PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: January 20, 2010

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000137

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: January 20, 2010

Summary: Coverage of the Supreme Court's detailed judgment on the
National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO),which declared the
ordinance "discriminatory and un-Islamic," dominated front-pages of
all major newspapers on Wednesday morning. Defense Secretary Gates'
statement that, if asked, the U.S. is ready to help improve Indo-Pak
relations received prominent display in papers. Several major
newspapers reported Senator McCain's comments to Fox News that
President Zardari "is on shaky ground because of a loss of immunity"
and that Prime Minister Gilani is "very pro-American." The issue of
enhanced screening measures at U.S. airports continued to garner
media coverage with reports that Pakistani lawmakers in the Senate
have demanded reciprocal screening of American citizens in Pakistan,
and that State Minister for Foreign Affairs Amad Khan has assured
the upper house that the GOP is taking up the issue with the United
States. Newspapers also reported a drone attack in North Waziristan
that killed six people. Interior Minister Malik's praise for U.S.
police trainers and his assurance to provide an "alternative
location to U.S. trainers working in Sihala" received extensive
coverage. Several dailies reported that the U.S. will provide
funding for Peshawar Press Club renovations. All major newspapers
reported proceedings of the case of Dr. Aafia, highlighting that she
"yelled" at a prosecution witness. The Nation continued its
conspiratorial slant, publishing two pieces by editor Shireen
Mazari, alleging collaboration between the U.S. and India to
destabilize Pakistan. In the piece "A two-front threat emerging for
Pakistan," Dr Mazari links Indian military cross-border fire to
Special Representative Holbrooke and Secretary Gates' meetings with
Indian officials. Her editorial, "A dangerous connectivity," alleges
that the U.S. is trying to undermine energy development in Pakistan
and destabilize the country by supporting a greater role for India
in Afghanistan. End Summary.

TOP STORIES

News Story: NRO Discriminatory, Un-Islamic: SC - "Dawn" (01/20)

"The Supreme Court released on Tuesday its detailed judgment on
petitions against the controversial National Reconciliation
Ordinance. No law could be made which perpetuated corruption and
corrupt practices, instead of eliminating exploitation of the
citizens, declared the judgment authored by Chief Justice Iftikhar
Mohammed Chaudhry."

News Story: Detailed Judgment On NRO Issued: Criminal Cases Can't Be
Withdrawn In The Name Of Reconciliation: SC - "Daily Times" (01/20)

"In its detailed judgment on Tuesday, the Supreme Court held that
criminal cases could not be withdrawn in the name of reconciliation
as it declared the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) never to
have existed and against the constitution."

News Story: US Ready To Help Improve Indo-Pak Relations: Gates,
Defence Secretary Says Both Sides Prefer Dealing With Their
Differences Bilaterally - "Daily Times" (01/20)

"The United States will be happy to work towards improving
India-Pakistan relations, if asked, US Defence Secretary Robert
Gates said on Tuesday. However, flying to New Delhi, the US defence
secretary told reporters that the US would like to help India and
Pakistan focus less on each other and more on the terrorism threat,
but the two countries prefer to settle their differences
themselves."

News Story: Gates Praises India's 'Restraint' After Mumbai Attacks
- "Dawn" (01/20)

"US Defence Secretary Robert Gates began a visit to India on Tuesday
and praised India's restraint and statesmanship following the 2008
Mumbai attacks and remarked at how both India and Pakistan have kept
tensions at a 'manageable level'."

News Story: Gates Arriving Tomorrow - "Daily Times" (01/20)

"US Defence Secretary Robert Gates will be arriving in Pakistan
tomorrow (Thursday),the last stop on his visit to the region.
Matters relating to the ongoing efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and
rising tensions between Pakistan and India are likely to be
discussed when Gates meets the country's top leadership."

News Story: Zardari On Shaky Ground, Says McCain After Meeting -
"The News" (01/20)

"President Asif Zardari is on shaky grounds, Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani is pro-US and Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is
doing well in taking military action against terrorists, a top
Republican senator said on Tuesday. 'Pakistan is doing much better.
The president of Pakistan is on shaky ground because of a loss of
immunity that has been enacted by parliament. The prime minister is,
I think, also very pro-US,' Senator John McCain told the Fox News in
an interview."

News Story: U.S. Supports Restoration of Press Club - "The News",
"Daily Times", "Pakistan" (01/20)

"U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson today announced a
grant to the Government of Pakistan to repair damages and provide
security upgrades at the Peshawar Press Club, following the December
22 terrorist attack on the facility."

TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES

News Story: US Drone Strike Kills Six In N. Waziristan- "Dawn"
(01/20)

"US drone missile attack Tuesday killed at least six suspected
militants in the 11th such strike targeting Pakistan's northwest
Taliban stronghold this month, intelligence officials said."

News Story: Senators Demand Reciprocal Screening Of US Citizens
-"Daily Times", "The News" (01/20)

"Lawmakers in the Senate on Tuesday criticized the US over the
recently announced screening guidelines by the US Department of
Homeland Security regarding special scrutiny measures for Pakistani
passengers, demanding Islamabad put in place similar measures for US
nationals entering Pakistan."

News Story: US Trainers To Be Provided Alternate Location: Rehman
Malik - "The News" (01/20)

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday acknowledged the US
support for anti-terror training of Pakistan police officers and
pledged to soon provide alternate training location to foreign
experts working at Sihala. 'After successful US initiative;
Australian and French experts would also be arriving in the country
to impart modern terror-combat training to civilian law enforcement
agencies of Pakistan,' Malik told journalists at the parliament
house."

News Story: Two Soldiers Killed By Indian Firing Across Loc - "Dawn"
(01/20)

"Indian troops opened unprovoked firing from across the Line of
Control near Rawalakot in the Keller sector on Tuesday, killing two
soldiers. A spokesman for the Inter-Services Public Relations said
that one of the soldiers died on the spot and the other during
evacuation. He said the firing which started at 1:30 pm continued
for more than two hours."

News Story: US Formally Charges Aafia - "Dawn" (01/20)

"The United States formally charged Dr Aafia Siddiqui on Tuesday
with trying to kill a group of US soldiers and FBI agents at an
Afghan police compound in July 2008 with a rifle she had snatched
from a soldier. Dr Aafia's lawyer, however, rejected the charge,
saying that there's no evidence to support the claim."

News Story: Yells at Prosecution Witness, This is not a fair trial:
Dr. Aafia -"The Nation" (01/20)

"A U.S. trained Pakistani Scientist punctuated the first day of her
attempted murder trial Tuesday by shouting that the prosecution's
first witness was lying, prompting her to be pulled from the
courtroom, according to The Washington Post."

News Story: Troops Kill 21 Taliban In Swat, FATA - "Daily Times"
(01/20)

"Security forces on Tuesday killed at least 21 Taliban in various
clashes in Swat and FATA, while two soldiers were also martyred.
According to the ISPR, security forces exchanged fire with the
Taliban near Kunar Sar area in Admi Kot, Waziristan. They killed 10
Taliban and apprehended another five during a search operation,
while six Taliban were killed and five arrested in search operations
in various parts of Swat."

News Story: Terrorists Murder 2 ANP Workers In Buner - "Daily Times"
(01/20)

"Eight terrorists shot dead two Awami National Party (ANP) activists
in Pir Baba area of Buner district on Tuesday, sources said. The
sources told Daily Times that the terrorists abducted Union Council
Malakpur Secretary General Amin Khan and Sultan from the village of
Beshonai."

News Story: Govt For Ban On AQ's Movement - "The Nation" (01/20)

"Mr. Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday
issued notice to nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan on a Federal
government petition pleading for restraining the scientist from
giving media interviews and meeting people without security
clearance. Advocate Ahmar Bilal Soofi, on behalf of Federation of
Pakistan, submitted that AQ Khan should be prevented from giving
interviews, meeting people and moving around without security
clearance. The counsel also requested the court to order immediate
investigation into the claims by the author of Washington Post story
about Dr. Khan being in authorized communication with him."

News Story: 4 Foreigners Arrested From Chaman Area - "The Nation"
(01/20)

"Four suspected foreigners were arrested on Tuesday by security
forces from bordering area of Chaman while trying to enter into
Pakistan illegally. According to sources, on the basis of
intelligence reports, security forces impounded a vehicle at Boghra
Road of Chaman and arrested four foreigners. The security forces
also arrested driver who is a Pakistani national. The sources said
that they had entered into Pakistan illegally via bordering area of
Chaman. According to initial reports they were Iranian nationals and
trying to reach Quetta without having legal travelling documents."

