PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 11, 2010

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000330 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OIIP OPRC PGOV PREL PK SUBJECT: PAKISTAN MEDIA REACTION: FEBRUARY 11, 2010 Summary: Coverage of intense fighting between security forces and Taliban in Khyber Agency dominated headlines in newspapers on Thursday morning. Media highlighted reports of a military helicopter crash, an ambush, and a suicide bombing that killed nearly 22 people including a brigadier, and 15 other security personnel. Some papers reported that the helicopter was shot down by suspected militants. Nearly all major newspapers, and TV networks reported arrival of U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones, and his meeting with Pak Army Chief General Kayani. Several dailies carried a New York Times report claiming that Pakistan has offered to mediate between Kabul administration and Taliban factions. Reports and photographs of U.S. Special Representative for Muslim Communities Farah Pandith's visit to a seminary in Karachi, and her vow to "build long-term ties with the Islamic world that is based on mutual respect, interest, and trust at the people-to-people level" received wide coverage. Media also reported that the secret British files revealed U.S. abuse of a detainee, and the White House warned that the "disclosure could affect U.S.-British intelligence-sharing." "The Nation," reported that Pakistan's Ambassador to Washington Haqqani met with PM Gilani in Islamabad "in a bid to clear his position after he badly failed to pursue Dr. Aafia's case efficiently." All mainstream newspapers reported that the Pak Army Corps Commanders discussed India's offer for talks, and reviewed the prevailing security situation. The proposed Pak-India dialogue, and its possible agenda including Kashmir and water issues remained another much-debated theme both in print as well as electronic media. End Summary. TOP STORIES News Story: Helicopter Crashes QArmy Rescue Team Ambushed QSuicide Attack On Khasadars: Brigadier Among 22 Killed In Khyber - "Dawn" (02/11) "The focus of intense fighting between security forces and Taliban suddenly shifted to Khyber Agency on Wednesday when 15 security personnel, a brigadier and a pilot among them, and seven civilians lost their lives in a gun attack, a suicide bombing and a helicopter crash. The brigadier was killed and two other officers, a Major and a Lieutenant, were injured when Taliban insurgents ambushed an army rescue party searching for bodies of the pilot and a gunner of a helicopter gunship which had crashed in the Tirah valley, Jamrud's Assistant Political Agent Rehan Khattak confirmed." News Story: Jones Discusses Afghan Security With Gen. Kayani - "Daily Times," "The News" (02/11) "U.S. Adviser on National Security James Jones called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, a private TV channel reported. According to the channel, the two military leaders discussed important matters, including the United States' new policy for Afghanistan, the overall regional security and the Pakistan Army's operation against terrorists along the Pak-Afghan border." News Story: Troika Sets Agenda; Zardari-Jones Meet - "The Nation" (02/11) "Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday apprised President Asif Ali Zardari of the issues that would be taken up during the meeting with the visiting U.S. President Obama's National Security Advisor, James Jones. The meeting is most likely to be held today (Thursday). Since Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was also present at a dinner at the Presidency, the troika sharpened Pakistan's stance over the bilateral issues with the Obama Administration including the release of Coalition Support Fund." News Story: Pakistan Seeks Role In Afghan Endgame: Report - "Dawn," "The News" (02/11) "In a departure from its previous reluctance to approach the Taliban, Pakistan has told the United States it wants a central role in resolving the Afghan war, the New York Times reported on Wednesday quoting American and Pakistani officials.... Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani expressed Pakistan's willingness to mediate at a meeting late last month at the NATO headquarters with top American military officials, a senior U.S. military official familiar with the meeting told 'Dawn.' The meeting was attended by the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, the head of Central Command, Gen. David H. Petraeus, and the Commander of U.S. and allied troops in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the official said." News Story: U.S. Undecided On Pakistan Offer To Mediate With Taliban Factions: NYT - "The Nation" (02/11) "The United States has not made up its mind about Pakistan's offer to mediate with Taliban factions like the Haqqani group, over which it has some influence, in an effort to resolve the Afghan war, a leading American newspaper reported Wednesday. The offer, aimed at preserving Pakistan's influence in Afghanistan