Pakistan Urdu Press: June 29 - July 05, 2009
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    • Nawae-Waqt, Opinion column (excerpts), 29 June 2009
    Wagha-Torkham transit facility should have been conditioned with India’s closure of Consulates in Afghanistan: Columnist
    Commenting upon a recently signed MoU between India and Pakistan granting the transit facility from Wagha to Torkhem (Afghanistan) Dr. Eijaz Ahsan in an opinion Column in Nawae Waqt Urdu Daily opines that providing transit facility should have been conditioned upon India’s closure of Consulates in Afghanistan from where it executes destructive activities in Pakistan and its stopping construction of dams on rivers flowing into Pakistani territory. He says “secretly signing MoU on this issue shows the government has insulted the Parliament” and asks the government not to proceed with the MoU and to address public concerns on through a debate in the parliament. 
    (http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-urdu-online/Opinions/Adarate-mazameen/29-Jun-2009/2542) 

    Jang Urdu Daily, Opinion column, 29 June 2009
    Liberation of Kashmir in 1962 could have resolved our water, electricity crisis: Mir
    Columnist Hamid Mir in an opinion Column in Jang Urdu Daily makes a startling revelation about Pakistani thinking during Sino-Indian War. Based on his recent conversation with Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (who had been a caretaker Prime Minister), the Columnist says that during the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the then Foreign Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto advised Ayub Khan that “since the Indian troops have shifted to Chinese border Kashmir front is vacant , this is the golden chance to liberate Kashmir.” He says Bengali members of the 1962 National assembly were also supportive of such a cause. Amid mounting pressure from parliamentarians, Ayub Khan called them all to GHQ and by pointing a stick towards the map of Kashmir he said “there is nothing more than mountains and ravine in Kashmir, your wish to liberate and to conquer mountains and ravine is nonsense.” Mir quotes Jatoi as saying that everybody was stunned to hear that and left GHQ in despair.
    The columnist opines that had we not lost this opportunity, Kashmir could have been liberated in 1962 and we would not have scarcity of water in Jhelum, Chenab and Sindh. We could not have been fighting for water and there could not have been load shedding in Pakistan.
    (http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/jun2009-daily/29-06-2009/editorial.htm)  

    Khabrein Urdu Daily, Opinion column (excerpts), 29 June 2009
    Government should warn its enemies to be in its limit
    Against the backdrop of the recent victory in T-20 World cup Agha Mir Hassan in an opinion Column in Khabrein Urdu Daily opines that the victory has united the country and has spoiled the efforts of its enemies which were against Pakistan’s sovereignty and unity. He opines that this is the time “the government should show its power of unity and warn its enemies to be in its limit” and not to interfere in its internal affairs.  Hassan says “India has played enough of its game. Now it should understand that the more it has tried to weaken Pakistan the stronger has it become.”
    ( http://www.khabrain.com/idaria_detail.aspx?id=4)

    Express Urdu Daily, Editorial (excerpts), 29 June 2009
    Do not fight among yourselves over Water, press India
    On the ongoing water crisis in Pakistan, the Express Urdu Daily opines that this is a technical issue dealt with by the Indus River Authority and it should not be made a political issue. The newspaper writes that the water crisis has deepened because of India’s construction of dams on rivers in Kashmir which have checked inflow of water into Pakistani territory. The newspaper reminds the present political leaders that in the 1960s Pakistani dictator Ayub Khan has given Sutlej, Bias and Ravi to India under the Indus Water Treaty on the condition that India will give full amount of water of Jhelum and Chenab to Pakistan. The newspaper suggests the provincial leaders “to press upon India to implement the agreements of Indus Water Treaty in its letter and spirit rather than fighting among each other.” 
    http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/Index.aspx?Issue=NP_LHE&Page=Editorial_Page10&Date=20090629&Pageno=10

    Jang Urdu Daily, report, 29 June 2009

    Separate  Seraiki province should be carved out: Altaf Hussain
    MQM  Chief Chaudhary Altaf Hussain has said that a separate  Seraiki province should be carved out, reported Jang Urdu Daily. He said with the rise of population in the entire world, more provinces and administrative units are being created. Iran whose population equals that of  Punjab has 36 provinces. He said the federation will strengthen if more provinces are created in the country.

