monetary assistance. It is time our leaders listen to such
voices coming out both from home and abroad."

"Fix The Structure," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (03/18)

"But now that the decks have been cleared - Gen. Musharraf is gone,
Chief Justice Chaudhry is to be restored, the Senate elections have
been held and the threat of street agitation has receded - the
politicians must immediately address the structural issues.... If
we are ever to get out of the rut of instability, the rules
governing the system must be reset. Now is the chance. Allow it to
slip by, and the country is guaranteed to suffer again."

"Need For A Better Start," an editorial in Hyderabad based Sindhi
Daily "Kawish" (cir. 105,000) (03/18)

"With the restoration of the deposed judges, political tensions must
be reduced. The elected government besides waging war against
terrorism must work for the elimination of poverty, hunger,
unemployment and inflation."
"Chapter Of NRO Closed," an editorial in the Karachi-based
right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000)
(03/18)

"By restoring the judiciary, the PPP government has saved its
declining credibility, although for the time being. It is a fact
that the U.S., Britain and the Pak Army exerted their clout to
arrive at this decision."

"Nation's Expectations After The Long March's Success," an editorial
in the Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain"
(cir. 50,000) (03/18)

"There is a need to make powerful individuals and institutions
realize that the nation has pinned great hopes on the 'system.'...
Hence these hopes must be fulfilled while remaining within the
bounds of law and constitution. Wherever there is a concentration of
power -- negating the spirit of democracy -- it must be shifted to
the institutions."

"Judges Restored, What Next?," an editorial in the country's premier
business newspaper, "Business Recorder" (cir. 25,000) (03/18)

"The Government of Pakistan has taken a loan from Asian Development
Bank for judicial reforms. The objective was to bring transparency
through induction of technology in fixing of court cases. Not only
do judges need re-training, the judicial system needs re-tooling....
It should not be forgotten that but for the corrupt and inefficient
judicial officers in Swat, the people there would not have endorsed
Sufi Mohammad's justification for the Qazi courts."

"Struggle To Stabilize Institutions Also Required," an editorial in
the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir.
300,000) (03/18)

"People of Pakistan want immediate justice to redress their
grievances, and perhaps that is the reason behind the overwhelming
partaking of a large number of people in the restoration of the
judges' drive. The popular support for Taliban in Swat is also an
expression of this aspiration for justice. Conceivably that is why
the government has introduced the 'Nizam-i-Adl' in those areas, and
has setup 'Qazi' courts. Now we will have to see whether this system
works under the government's jurisdiction, and to what extent it
delivers real justice to the local community."

"Taliban Courts?," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left
independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (03/18)

"Islamabad claims that judges and magistrates will head the Qazi
Courts in Swat. Sufi Mohammad says that they must stop attending
office. So who will preside over these 'Courts'? The Taliban?
Representatives of Sufi Mohammad and his son-in-law Fazlullah? What
sort of justice will they dole out? Will these 'Judges' abide by
the laws of jurisprudence, of whatever ilk, or pass judgment in
accordance with their personal likes and dislikes or individual view
of morality? Will petty thieves have their hands chopped off? Will
women be taken to these 'Courts' if they dare to venture out of
their homes? The state has some answering to do. The people of
Pakistan need to know if the government is upholding the rule of law
or sanctioning a descent into the medieval age."

"The Victory: Myth, Reality And The Future," an op-ed by Nasim Zehra
in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000)
(03/18)

"As Nawaz Sharif's street following became evident closer to March
10 the shuttling of the U.S. Ambassador and calls from Washington
too began focusing on avoiding the March 16 confrontation. The
Americans who reportedly earlier would ask perceptive
Islamabad-based politicians what if the president fires Gilani and
that Nawaz Sharif doesn't have too much street support, were
concerned about imminent violence on the streets of Pakistan.
Washington, like the GHQ, had no prescriptions. As the D-Day
approached they had recognized that the only solution was what the
two years of determined and unshakable struggle of the lawyers had
spelled out -- restoration of the November 2, 2007, judiciary."

"A Victory For The Nation And For Justice," an op-ed by Shireen M.
Mazari in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir.
55,000) (03/18)

"There are still many challenges confronting this nation - not only
in the judicial context but also on many fronts. We still have to
fight the continuing destabilization of the country by the US with
its killings in FATA. We still have a problem of terrorism that has
changed qualitatively as a direct result of our state's alliance
with the U.S. in its military agenda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
There is the evil of religious extremism that is eroding at the
tolerant Islamic ethos of traditional Pakistan on the one hand, and
the growing extremism of the westernized elite on the other, both
reducing the space for moderates and acceptance of 'the other.'"

"Light At The End Of The Tunnel?," an op-ed by Hajrah Mumtaz in the
Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn"
(cir. 55,000) (03/18)

"Monday's resolution of the chief Justice affair was forced or
facilitated by Gen. Kayani on the one hand, and U.S./U.K. pressure
on the other.... The success of peaceful demonstration has great
value for Pakistan given that various elements are increasingly
turning to militancy. The so-called gun culture is a reality in
Pakistan and history has tended to teach a frustrated citizenry that
peaceful protest is an exercise in futility."

"Enemy Of Internal Stability," an editorial in the Karachi-based
center-right sensationalist Urdu daily "Ummat" (cir. 33,000)
(03/18)

"At a time when every Pakistani is rejoicing the reinstatement of
the judges, a bomb rocked a locality of Rawalpindi that killed 14
people. Who is responsible for this act of terrorism, which clearly
aims to undermine the internal stability of the country? It seems
that our enemy wants to alienate our people from the democratic
government of a nuclear-power Muslim country. And their agenda is
to undermine Pakistan, and to achieve this objective not only the
U.S. but also India and Israel have been supporting these
mercenaries."

"Rawalpindi Suicide Attack: An Attempt To Sabotage The Peace
Process," an editorial in liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir.
100,000) (03/18)

"Now that the judges issue has been resolved, PPP and PML-Nawaz must
cooperate with each other because the speed with which the plague of
terrorism is spreading in the country demands that we strengthen the
country [so terrorism can be controlled]."

"Small Mercies," an editorial in the centrist national English daily
"The News" (cir. 55,000) (03/18)

"We are fortunate that the worst did not happen. But we must not
forget that the need to regain control over the security situation
in the country is greater than ever. The expansion of terrorism
seen over the past decade also means it is possible to use it when
needed to cover up other acts.... The terrorism we encounter from
week to week, from month to month, must be stopped."

"Another Suicide Attack," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal
English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (03/18)

"Understandably, a clear link can be established between the U.S.
strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas and the occurrence of suicide
bombings in the settled areas. The drone attacks have resulted in
intensifying suicide attacks against security personnel and inside
the settled areas of the country."

"Why Mullah Umar Will Not Talk," an editorial in the Lahore-based
liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (03/18)

"Needless to say, the 'eastern' mind was not properly understood:
the eastern or tribal man doesn't 'talk' when it gets the upper
hand; it wants to go for the kill and demands total surrender."
Patterson