once the Americans leave, could both help and hurt American interests as Washington debates reconciling with the Taliban, The New York Times said in a dispatch from Islamabad." News Story: U.S. Desirous Of Long-Term Relationship With Muslims - "Daily Times," "Dawn" (02/11) "The United States wants to build a long-term relationship based on mutual respect, interest and trust with Muslims, U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Anwar Pandit said on Wednesday while addressing the students and faculty of Jamia Islamia, Karachi on 'Religious Education and the Challenges of the Current Era.' Pandit said, 'These relations will not be limited to the time of crisis.'" News Story: U.S. Torture Allegations U.K. Court Asks Govt. To Make Secrets Public - "Dawn" (02/11) "The British government failed on Wednesday in a legal challenge to keep secret U.S. intelligence material relating to allegations of 'cruel and inhuman' treatment involving the CIA. London's Court of Appeal rejected a request by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to prevent senior judges from disclosing seven paragraphs of information relating to the case of former Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed." News Story: Haqqani In Capital After Aafia Case Flop - "The Nation" (02/11) "In a bid to clear his position after he badly failed to pursue Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case efficiently, Pakistan's Ambassador to U.S. Hussain Haqqani called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday." News Story: Corps Commanders Discuss India's Offer, Security - "Daily Times" (02/11) "Military commanders on Wednesday discussed India's offer to Pakistan for talks among other issues at a meeting of the top brass held at the General Headquarters. The commanders met as part of 126th Corps Commanders' Conference and reviewed the prevailing security situation. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani chaired the conference." TERRORISM/MILITARY ISSUES News Story: U.S. Marines Under Fire Ahead Of Afghan Assault - "Daily Times" (02/11) "U.S. Marines came under attack from insurgents armed with sniper guns and rocket-propelled grenades as they geared up on Wednesday to overwhelm a Taliban bastion in Afghanistan. Thousands of Marines along with foreign and Afghan soldiers are massing around the town of Marjah in Helmand, which officials say is one of the last areas of the southern province under Taliban control." News Story: Afghanistan Says It Is Ready For Thousands Who Will Flee Assault - "Daily Times" (02/11) "Afghanistan is ready to feed thousands if they flee a major assault by NATO troops, but officials hope fighting will be limited and civilians can safely stay home, President Hamid Karzai's spokesman said. NATO forces, led by thousands of US Marines, are massing for an attack on Marjah, billed as the last big Taliban stronghold in Helmand." News Story: U.S. Detainees Tortured To Admit Links To JD: Counsel - "The News" (02/11) "Khawaja Khalid, counsel for the five US nationals facing terrorism charges, said that the detainees were tortured by the FBI in the custody of the police to force them to admit their links with the Jamaatud Dawa. He was talking to journalists on phone. He said that he would move the Lahore High Court soon, seeking quashment of the case. He said that Ahmad, Rami, Waqar, Umar Farooq and Aman were innocent and the case against them was bogus. He disclosed that the Sargodha Police had also tortured them to force them to confess that they had links with the Tehrik-e-Taliban and other banned organizations." News Story: Truck Carrying NATO Supplies Looted - "Daily Times" (02/11) "A truck carrying supplies for NATO forces fighting in Afghanistan was hijacked and looted on the Northern Bypass (Karachi) on Wednesday." News Story: Reports of Hakimullah's Death Credible, Says Malik - "The News" (02/11) "Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Wednesday claimed he had credible reports that the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, had been killed in the drone attack on January 14, though he hastened to add that the death was yet to be confirmed officially, while talking to reporters in Peshawar." News Story: TTP Rejects Claim Of Hakeemullah's Death - "Daily Times," "The News" (02/11) "The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) lashed out at the government on Wednesday for referring to 'credible reports' that their leader Hakeemullah Mehsud had died after a U.S. drone attack in mid-January. The group has denied its leader's death but appeared to hold off on the idea of releasing another message proving he is alive, after an audio recording last month." News Story: Six Killed In Bajaur Airstrikes - "Daily Times" (02/11) "Aircraft bombed hideouts of the Taliban in Supri, Gutki and Mina, killing four Taliban and two women were killed in bombings in various areas of Mamond tehsil in Bajaur Agency on Wednesday." News Story: 4 Militants, 2 Women Killed - "Dawn" (02/11) "Four militants were killed in exchange of fire