    (http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/jun2009-daily/29-06-2009/main2.htm)

    China will run two thousand CNG buses in Punjab, metro to roll on
    Signing an MoU with China to better transport facility in the state, Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif said that China will run 2000 buses in the state and will also operate the services on its own, the Express Urdu daily reported. He said that with the help of Iran and China an underground metro service will be completed soon.
    (http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/index.aspx?Issue=NP_LHE&Page=FRONT_PAGE&Date=20090629&Pageno=1&View=1%20id=)

    Nawae Waqt, Editorial (excerpts) June 30, 2009
    Altaf should clear his stand on Akhand Bharat: Nawae Waqt
    Criticizing MQM Chief Chaudhary Altaf Hussein over his recent remark in which he had said that division of India has weakened the Muslims dividing them into three countries, the Nawae Waqt Urdu daily in its editorial says “after watching the conditions of Muslims in India, Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh are happy to be liberated from ‘Hindu Baniyas’ and thank the Almighty Allah.”  The paper questions whether he is a supporter of an “Akhand Bharat”, and states that he should speak up openly so that Pakistanis would be able to judge his politics.
    (http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-urdu-online/Opinions/Editorials/30-Jun-2009/2728)

    Jang Urdu Daily, Opinion, 30 June 2009
    US is trying to besiege Iran and China through Afghanistan and Kashmir: Mir
    Narrating his recent conversation with Abdul Hafeez Peerzada (Law Minister during Zulfiqar Bhutto government) Columnist Hamid Mir in an opinion Column in Jang Urdu Daily quotes him as saying that the US would try to besiege Iran through Afghanistan and will establish NATO bases with India’s willingness to encircle China. Connecting Peerzada’s remarks with those of David Barno former commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, who on 26 February this year had indicated that US forces would stay till 2025 in the country, the Columnist says that the US wishes to stay longer in the region.
    Mir says that India’s para-military is already based in Southern and Western Afghanistan and in the next phase preparations are underway to bring its regular army into Eastern Afghanistan near Pakistan’s tribal region. He says if India is provided bases near Pakistan’s tribal region, in return it can provide bases to NATO in Kashmir. He opines that if India comes closer to Nangarhar and Paktia, will not it try to coordinate and strengthen another Mukti Bahini?
    He concludes that “2025 is far off, but if the US keeps its presence in Afghanistan” till that time then “tears of sorrow will be our fate”. He says Pakistan should convince the US to exit Afghanistan otherwise they will also destroy themselves.
    (http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/jun2009-daily/30-06-2009/col6.htm) 

    Jang, editorial, June 30, 2009
    Do not raise demand of new provinces now
    Commenting upon the growing demand for creating new provinces in Pakistan, the Jang Urdu daily in its editorial says that the demands were made in the past also but during debate on budget in Punjab assembly, the parties cutting across political affiliation created pandemonium on the issue which is not an encouraging sign. The newspaper says that at present Pakistan faces multiple internal and external challenges and advises all the political parties to leave the debate on creation of new states till Pakistan gets over these challenges. And if the issue is raised in the future it should be raised not on political ground but on administrative ground. 
    (http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/jun2009-daily/30-06-2009/idaria.htm)

    Express Urdu Daily, report, 29 June 2009
    Impose tax on birth of more than two children: Firdaus Awan
    The rapidly growing population is also one of the reasons for rise of terrorism in Pakistan said Ashiq Firdaus Awan during question hour in Pakistan assembly, reported Express Urdu daily. He suggested that legislation is needed in the parliament to impose tax on delivery of more than two children and it should be started with members of parliament.

    (http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/index.aspx?Issue=NP_LHE&Page=FRONT_PAGE&Date=20090630&Pageno=1&View=1%20id=) 

    Column, Jang Urdu Daily, July 1, 2009
    Sarabjeet case; Do not take international pressure into notice
    Against the backdrop of Pakistan Supreme Court’s rejection of review petition filed by Sarabjeet Singh, Istiaque Beig opines in a Column in Jang Urdu Daily that Sarabjeet’s case is different with that of Kashmir Singh while the latter was involved only in espionage, the former has killed 14 Pakistanis. He opines that while deciding on Sarabjeet’s mercy plea Pakistani President has to take the fact into account that the victims’ family members have not forgiven him and Islam does not allow mercy to the killer until the family members of the victim forgive him. Beig questions Pakistani president’s pardoning authority saying he has to see whether the Constitution authorizes him to forgive a foreign spy and a terrorist. Drawing a parallel with Afzal Guru case, he says on the one hand Indian officials are mulling to execute his death sentence while on the other hand they are pressurizing Pakistan to annul Sarabjit’s death sentence. Beig concludes with the suggestion that without taking international pressure into cognizance Pakistan should decide his fate so that terrorists could be discouraged.
    (http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/jul2009-daily/01-07-2009/col7.htm)