POLITICAL ISSUES

News Story: Zardari Vows To Serve Masses, Face Challenges - "Daily
Times" (01/20)

"President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday vowed to serve the people of
Pakistan and face any and all challenges facing the nation. 'Those
who want to learn the politics of the masses and want to be like
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto should be ready to die like him as well... if
they want to be like Benazir Bhutto they should stand up like her
and face all challenges,' Zardari said while addressing the fourth
raffle draw of the Waseela-e-Haq programme at the Governor's
House."

News Story: NAB To Move Against Defaulters - "Dawn" (01/20)

"The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is preparing to bring to
book 60 defaulters of bank loans and recover Rs2 billion. According
to sources, the bureau has prepared a plan to recover the amount
which is likely to be approved by NAB's executive board next week."

News Story: Retrieve Money Hidden Abroad - "The News" (01/20)

"There are so many countries on whose demand, subject to
determination, the (looted and stolen) wealth of the nation was
reverted to those states, a clear reference to President Asif Ali
Zardari's alleged millions of dollars stashed abroad, the detailed
judgment of the 17-member full court on the National Reconciliation
Ordinance (NRO) released on Tuesday night said."

News Story: Premier Looks Like the Obvious Casualty In Judges Row-
"The News" (01/20)

"Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will become the scapegoat if
President Asif Ali Zardari blocks the appointments of judges in the
superior courts beyond the stipulated time or maneuvers his choice
appointments in violation of the Constitution or the Al-Jehad Trust
case. 'In case of the appointment of judges, the president is bound
to act on the advice of the prime minister, which means that any
violation of the Constitution or the Supreme Court's judgments would
be the responsibility of the prime minister,' former chief justice
Saeeduzzamman Siddiqi told The News on Tuesday."

News Story: Nearly 200 Die In Fresh Religious Clashes In Nigeria -
"Daily Times" (01/20)

"New clashes between Christians and Muslims in the Nigerian city of
Jos left nearly 200 dead, a senior Muslim cleric and a paramedic
said on Tuesday. State authorities placed the city under a 24-hour
curfew and terrified residents reported gunshots and smoke billowing
from parts of the Plateau State capital in central Nigeria. All
flights to the city were suspended, aviation sources said."


ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT

News Story: No Consensus On New Oil Pricing Formula - "Dawn"
(01/20)

"Talks between the government and the industry to work out a new oil
pricing formula remained inconclusive on Tuesday. However, there was
a clear indication that a relief for consumers is not possible in
the given situation."

News Story: Get Ready: Sugar To Cost Rs 100 Per Kg In June - "The
News" (01/20)

"An apparently well-calculated delayed response by related
government departments is poised to create another sugar crisis in
the country that may result in sugar prices shooting to an
unbelievable level of Rs 100 per kg by June this year, according to
various experts and informed officials."

MISCELLANEOUS

News Story: Pirzada Admits He Was Under US Intelligence Protection -
"The News" (01/20)

"When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sent to the gallows on April 4, 1979,
an important member of Gen Ziaul Haq's cabinet Syed Sharifuddin
Pirzada was lying unconscious in a New York hospital for heart
surgery where he had been admitted under a pseudo name Robert Brown.
As the military dictator had presided over the hanging of a great
leader in Pakistan, his top legal aide underwent a bypass operation
by a Hindu surgeon in the US, yet under the close watch of the US
intelligence. Before his admission to the hospital, the sidekick of
Zia was kept well guarded in the safe house of the American spy
agency."

News Story: French Minister In Scuffle With US Commander - "The
Nation" (01/20)

"France accused the US of "occupying" Haiti as thousands of American
troops flooded into the country to take charge of aid efforts and
security. The French Minister in charge of humanitarian relief in
Haiti, called on the UN to "clarify" the American role amid claims
the military buildup was hampering aid efforts in the quake-hit
country, one of the leading UK-based newspapers reported on
Monday."

EDITORIALS/OPINIONS

Editorial: A Dangerous Connectivity , an editorial in the
center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000)
(01/20)

"Presently, it is being said that the Holbrooke visit to this region
as well as the Gates visit from India to Pakistan is to pressure
Pakistan into accepting a more direct Indian role in Afghanistan -
to be suggested in London. There are a series of events unfolding,
seemingly delinked from each other, but in reality connecting to
form a larger picture which bodes ill for Pakistan. First, there is
the Pakistan-Iran relationship which is being undermined by US
pressure."