with security forces while two women were killed as mortar shell hit their house in Bajaur tribal region on Wednesday, official sources said." POLITICAL ISSUES News Story: U.S. Should Respect Sentiments Of Pakistani People: Gilani - "Daily Times" (02/11) "The U.S. should respect the sentiments of the people of Pakistan in order to bridge the trust deficit between the two countries, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday. Talking to Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.S. Hussain Haqqani, who called on him at the PM's Secretariat, Gilani said the country wanted to maintain friendly relations with the U.S. and strengthen its strategic partnership in multidimensional sectors." News Story: Dr. Aafia's Case Echoes In National Assembly - "Daily Times" (02/11) "An adjournment motion will not resolve the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui issue and the government needs to play its role in repatriating her to Pakistan, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Wednesday." News Story: PM Becomes Vulnerable To Contempt Case In SC - "The News" (02/11) "Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has become vulnerable to a possible contempt of court proceedings not only on account of his failure to implement the apex court's decision on the NRO but also for delaying the appointment of judges in violation of the Constitution and the judgment in the Al-Jihad case." News Story: PM Gilani Promises Consensus Accountability Law - "Dawn" (02/11) "Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani promised in the National Assembly on Wednesday that his government would bring a new consensus accountability law as he hailed as historic first reports of the opposition-led house Public Accounts Committee (PAC) whose chairman spoke of finding 'horrible scandals' and 'astonishing' bureaucratic misuse of funds." News Story: CJ's Appointment: Accord On Removing President's Powers - "Dawn" (02/11) "All parties represented in the Parliamentary Committee on constitutional reforms agreed on Wednesday to take the powers of appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan away from the president, but remained divided as to where that power should reside, sources told 'Dawn.'" News Story: Pakistan Prefers Dialogue To War With India: PM - "Daily Times" (02/11) "Pakistan has always preferred dialogue to war with India, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday, and praised New Delhi's 'intention' to resume dialogue with Islamabad." News Story: No Strings Attached To India's Talks Proposal - "Daily Times" (02/11) "The Pakistani high commissioner to India said on Wednesday that New Delhi is ready to hold talks with Pakistan on all bilateral issues without any 'precondition,' according to diplomatic sources. 'India is ready to move forward and discuss all issues ... they have dropped their previous stance that talks with Pakistan would just focus on terrorism,' Shahid Malik told a high-level, inter-ministerial meeting at the Foreign Office." News Story: Agreement On Roadmap To Settle Pak-India Water Dispute - "Dawn" (02/11) "India and Pakistan agreed on Wednesday on a 'roadmap for resolving water disputes' and decided to hold two additional meetings, besides a routine meeting due in May, over the next six months. Pakistan's Indus Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah told 'Dawn' that the decision is the biggest achievement made during five days of deliberations." ECONOMY/ENVIRONMENT News Story: U.S. Urged To Consider 'Conditions-Based' Civilian N-Deal With Pakistan - "The Nation" (02/11) "An American expert has proposed that the U.S. consider a conditions-based civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan as a way of bringing international recognition to the Pakistani nuclear weapons program and bolstering cooperation in anti-terrorism and non-proliferation goals. 'Nuclear cooperation could deliver results where billions of dollars of American aid have failed,' Professor Christine Fair wrote in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, saying U.S. assistance to Pakistan's civilian nuclear energy program could achieve the goals that Kerry-Lugar legislation could not because Islamabad's strong objections to some of its provisions." News Story: Govt. Vows To End Dependence On IMF - "Dawn" (02/11) "The cabinet decided on Wednesday to develop national economy to a level where by the end of next fiscal year it could come out of dependence on foreign institutions like the International Monetary Fund. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani." News Story: Three-Year Budgetary Priorities To Be Set - "The News" (02/11) "The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the Medium-Term Budgetary Framework (MTBF) for three years aimed at setting directions for ministries and departments. 