PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: April 23, 2009

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000856 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: April 23, 2009 Summary: Secretary of State Clinton's remarks that the "Pakistan government is basically abdicating to the Taliban and to the extremists" and Pakistan "poses a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world" dominated headlines in almost all newspapers on Thursday. Newspapers highlighted Interior Advisor Malik's statement that "Russia and India were supporting Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) for Balochistan secession bid." All newspapers front-paged Senator Kerry's statement that the "Obama administration does not seem to have 'a real strategy' for Pakistan." Remarks attributed to Army Chief General Kayani that he made during his meeting with the visiting U.S. Admiral Mullen that "U.S. should stop drone attacks forthwith as these attacks were taking us away from objectives of war" received prominent display. Some major dailies also reported that President Obama invited President Zardari and President Karzai to White House early next month "to remove misunderstandings between the two neighboring countries." Most major dailies continued to run editorials on the growing extremist threat in the country and its ominous consequences. Commenting on the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif's views against Taliban, the prestigious English language daily, "Dawn," cautioned that the "time in which to back the tide is fast running out. It is of vital importance that other political leaders and parties recognize the threat posed by the Taliban and their expansionist agenda." The center-right Urdu daily, "Pakistan," noted that "Maulana Sufi Mohammad had taken the responsibility for disarming the Taliban, but the views he is expressing now and the acts being carried out by the Taliban [in Swat and Buner] show that he is evading this responsibility." The Lahore-based liberal daily, "Daily Times," observed that "it is the army that has to step forward and face the Taliban. It has baulked so far because of adverse public opinion and an equal lethal media tilt." End Summary. -------------- News Stories -------------- "Pakistan Giving Up To Militants: Hillary" "Dawn" (04/23) "US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday she believed the Pakistani government was abdicating to the Taliban and other militants. In a testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mrs Clinton warned that nuclear-armed Pakistan was becoming a 'mortal threat' to the world." "Russia, India Supporting BLA, Malik Tells Senate" "The News" (04/23) "The government on Wednesday startled the Senate by saying that Russia and India were supporting the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in its secession bid, saying the same outfit had kidnapped UNHCR official John Solecki." "US 'Af-Pak' Strategy Inadequate: Kerry" "Dawn" (04/23) "US Senator John Kerry, who returned from a visit to Islamabad earlier this week, has said that the Obama administration does not seem to have 'a real strategy' for Pakistan. In an interview with USA Today, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said the Obama administration's plan for that volatile country, rolled out last month with great fanfare, 'is not a real strategy.' "Mullen Calls On Kyani" "The News" (04/23) "Visiting US chairman Joint Chief Of Staff Mike Mullen Wednesday held an important meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani and voiced grave concern over growing activities of Taliban and Al-Qaeda that both U.S. and Pakistan would have to fight together against extremists. Gen. Ashfaq Kayani while reiterating determination to attach more importance to security of the country during war against terrorists said U.S. should stop drone attacks forthwith as these attacks were taking us away from objectives of war." "Zardari, Karzai Invited To White House" "Dawn" (04/23) "US President Barack Obama has invited his counterparts from Pakistan and Afghanistan to the White House early next month to remove misunderstandings between the two neighboring countries, a US official told reporters on Wednesday." "Terrorism Not India Greatest Threat To Pakistan" Petraeus" "The News" (04/23) "The greatest threat facing Pakistan comes from terrorism not India, US Army General David Petraeus said as he called on the government in Islamabad to change its mindset towards its neighbor." "US Concerned Over Taliban Expansion, Says State Dept" "Daily Times" (04/23) "The United States is concerned by the expansion of the Taliban in Pakistan, a senior State Department official told AFP on Wednesday. 'This latest move is of concern to us,' the official told AFP on the condition of anonymity. 