• If America tries to attack Pakistan, 180 million Pakistani people will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army: Ausaf
• Pakistan and America agree on surgical strikes in North Waziristan and expanding drone operations; The Pakistan government should abandon its double standards and state its policy clearly: Nawa-e-Waqt
• We should try to become a permanent member of the Security Council: Nawa-e-Waqt
• We should get a grip on the troublesome situation in Baluchistan: Nawa-e-Waqt

If America tries to attack Pakistan, 180 million Pakistani people will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army: Ausaf

Editorial, October 18, 2011.
The US Army recently moved a large number of its soldiers, ammunition and supplies to regions bordering North Waziristan. It has also sealed the Afghanistan- Pakistan border. Tribals living in the border areas have said that a curfew has been imposed by Americans in areas around Khost, and houses are being searched, writes the Ausaf Urdu Daily in its editorial.

The editorial views the troop mobilisation as a sign of an impending attack on Pakistan. It writes that “some times back, a joint session of parliament had adopted a 13 point Resolution to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty. But the resolution was not implemented. Had it been implemented, we believe Pakistan could not have faced this kind of situation (a threat of attack).”

It goes on to write that “America is now trying to pressurise Pakistan to freeze its nuclear program, and time and again it rakes up this issue. It is possible that America will take this issue to the Security Council. Considering that scenario, we should try to take our allies into confidence so that they veto a possible resolution in this regard.”

The editorial concludes by saying that “all allegations levelled by the US on Pakistan are nothing but a bunch of lies. In any case, if it tries to attack Pakistan, the 180 million brave people of Pakistan will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army.”
http://www.dailyausaf.com/news/id/69246/

Pakistan and America agree on surgical strikes in North Waziristan and expanding drone operations; The Pakistan government should abandon its double standards and state its policy clearly: Nawa-e-Waqt

Editorial, October 23, 2011.
Nawa-e-Waqt’s editorial quotes a report published by the Daily Nation as saying that “the military leaderships of Pakistan and the US have agreed on initiating action against extremist elements near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border although no consensus was reached on the issue of Haqqani Network’s presence in North Waziristan.” It goes on to state that “there has been some kind of agreement on intensification of surgical strikes and increased drone attacks based on shared intelligence.”

The editorial writes that “after strong remarks by the army leadership, it was hoped that the government would take a firm stance when meeting the Hillary Clinton led delegation. However, by looking at various statements, it becomes clear that the leadership has shamelessly yielded to the US demands of initiating immediate action against extremists and continuing the drone attacks and military operations in Barah. In the end, it seems to be geared towards pleasing the Americans.”

The editorial also notes that it was regretful that the Pakistan government did not raise this issue with Hillary Clinton. It says “Unlike the past, this time there was no APC meeting (All Parliament Committee) before this important meeting. Neither the parliament was taken into confidence, nor was there a cabinet meeting. If one were to realistically analyse the outcome of Hillary Clinton’s tour, then it becomes clear that the US was successful in putting pressure on Pakistan, and our leadership has failed once again. A clear indicator of our flawed policy has been the recent statement of Maulvi Fazlullah in which he declared his intent to resume hostilities in Swat. On the other hand, the puppet government in Kabul has heaped new allegations under the American and Indian diktats. Also, Afghan Army’s Chief General Sher Kareemi has alleged that there are terrorist havens in Swat, Mohmand and Bajaur, although these areas have been cleansed of these elements by the Pakistan Army. There is no doubt that those terrorists that cross the border to carry out strikes in Pakistan have the support of the Afghan National Force, which is being trained by the Indian Army.”

The Daily also states, “The American military leadership has been carrying out dialogue with representatives of the Haqqani network, and it accepts that these meetings have been arranged with the help of ISI. The US has a double standard in every affair; it tells Pakistan to act against the Taliban, while engaging in dialogue with them.” In this context, the editorial suggests Pakistan to “shun its diabolic policies first.” It opine that “On one hand, the Pakistani government condemns the drone attacks and brings a parliamentary resolution against these attacks, but once a lower rank US official visits Pakistan, it sets aside the resolution and allows them to continue with the drone attacks. Pakistan can no longer afford to become a part of US’s proxy war. The people of Pakistan know that the drone attacks are carried out with an approval from the government, writes the Daily.

In its concluding remarks, the editorial suggests Pakistan to come out of US led war and try to align its policies with Russia and China. The daily notes that it is necessary to maintain our sovereignty.
http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-urdu-online/Op...

We should try to become a permanent member of the Security Council: Nawa-e-Waqt

Editorial, October 23, 2011
Nawa-e- Waqt’s editorial says that the admission of Pakistan as a non permanent member of the Security Council is good news for Paksitan and claims that this was achieved without the support of western powers. It says that the People’s Republic of China lived up to our expectations and proved to be a true friend. The editorial says, “Pakistan should not let this opportunity go waste and should expedite its efforts to get a permanent seat at the Security Council. As the sole nuclear power of the Islamic world, Pakistan deserves to be a permanent member of the Security Council. We should try and garner support from all Islamic countries. They will undoubtedly support Pakistan; all we require is to put in efforts.”

The Daily also argues that this was an opportunity to resolve Kashmir issue according to the UN Resolution. The Kashmir issue is already on the Security Council’s agenda. It will be the first time in history that India and Pakistan will be present together at the Security Council. Therefore, it suggests the leadership to “make maximum use of this opportunity and force India to agree to UN conventions on Kashmir.” It suggests engaging Russia and China on the Kashmir issue so that “Pakistan is able to achieve its long awaited dream.”

In its concluding remarks, the Daily congratulates the Foreign Affairs Minister Hina Rabbani and Pakistan’s envoy to the UN, Mr. Abdullah Hussein Haroon, for taking diplomatic efforts towards getting non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council.
http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-urdu-online/Op...

We should get a grip on the troublesome situation in Baluchistan: Nawa-e-Waqt

Editorial, October 23, 2011
The Nawa-e-Waqt in its editorial quotes Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary as saying that “the situation in Baluchistan is worrisome and one fails to understand why the democratic government is not taking any action towards reaching a resolution. He also said that a Supreme Court Bench should be constituted to investigate the unconstitutional abductions of people, and the failure of the government in securing their return.”

The editorial argues that former President “Pervez Musharraf gave rise to these disturbances by playing a role in the assassination of Baloch elder leader Akbar Bugti. In addition, instances of kidnapping of youth in broad daylight have fuelled hatred for Pakistan, which gave rise to rebellion. Army Chief General Kayani has announced the plans to recruit Baloch youth into the Pakistan army so that they do not feel alienated. The Chief Minister of Baluchistan says that a few people missing in a population of millions is not surprising. Such statements add fuel to fire. Instead of correcting their mistakes, the politicians are treading down the same old path.”

The Daily also argues that it was a duty of the democratic government to talk to the Baloch people and address their grievances. It says, “In spite of belonging to a Baloch tribe, President Asif Ali Zardari has been unable to embrace his brothers. It has been a rightful demand of the Balochs that the killers of Akbar Bugti be caught and punished.” It also says that unconstitutionally abducted people should be returned immediately and suggests the government to “act on its own to resolve the issue so that the need of constituting a special bench does not arise.”

The Daily alleges that “external powers, especially India and Israel have been trying to brainwash the Balochi youth.” It suggests Pakistan to “take steps to curb sectarian violence and also involve the Ulema from all schools of thought to resolve the problem.”
http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-urdu-online/Op...

Translated and complied by Shamshad A. Khan and Amit Julka, Research Assistant and Research Intern respectively at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.