'Under the MTBF the procedure of preparing budget would be changed and it would be presented before the month of May in the National Assembly. It would be reviewed by National Assembly and Senate committees to have a correct oversight of the budget and the departments should make their priorities,' said Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, while briefing newsmen after the cabinet meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Gilani here at the Prime Minister secretariat." MISCELLANEOUS News Story: Iran Spurns U.S. Isotopes Offer - "Dawn" (02/11) "Iran on Wednesday spurned a U.S. offer to supply it with medical isotopes if it stops further enriching uranium as world powers warned the time for diplomacy was limited and the sanctions clock was ticking. The foreign ministry shunned the U.S. offer as 'not logical,' after State Department spokesman Philip Crowley floated the idea on Tuesday when Iran said it had begun enriching uranium to 20 per cent for a Tehran research reactor." EDITORIALS/OPINIONS Editorial: Presence of Blackwater in Pakistan, an editorial in the Karachi-based, pro-Taliban Jihadi Urdu daily "Islam" (cir. 15,000) (02/11) "The continuous denials of Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the admissions of some important ministers of the Pervez Musharraf era, including Aftab Sherpao, and Amir Muqam, regarding the presence of Blackwater agents operating in Pakistan have plunged the masses into a state of utter confusion. It seems that the government considers that only the Taliban and Jundullah are terrorist organizations while armed Americans roaming the streets of our cities are above suspicion." Opinion: Presence Of U.S. Soldiers In Pakistan, an op-ed by Sajid Ansari in the Peshawar-based, independent regional daily "The Frontier Post" (cir. 7,000) (02/11) "The bomb blast in lower Dir has revealed the active presence of U.S. soldiers in Pakistan under the guise of 'trainers.' When the U.S. sent its 'trainers' in Pakistan, back in 2007, a common question was being raised amongst the people of Pakistan: 'Does our army really needs 'training' from the U.S. army?'... However, if the U.S. wanted to train Pakistan army in meeting with 'terrorism' then what experience do they have in 'war-on-terror' except ruthlessly and indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.... Now, coming to the point of the 'U.S. army trainers' in Pakistan, it is quite likely that U.S. did want to bring in its forces in Pakistan and for that the U.S. administration carved the strategy of bringing them under the guise of 'trainers,' for which the U.S. would have sought permission for brining the 'trainers' under the cover of an agreement.... Although the government of Pakistan as well as the US administration have denied the presence of US army in Pakistan but these are all 'white lies' and trying to make fool of the people, whereas, as a matter of fact, the U.S. Special Forces are 'operating' in Pakistan since 2007, getting all sorts of information and know-how as how could they manage to reach up to the nukes and the nuclear sites which was their prime objective of coming over to Afghanistan under the guise of 'war-on-terror' and also to impart 'training' to Pakistan army which was a joke as our army would never like to have training from the cowards sitting in their dens on just 20% of Afghanistan for the last nine years." Editorial: Contradictory Reports About Killing of TTP Chief, an editorial in the Peshawar-based Urdu-language daily "Mashriq" (cir. 55,000) (02/11) "The conflicting reports about the death of Tehreek-i-Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, are dominating the local and international media. However, his continuing absence from the scene bolsters up the authenticity of these media reports regarding his killing in a drone strike. We think that Mehsud's death may weaken the Taliban movement, but it will not weaken their operational capabilities. Hence, the government should continue military offensive in the tribal areas till a decisive and total defeat of the terrorists." Editorial: Hakimullah Mehsud's Death, an editorial in the center-right Urdu daily "Pakistan" (cir. 10,000) (02/11) "There have been several conflicting reports on Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud's death in a drone strike.... Some sources, including American diplomatic sources, have claimed that an injured Mehsud was being brought to Karachi for treatment and he passed away near Multan; the body was then transported back to Orakzai Agency and buried.... [If these reports are true] It should be a matter of concern for Pakistan government that it remained ignorant of Mehsud's movement towards Karachi and then back, despite it being such a long route." Editorial: Crossover, an editorial in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/11) "There are several points of interest regarding the arrest of six suspected terrorists -- one of them a teenage suicide bomber -- along with a range of explosives and hand-grenades. The men are alleged to have confessed to having Americans staying in a five-star hotel in Lahore as their target.... Yet the most revealing piece of information in terms of how terrorist networks operate is that the group is