'But we continue to work with the government of Pakistan to counter Taliban and other violent extremists operating in both Pakistan and Afghanistan,' the official added." "US Wants To Share With Pakistan Army Tactics Honed In Iraq, Afghanistan'" "Dawn" (04/23) "The United States wants to substantially increase its ties with the Pakistani military to help Islamabad combat the militants, a senior US official said on Tuesday. 'We need to substantially increase our military assistance and broaden the form,' Michhle Flournoy, U.S. under-secretary of defense for policy, told a seminar in Washington." "Aid Package Likely To Be Without Tough Conditions" "Dawn" (04/23) "The multi-billion US aid package for Pakistan is likely to be without the harsh and derogatory conditions earlier feared, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. "I don't think that we are going to see very harsh conditions," a senior diplomat said." "PML-N Calls For Review Of Swat Agreement" "Dawn" (04/23) "In an apparent policy shift, the Pakistan Muslim League-N told the National Assembly on Wednesday that a controversial peace deal with the Swat valley militants must be reviewed, while a key government ally seemed justifying the Taliban's push in the area by calling for Pakistan's withdrawal from the international anti-terror coalition." "PM Says Govt May Revisit Nizam-I-Adl Accord" "Dawn" (04/23) "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said the government may revisit the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation signed with TNSM chief Sufi Mohammad if peace is not restored in the Malakand division." "Owais Warns Swat Peace Saboteurs Of Stern Action" "The News" (04/23) "Expressing concern over the situation emerging in the wake of the Swat peace deal, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani on Wednesday said those bent upon sabotaging implementation of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in Malakand Division would be dealt with an iron hand. The government is committed to enforcing Nizam-e-Adl Regulation. However, the growing incidents of kidnapping, looting and carjacking in Swat and its adjoining districts will not be tolerated," a handout quoted the governor as saying." "Courts Stop Functioning In Buner" "Dawn" (04/23) "Regular courts stopped functioning here on Wednesday after judicial officers went on leave for an indefinite period in compliance with directives of the Peshawar High Court." "Taliban Lower Profile" "Dawn" (04/23) "The terrorized people of Mingora were bewildered on Wednesday to see the Taliban discontinue patrols, dismantling roadblocks and withdraw to their previous positions. A spokesman said that the chief of the Swat Taliban Maulana Fazlullah, had ordered his men to abandon several check posts on main roads." "Taliban Nearing Islamabad, Warns Fazl" "The News" (04/23) "JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday made the startling disclosure on the floor of the National Assembly that the Taliban had reached near Mansehra and might soon reach Tarbela Dam. 'If the Taliban continue to move at this pace, they will soon be knocking at the doors of Islamabad as the Margala Hills seem to be the only hurdle in their march towards the federal capital,' warned the JUI-F chief while taking part in the debate on the presidential address to parliament." "Tribal Commander Asks Militants To Leave Darra." "The News" (04/23) "A tribal commander on Wednesday asked the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants to leave the area within 24 hours or face the consequences. Sources said pamphlets had been distributed in the main bazaar of Darra Adamkhel, saying that a group of about 300 fighters of different areas of Darra Adamkhel had been formed under the leadership of Momin Khan Afridi." "Taliban Will Stay In Buner Until Nizam-e-Adl Implementation: TTP" "Daily Times" (04/23) "The Taliban have said they will not leave Buner until the Nizam-e-Adl was implemented in Malakand division. "The Taliban will leave Buner after enforcement of the Nizam-e-Adl," Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Muslim Khan told AFP from Swat. 'The government writ is not being challenged' in Buner and the Taliban were not creating problems for the administration there, he said" "Residents Asked To Leave Orakzai Agency" "Daily Times" (04/23) "Orakzai Agency residents have been warned to leave the area before a major military offensive against the Taliban, as army gunship helicopters and air force jets pounded the Taliban's positions in the tribal agency on Wednesday, witnesses and officials said." "UK Asked To Apologize To Pak Students" "The News" (04/23) "Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Kyles, to the Foreign Office and told him that an apology to the 11 Pakistani students and their families was in order, after the false charges of terrorism could not be proven against them. It also urged Great Britain to immediately free the boys and allow them to complete their education." -------------- Editorials/Op-eds -------------- "Too Little, Too Late?," an editorial in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/23) "Not withstanding Mr Sharif's and his party's traditional alignment with the religious right, the belated recognition that the TTP's maneuverings constitute a serious danger to the nation's sovereignty must be appreciated . . . time in which to back the tide is fast running out. It is of vital importance that other political leaders and parties recognize the threat posed by the Taliban and their expansionist agenda. . . The Taliban are using the banner of religion to mask their agenda for control of the country. That agenda, and their methods, must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and opposed through every means possible." "Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, Nawaz Sharif's Reservations, Maulana Sufi's Aggressive stance," an editorial in the second-largest, center-right nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 125,000) (04/23) "No Muslim can object to the implementation of the Shariat of Prophet Muhammad nor express reservations over it if that is the Shariat Sufi Muhammad wants. However, if in the name of Shariat, Sufi Muhammad wants to impose his own brand of it and adopts an aggressive stand, neither will his wish be fulfilled, nor will he be permitted to fulfill it...." "Mian Nawaz Sharif's Views On The National Situation," an editorial in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/23) "Adopting a bold and courageous stance, Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik has said that strong action will be taken if the Nizam-i-Adl is not implemented, and said that the Taliban must abide by the deal with the provincial government. These views by Mr Malik are similar to Mian Nawaz Sharif's views that the militants must be stopped. The government must also pay heed to Mian Nawaz Sharif's statement that extremism in Swat and border areas can be eliminated through economic development.... Mian Nawaz Sharif is also 100 percent right in saying that drone attacks are fanning extremism." "Nawaz Comes Out Of The Closet," an editorial in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23) ". . . Sharif's change of tune over the Taliban is clearly an attempt to dispel the western suspicion that he is a closet extremist at heart. The break with the ambivalence of the past will strengthen the hands of those who have called for a broad national consensus to face the extremist threat. After all, the PML-N is the second largest party in the country and has a massive support base in Punjab. Nawaz Sharif's belated decision to come off the fence could be a sign that important sections of the population have finally decided to come out of denial mode and accept that the extremists are indeed knocking at the door." "Worrisome Situation In Swat," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/23) "Maulana Sufi Muhammad and those who call themselves the Taliban must understand that if the issues are not resolved through talks, then using the other option would become inevitable. Under the peace deal, Maulana Sufi Muhammad had taken the responsibility for disarming the Taliban but the views he is expressing now and the acts being carried out by the Taliban [in Swat and Buner] show that he is evading this responsibility." "The Army Must Face Up To Taliban," an editorial in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/23) "The majority opinion . . . is now shifting away from a pro-Taliban stance and conceding that Pakistan might have to fight them as Pakistan's own war after all.... It is the army that has to step forward and face the Taliban. It has baulked so far because of adverse public opinion and an equally lethal media tilt..... However, if this is not done, the people will have to fight the war on their own.... Swat is the challenge staring us in the face. If we don't accept it and fight the Taliban, then the world will have to come and fight it the way it thinks fit." "Adl Regulation and American Reservations," an editorial in the Urdu daily "Waqt" (cir. 5000) (04/23) "No good can come out of threats and demands by some Taliban elements. We need not remind Sufi Muhammad that the Holy Quran says that 'There is no compulsion in religion." This latest turn of events has forced even Mian Nawaz Sharif to say that the Taliban want control of other areas in addition to Swat and Malakand." "Respect Peace Accord," an editorial in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/23) ". . . The government has to abide by the deal. On the other hand the Swat TTP and TNSM have to fulfill their obligations. Rants against democracy and constitution have to end. Security personnel abducted from various areas in Swat on Monday have to be urgently released. There are disturbing reports from adjoining Buner regarding Taliban of Afghan origin, having taken over local administration. They have avowedly