    Opinion, Ausaf Daily, July 1, 2009
    Whether a Welfare or Security State?
    Questioning the expansion of defense budget Eijaz Ahmad in an opinion Column asks that “it is beyond understanding that why are we depriving people with the basic facilities by allocating more fund on defense.” He says that this year the government has allocated Rs 380 billion for defence while only 50 billion has been allocated for education and health facilities. Ahmad opines that Pakistan which is not a Welfare State is proceeding towards a Security State and as a result unemployment, lawlessness and poverty situation is worsening further. He says that if we concentrate on promoting Pakistan as a Welfare state most of our problems will be resolved. He also questions giving more subsidies, pay hikes and medical benefits to defense personnel and police while depriving the same facility to other government employees.
     (http://www.dailyausaf.com/edi_detail.php?id=1126&art_id=45)

    Ausaf Urdu daily, Editorial, July 2, 2009
    Pakistan has achieved a landmark in air power; Ausaf daily
    The Ausaf Urdu daily in its  editorial has thanked China for its assistance in production of fighter aircraft JF Thunder. The daily says that by starting production of fighter aircraft JF Thunder, Pakistan has achieved a landmark in air power. It will not only strengthen Pakistan’s defence but will also thwart the enemy’s sinister design. The paper says that “China has once again given a concrete example of friendship and we on behalf of people of Pakistan sincerely thank Chinese government and people.” 
    (http://www.dailyausaf.com/news/id/16316/)

    Opinion Column, Jang/ Nawae Waqt/ Khabrein Daily, July 2, 2009
    Punjab; the Next battle field: Jamat e Islami
    The newly elected chief of Jamat e Islamai, Syed Munawwar Hassan in his opinion column published in Jang,  Khabrein  as well as Nawae Waqt Urdu dailies has forewarned that Punjab would be next battle front in the ‘so called war of terrorism’. He says “we had been warning that the operation will not stop at FATA and since the US officials in Pakistan are saying that they are concerned over situation in Punjab, it indicates that the next front would be in Punjab.” He says that echoing the US sentiments Interior Minister Rahman Malik has also said that five to six thousand militants are there in Punjab. He quotes many former US envoys to Pakistan as writing that Punjabi Jihadis are the real threat and if the government leaves them, they will spread over the country and the task against terrorism will remain unfinished. Hassan opines that by asking to open up more fronts, the US actually wants to create confrontation between the military and the masses so that the nation becomes unstable and provide it (the US) a basis to capture Pakistan’s nuclear asset.
     He says there is a need to strengthen people’s protest across the nation against the US and “Go America Go” is part of the campaign. As part of the campaign hand bills against the US should be distributed in houses and anti-US slogans should be inscribed on walls across Pakistan to create a real movement against the US.

    (http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-urdu-online/Opinions/Adarate-mazameen/02-Jul-2009/2771)   

    Opinion Column, Jang Urdu Daily, July 2, 2009.
    Government entered without any strategy into Waziristan: Hamid Mir
    Criticizing government’s strategy in the ongoing operation against terrorism, Columnist Hamid Mir has refuted the government’s statements that the operation has entered into a decisive phase. He says if the operation has really entered into the final phase then what was the need for imposing carbon tax and a hike in oil price. He further says that by imposing carbon tax and a hike in oil price the government wants to accumulate funds for the ongoing operation and this is an indication that the operation is going to drag on for a longer period.
    Mir opines that the government entered into Waziristan without a well thought out strategy. He argues that in Swat it had at least support from ANP but in Waziristan both Jamat e Islami and JUI are opposed to it. He reminds that such operations had failed in 2004 and 2007. Mir also reminds that because of drone attacks, people consider this war a war by the US and there is strong resentment among them against the US. He concludes by asking that where there exists contradiction in the statements and thinking of Prime Minister and President is it possible to win a war?
    (http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/jul2009-daily/02-07-2009/col4.htm)

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