said to have used an Afghan named as 'Commander Nazir' to smuggle explosives to Lahore using his network of drug peddlers. Here we see a crossover between the purely criminal - the distribution and sale of illegal drugs - and what hides behind the fig leaf of ideology and Jihad, namely the TTP. The terrorists are using established criminal networks to further their aims, criminals who have no thought of Jihad on their agenda and are in business purely for profit. Both are ultimately engaged in criminal activity but their motives are divergent - although it is more than likely that the drug smugglers see themselves as 'fellow travelers' with the extremists." Opinion: Obama - Illegally Blonde In Afghanistan, an op-ed by Miranda Husain in the Lahore-based liberal English language daily "Daily Times" (cir. 10,000) (02/11) "It appears that the U.S. President is under pressure. In fact, we should really spare a thought for the poor chap. No one, it seems, understands just how weighty is the burden of that Nobel Peace Prize. It forever looms large. Like some real-politik version of Banquo's ghost.... Ditto the London Conference on Afghanistan. The trump card there being his full support for the concept of nation building, something that the swaggering W had always found too hard to swallow.... It is not too much to expect that Mr. Obama's Harvard education might have equipped him to recognize that any reconciliation efforts will be rendered meaningless once the concept of justice is eliminated from the narrative." Opinion: Reconciliation with Afghan Taliban, an op-ed by Mohammad Jamil in the Lahore-based liberal English daily "The Post" (cir. 5,000) (02/11) "Western politicians and key U.S. leaders have assumed that Taliban can be bought through prudent use of incentives and shrewd distribution of money. There appears to be a serious disconnect in the conclusions drawn by the U.S. that Taliban are fighting for material gains. They are no doubt war-tattered and earnestly need resources to meet their basic needs but they are loyal to their tribes and the country.... One would not know the real intent of the American leadership but it appears that efforts are being made to woo Taliban's rank and file soldiers to make them switch sides through incentives of jobs and money.... In this backdrop there is skepticism as to how the Taliban could be brought into the fold? There is no denying that to end conflict, negotiations and reconciliation efforts are important for reducing violence but the Taliban would not negotiate on American and Karzai's terms.... Nevertheless, both have the fear that in either case the Taliban position would be strengthened and it would provide the Taliban an opportunity to consolidate its position. But instead of rhetoric, there is need for practical measures to address each other's concerns.... Not caring for the lesson from history, the U.S. and the West are once again trying to subjugate Afghans, and during the last eight years they have only been able to control 30 percent of Afghanistan. President Obama's strategy of putting more boots on the ground is not likely to work." Opinion: Afghanistan: The Helmand Huff, an op-ed by I.M. Mohsin in the center-right national English daily "The Nation" (cir. 20,000) (02/11) "Gen. McChrystal, like Gen. Petraeus, is a very well-read officer. On taking over command, he rightly condemned the approach of his predecessors in Afghanistan. Insisting on 'winning the hearts and minds of the people' by providing them viable security, no matter what is the cost, and sincere implementation of reconstruction programs to alleviate sufferings of the people who are subjected to death and destruction over the last 30 years. In pursuance of the same, he is planning to launch attacks on Helmand where, as usual, the 'enemy' holds sway. Forces have been rushed there amid lot of fanfare despite the fact that the security situation all over the country remains murky. The Taliban, being in a defiant mood, have reacted accordingly. No wonder they are also getting ready while saying, as the Pashto proverb goes, 'it is better to be torn by a loin than to be loved by a jackal.' The upshot of all such moves is that the local population is seriously disturbed about their security. Many are migrating to other areas to escape more suffering. Being an internally displaced person poses many challenges but the Pashtuns dislike it as a fall-out of war. So such saber rattling by foreign troops would alienate the people even further." Opinion: Countering Insurgency And Terrorism, an op-ed by Ikram Sehgal in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/11) "Insurgency and terrorism having become endemic in Pakistan. The mixed success in developing an inherent capacity to counter both is surprising. We have to deal with two insurgencies, one feeding the Taliban in Afghanistan, the other directed towards terrorism within Pakistan and the world in general.... Terrorism must be the domain of civilian law enforcement agencies. But at present it is beyond