taken forcible possession of private homes and vehicles. Actions of the sort constitute violations of the accord and have to be stopped. Peace in Swat has to be maintained at all costs." "Both Government and TNSM Must Implement Peace Deal," an editorial note in the Karachi-based, pro Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (04/23) "Both the government and the Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat-i- Muhammadi (TNSM) must fulfill their responsibilities pertaining to the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, and no party should evade it in any case. If the government has brokered this deal in the face of strong internal and external resistance, it should demonstrate seriousness to implement the deal unreservedly. Likewise, TNSM must also refrain from taking solo-flight, and develop a framework about the Islamic laws in collaboration with all eminent learned scholars, reputed religious leaders and national political parties of the country." "The Lines Are Drawn," an op-ed by Ikram Sehgal in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23) ". . . On the issue of who is to exercise power in Swat, the TSNM and the Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are daggers drawn, in not accepting the rule of law in Pakistan they are one and same. Over TV and radio, the spokesman for the TTP in Swat, Muslim Khan, made no bones about the Taliban stance: (1) no laying down of arms; (2) enforcement of their version of Nizam-e-Adl to be extended to the settled areas of Pakistan; and (3) of not recognizing the Constitution of Pakistan. If this precedent prevails, with what logic can we refute and oppose nationalist and ethnic forces in other areas of Pakistan from doing the same? Urgent and effective remedial measures are needed, political, economic and military, and not necessarily in that order, to stop this 'class war' with religious overtones from spreading further." "Pakistan At The Precipice," an op-ed by Dr Akmal Hussain in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (04/23) "The events in Swat fit a pattern of strategy that is slowly being unveiled. Only time will tell whether the Swat deal will give 'peace in our time' as Chamberlain put it or will constitute what Churchill called the 'end of the beginning.' For many Pakistanis who are now leaving the country, this is the beginning of the end. It is time for the government, the military and the people of Pakistan to grasp the significance of the historic speech by Sufi Muhammad." "Stop the Pakistani Taliban From Becoming Al Qaeda," an editorial in the Lahore-based independent Urdu daily "Din" (04/23) "It seems as if the government and the state institutions have vowed not to do anything except cry 'Taliban, Taliban.' The speed expected by the nation in decision-making is not visible. At the time of signing the deal with Sufi Muhammad's TNFM, we were told that Sufi Muhammad is not linked to Taliban groups that are a source of concern for the U.S. and the international community and that he only wants implementation of the part of Shariah that deals with justice. However after the implementation of the Nizam-i-Adl regulation, the tone being adopted by Sufi Muhammad and his spokesmen is the same as was adopted by Usama Bin Laden, Aiman Al Zawahiri, Mullah Umar and other Al Qaeda/ Taliban leaders. This tone has led even those political and social groups to distance themselves from the TNFM that had earlier supported its demands...." "Foreign Apprehensions And The PM's Clear Stance," an editorial in the independent Urdu daily "Din" (cir. 5000) (04/22) "Soon after assuming charge of his responsibilities, Prime Minister Gilani had made it clear to the U.S. and the western world that he will not be compelled to take dictation from any foreign power in resolving the country's domestic problems. There are very few politicians whose deeds match their words; PM Gilani has proven that he says only what he intends to do." "Swat: PM's Suggestion to the U.S.," an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (04/22) "We fully support the deal between the NWFP government and Maulana Sufi Muhammad for the establishment of peace in Swat and Malakand... However, we would like to request Maulana Sufi Muhammad to avoid extremism in expressing his views... In the current emotionally charged atmosphere, we feel that responding to Sufi Muhammad's remarks in the same tone [as was done in the Senate] will only create more problems and resolve nothing... The PM's suggestion is right on the spot, that the U.S. need not worry about Swat, Pakistan will, God willing, resolve this issue itself." "Security Is The Real Issue," an op-ed by I.A. Rehman in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (04/23) "...Today, all efforts must be concentrated on the issue of security - security of the state, all Muslim sects, women and of the ordinary Pakistani who only wishes to feed his child. The