Pakistan Urdu Press: February 9-15, 2010
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    • Ausaf, editorial, February 15, 2010

    Pakistan should say no to talks with India if Kashmir issue is not on agenda: Ausaf

    The issue of India’s offer of talks to Pakistan dominates the debates in the Pakistani vernacular press for the second consecutive week. The Ausaf daily in its editorial opines that Pakistan is in a “good bargaining position” and advises “it play its cards properly”. The daily says that “the credit goes to the present Pakistani government which did not sit on the negotiating table without setting its agenda. When it knew that India did not want to include the Kashmir issue in the agenda of talks then it made it clear that it has no interest in a talk in which the Kashmir issue is not going to be discussed.”

    The daily says that “for India this issue is a matter of concern that there exists uniformity between the civilian and military leadership and both the seats of powers do not want the Musharraf kind of deal but are seeking ways which could ensure Kashmir’s independence.”

    The daily identifies three stake holders (India, Pakistan and the US) in Indo-Pak talks and says that “the three powers have three different aspirations”:

    1. Pakistan wants talks with India which should focus on different aspects of issues and should be result oriented.
    2. India wants talks with Pakistan without Kashmir issue and wants that the talks should neither be constructive nor result oriented, and
    3. The US wants cessation of all kinds of hostilities between India and Pakistan so that both the countries could safeguard US interests in the region.

    The daily says that “we understand that Pakistan is in a good bargaining position. Given the problems the US faces, if Pakistan plays its cards properly, there is no doubt that the US will agree to help resolve Kashmir.”

    The daily states that “in fact, this is a play which needs ‘strong hands’ and those who participate in the play should have strong hands.” The daily in this context suggests “if India does not agree for a meaningful talks then Pakistan should do two things, first it should say ‘no to talks’ and second it should accelerate the movement of Kashmir’s liberation.” The daily says that “we can say with certainty that if Pakistan does these two things then India and the US will make a plea to Pakistan (for talks) and India’s attitude on Kashmir will also change into a positive way.”
    http://www.dailyausaf.com/news/id/23495/

    Nawa-e-Waqt , editorial, February 14, 2010

    Pakistan should reject offer of talks which does not included issue of Kashmir and water: Nawae Waqt

    Identically, the Nawa-e-waqt Urdu daily opines that Pakistan should reject the offer of talks if the issue of Kashmir and water is not included in the agenda.”

    The daily says that “from Pakistan’s stand point, the focus of talks should be on Kashmir and water, whereas India’s agenda is different.” India should not assume that Pakistanis will come to India and hold talks as per their wish, says the daily. Such an attitude will yield nothing except, sitting, gossiping, eating and earning TA and DA. It would be better to reject the offer of talks which does not include serious issues such as Kashmir and water. The daily suggests Pakistan raise both the issues at international fora and should think of taking “practical steps” to resolve these issues.
    http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-urdu-online/Opinions/Editorials/14-Feb-2010/8538

    Jang , Opinion, February 08, 2010

    Kayani seems well informed about all aspect of Pakistani affairs: Salim Safi

    Lavishing praise at the leadership of Chief of Army Staff General Asfaq Pervz Kayani journalist Salim Safi writes in Jang Urdu daily that: “I found General Musharraf ignorant of realities of Pakistani society but Kayani seems well informed about all aspect of Pakistani affairs. He reads not only English press but also goes through Urdu Press which represents real Pakistan.” The journalist says that though Kayani ducked most of the questions on Pakistan’s internal politics but presented a clear picture of problems, challenges and priorities of Pak military.

    Safi quotes Kayani as saying that he has informed Pakistan’s NATO allies that its forces have made more sacrifices in the war against terror and they should not demand that it “do more”. According to Safi, Kayani gave the following details: “As per our strategy of silent surge we deployed around one Lakh 47 thousand troops on our Western border. Compared to this, 43 NATO members have deployed one lakh troops. We have 821 posts on our side of the border while only 112 posts have been established on the other side of the border. We have conducted 209 brigade level operations while they have conducted only ten operations. We lost 2273 soldiers on this side of the border including one Lt. General, two major generals and five brigadier while they lost only 1582 officials. Pakistani forces average tenure in combat zones is 26 months while the average tenure of US soldiers in the combat zone is 12, Canada’s 12, Germany’s six and France’s 7.5 per month.”

    The journalist says that he posed a question to Kayani at the end of the briefing asking him “even if our strategy is comprehensive and effective” we as a frontline ally of the US are sailing and sinking in the same boat. How can we save ourselves from drowning? The journalist says that “Kayani did give the answer to my question but since the question and answer session was off the record, I can not write it here but I can say his response was not up to my satisfaction.”
    http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/feb2010-daily/08-02-2010/col3.htm

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