the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism. The army will face another debilitating exercise 'in aid of civil power.' A Counter-Terrorism Force (CTF) in Pakistan, officered by the army must be developed on the pattern of the tremendously successful Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) that almost eliminated poppy cultivation and drug smuggling, this is vital not only for Pakistan but for the world." Opinion: Grievances, an op-ed by Zubair Torwali in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/11) "The Pashtun living on either side of the Durand Line are bearing the brunt of both terrorism and counter-terrorism. They have suffered because of the "jihad" against the former USSR. They have suffered also because they fulfill a government's need for "strategic depth." Now it is mostly the so-called war on terror. In this violent game the major players never bothered about the people whom they used in the furtherance of their regional agendas. What happened in the region, and what is happening in it now, is the result of the sharply conflicting agendas of the major players in the game.... The Pashtun see the policy of "strategic depth" as representing a deep grave for the Pashtun people." Editorial: Why Is Pakistani Water Being Stopped?, an editorial in the second-largest, nationalist Urdu daily "Nawa-i-Waqt" (cir. 150,000) (02/11) "A delegation of the Pakistan Indus Water Commission will travel to Occupied Kashmir to review dams being built on River Indus.... Pakistan fears that through these projects [dams] it is being cheated out of its share of water...... The Indian water commissioner himself got a surprise when he saw the condition of Pakistan's rivers. Perhaps he was not aware earlier how Pakistani rivers were being strangled.... Syed Jamaat Ali Shah and his team will visit India and then inform the nation and the world of the facts." Opinion: Indian Intervention In Balochistan Proved, an op-ed by Sajjad Shaukat in the Islamabad-based rightist English daily "Pakistan Observer" (cir. 5,000) (02/11) "While encouraging Baloch leaders to continue their struggle with full zeal and enthusiasm, the Indian officials paid 25000 dollars to each Baloch leader, assuring them more positive response by the next secret meeting to be held in February 2010. Meanwhile on November 21, 2009, with the consent of the Baloch national leader Mir Hyrbyair Marri, Laurie Deamer who is active member of the Independence American Friends of Balochistan read out the resolution in the first international conference at the Nation Press Club in Washington DC. The resolution also raised same allegations in connection with Pak Army and state terrorism by implicating Islamabad and Tehran, emphasizing the necessity of an independent Balochistan. Nonetheless, while taking the breaking of Pakistan as inevitable and in the interests of the international community, especially the Baloch people and the United States, the conference called upon the U.S. government and its affiliated departments to talk directly with Baloch independence, sending American leaders in Balochistan and abroad. No doubt that after these conferences and secret meetings among the Indian officials, foreign agents and Baloch leaders, particularly Indian intervention in Balochistan has been proved." Opinion: A Laudable Initiative, an op-ed by Yusuf H. Shirazi in the populist, often sensational national English daily "The News" (cir. 55,000) (02/11) "The 'Aman ki Asha' initiative of the Jang Group and the Times of India group is indeed laudable. It is a step in the right direction. The people of India and Pakistan have long aspired for peace. However, the realization of this 'Asha' is not possible without the two governments sharing. Peace, and thus the welfare for the people of the subcontinent, lies in political, economic and social harmony between the two countries.... Without this any such endeavor would be a pipedream, a desire unfulfilled. If Pakistan becomes the architect of its own policies rather than have them imposed on it by the developed world, the peace initiative will indeed lead to not only political harmony but also socio-economic harmony between Pakistan and India." Opinion: Let The Talks Continue, an op-ed by I.A. Rehman in the Karachi-based center-left independent national English daily "Dawn" (cir. 55,000) (02/11) "What is needed today is a blend of peace-preaching and people's direct contribution to tackling, in a fair and just manner, all the issues that have led to endless confrontation between the two closest neighbors. In other words, those deliberating behind closed doors need to associate ordinary citizens with their work and those singing peace songs in open fields should shed their inhibitions about talking politics. Peace will not be achieved by pushing matters under the carpet, for this ideal the people will have to sustain a strong movement that will give the political authorities the courage to take the essential steps they are at the moment afraid of taking." (All circulation figures are based on estimation) Patterson