whirlwind that has already ravaged the Fata and Malakand Division is unlikely to allow the politicians in Islamabad and Lahore time to quibble over comas and full stops in the constitutional text. Besides the state's integrity and the democratic system, cultures of all the communities in Pakistan's federating units, the gains achieved after decades of pursuit of modern knowledge, all of our arts and literature, indeed the entire future of our children are at stake. At the moment nothing is more urgent than mobilization of the instruments of state power and people's energies to thwart the northern hordes' drive to turn Pakistan into a forbidding wasteland." "Test Of Politicians, Democratic System, Parliament And Judiciary," an editorial in the leading mass circulation centrist Urdu daily "Jang" (cir. 300,000) (04/23) "It is surprising that the standard-bearers of Islamic laws are determined to raze the sovereignty, and defy the writ of the most important Islamic country of the world, Pakistan, which is already a target of anti-Islam forces. Its constitution already guarantees that there will be no law contrary to the Islamic injunctions. And to achieve this objective, several constitutional institutions such as the Islamic Ideology Council, Federal Shariat Court and the National Ombudsman are functioning in the country. The menace of militancy and extremism is a test case for our political system, democracy and the Parliament, and triumph in this test will guarantee the existence of this country." "Faltering Us Strategy," an op-ed by Masood Sharif Khan Khattak in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23) "...If the US faces a setback in Pakistan like it did in Iran in 1979 it may never be able to stage a diplomatic comeback because the regional power dynamics of the area would have changed dramatically. The US should, therefore, sincerely befriend the people of Pakistan wholeheartedly rather than toy with its internal political dynamics." "Holbrooke's Hard-Headed Critique," an op-ed by I. M. Mohsinin the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (04/23) "President Obama is trying hard to salvage U.S.' honor through 'soft power' along with some hangover of the gung-ho tactics of his predecessor. ... Obama appears to be well-meaning but peace will come if he can defy 'special interests' influencing U.S. policy and win concord/friendship among the oppressed Muslims whose majority is still moderate." "Prepare For The War," an op-ed by Zafar Hilaly in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23) ". . . To defeat one devil we should be prepared to sup with another. Talk of sovereignty, hidden U.S./Israeli/Indian conspiracies to defang/break up Pakistan is just so much idle prattle. Anyway, if the Taliban win the U.S. will not need to 'conspire to set the stage for their intervention' they will have a ready made excuse. The war effort must be a national effort in which the entire population and every segment of society plays their assigned roles in the fight against the enemy and not, as at present, to leave matters to a weak, demoralized and underpaid police and overextended rangers while the army is ensconced in its bunkers on the Line of Control looking over its shoulder passively as large swathes of the country fall to the enemy." "Enemies To The East," an op-ed by Kamila Hyat in the centrist national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (04/23) "... The country's president has warned the world that terrorists based in Pakistan threaten everyone. He has not said how this threat is to be tackled. But answers have to be found. The only option for Pakistan is to break free of the militant grip, focus on building a new relationship with India and realize the only hope for a brighter future lies in building regional harmony rather than in waging war." "Recommendations for Balochistan" an editorial in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 100,000) (04/23) "Balochistan is an issue requiring resolution for a long time. There should be a debate on the recommendations and it should be decided how many of these are workable. We feel that a debate on these points would go a long way in putting out the flames in Balochistan." "Truth shared by Iranian President," an editorial in the Karachi-based right-wing pro-Jamaat-e-Islami Urdu daily "Jasarat" (cir. 3,000) (04/22) "Iranian President's remarks irked the western delegates at the UN conference in Geneva on the issue of racism and discrimination. What was wrong or objectionable in his remarks, as he was presenting historical facts and figures? Will someone remind the West that the killings of Muslims in Bosnia and Kashmir also come in the purview of racism? It is strange to accuse Iranian president for disrupting the conference; instead the western delegates must have stayed in the conference to know the facts in order to get rid of the racial discrimination." Feierstein