Opinion: A Two-Front Threat Emerging For Pakistan , an op-ed by
Shireen M Mazari in the center-right national English daily "The
Nation" (cir. 20,000) (01/20)

". . . India has upped the military ante against Pakistan after
meetings between Indian officials and America's Holbrooke and Gates.
Hence we are seeing the unprovoked Indian military firing at
Pakistani forces across the international border. . . ."

Editorial: Give A Befitting Response To Indian Mischief, an
editorial note in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (01/20)

"Indian military opened unprovoked automatic fire on Pakistan
Rangers post at Harpal Sector, Sialkot Working Boundary.... India
is indulging in aggression against Pakistan at the behest of America
and Israel and is being completely supported by both the
countries.... Pakistan should make a jaw breaking response to India
and its backers."

Opinion: Obama's Lost Momentum , an op-ed by Shamshad Ahmad in the
populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir.
55,000) (01/20)

". . . . The graph of anti-Americanism in Pakistan as elsewhere in
the world has also been sky-rocketing in recent years despite all
that the US claims to be doing to help Pakistan's long-term
interests as a 'friend and an ally.' There is in fact a pervasive
feeling all over the world that the US is not a 'steadfast and
reliable' friend, and that its self-serving policies had contributed
to most of the current problems in different parts of the world,
including our own region where US nuclear and defense deals with
India have created serious strategic imbalances. . . ."

Editorial: Ability To Shoot Down Drones: Use This Capability Also,
an editorial note in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily
"Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (01/20)

"According to Inter Services Public Relations, Pakistan Army
displayed the technology to target drones during the army's annual
air defense exercise at Muzaffargarh flying range the other day....
The display of the technology is a welcome step, but it should also
be used against drone attacks. The American drone attacks will stop
only after Pakistan starts shooting the drones violating Pakistan
airspace."

Editorial: Defense Is Invincible, an editorial note in the
Lahore-based populist center-right Urdu daily "Khabrain" (cir.
50,000) (01/20)

"Pakistan Army's Air Defense Unit has conducted a successful test of
shooting down a drone... It is extremely joyous for the entire
nation that Pakistan has also acquired drone technology. This has
given Pakistan Air Force the extraordinary capability not only for
surveillance of enemy territory but also to hit required targets.
The entire nation is proud of this achievement."

Editorial: Dialogue With Taliban Is Crucial For Peace In
Afghanistan, an editorial in the popular rightist Urdu-language
daily "Ausaf" (cir. 10,000) (01/20)

"An attack carried out by the Taliban on the eve of the oath-taking
ceremony of the new Afghan cabinet held in one of the most sensitive
areas of Kabul, is a clear manifestation of the fact that the U.S.
and its allies have completely failed in subduing the resistance
forces. Moreover, many regional powers want to see Washington
entangled in this land-locked country, as they think that further
American involvement will speed up United States' decline as a
superpower. It has also become crystal clear that peace in
Afghanistan will remain elusive until the U.S. and its allies hold
dialogue with the Taliban."

Editorial: Taliban Attack On Important Facilities In Kabul, an
editorial in the liberal Urdu daily "Express" (cir. 25,000) (01/20)


"Taliban attacked 20 important buildings in Kabul including the
Presidential Palace while the Karzai cabinet was taking oath...
This incident has not only exposed the allied forces' performance
but also belied U.S. claims of strengthening Afghanistan
domestically... If this is the situation in Kabul, one can very well
imagine what Karzai government's writ would be in the other
areas....Instead of asking Pakistan to do more, and carrying out
drone strikes here, the U.S. should concentrate on improving the
situation in Afghanistan. Along with the Afghan forces, the U.S.
troops should launch a massive operation against Taliban and Al
Qaeda, break their network and then think of withdrawing from the
country."
Editorial: Reconciliation Need Of The Hour To Resolve Afghanistan
Issue, an editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily
"Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (01/20)

"The growing attacks by the Taliban, including the one that carried
out on the eve of the oath-taking ceremony of new Afghan cabinet in
Kabul, show that the U.S. and its allies are losing this war.
Meanwhile, in their statements, several high-ranking U.S. military
officials admitted that Washington cannot defeat the Taliban, and
advocated negotiations with the resistance forces. On the other
hand, several European allies of the U.S., including France and the
Netherlands, have refused to send more troops to Afghanistan. We
think that the time has come for Washington to engage the Taliban
politically in order to get rid of the Afghan quagmire."

(All circulation figures are based on estimation)

Patterson