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BBC Monitoring Quotes From Pakistan's Urdu Press 6 Mar 06

Posted on: Monday, 6 March 2006, 06:00 CST

The following is a selection of quotes from editorials published in 6 Mar editions of Urdu-language Pakistan newspapers available to BBCM.

Bush visit to Pakistan

Nawa-i-Waqt [Islamabad; pro-Muslim League]:

The five-page declaration issued after the meeting between President [George W.] Bush and President [Pervez] Musharraf says that both presidents have resolved to continue their long-term strategic partnership. They condemned terrorism and stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy to end terrorism and extremism. In our opinion, by inking important agreements with India and avoiding even giving us promises, the USA has clarified that what we should do now is to demonstrate our self-esteem and develop policy in accordance with our national interests. More reliance on the USA and following its policies would be equal to suicide.

Ausaf [Islamabad; pro-Islamist]:

In our view, as long as the US war on terror is continued, Pakistan will be the USA's strategic partner and both countries will have some mutual interest in this regard. But the point to think over is what benefit we are getting from this partnership. We were also US strategic partners during the Cold War era, and all we got from that were the fruits of terrorism and extremism: Kalashnikov culture, poverty, joblessness, economic instability and sanctions.

Khabrain [Peshawar; commercial]:

It is the need of the hour that the US leadership should understand our needs and problems and treat us as friends. Pakistan has carried out many steps for the security of the USA and played the role of front-line state in its war against terror. The people of Pakistan expect that the USA should also take care of our stability and security. It should not create security problems for us by strengthening India against us.

South Waziristan military campaign

Nawa-i-Waqt [Islamabad; pro-Muslim League]:

More than 100 militants and three security personnel have been killed in the military drive in the South Waziristan tribal agency. We wonder how long we are going to be fighting the war for the USA. This gloomy state of affairs can be improved only through the process of dialogue. We suggest the government should immediately halt its military operation in Waziristan and shift the troops to the eastern border. We believe there is no benefit to be gained from sticking with a policy which has endangered not only the life and rule of President Musharraf, but also the solidarity of the country.

Ausaf [Islamabad; pro-Islamist]:

No doubt the authorities would declare the large-scale killing in Waziristan to be an ordinary activity and describe those killed as foreign militants. But this action is merely a continuation of previous history, whereby whenever any top US leader visits Pakistan, a similar drive is carried out in Waziristan.

Sources: as listed

Source: BBC Monitoring Newsfile

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