Rebuff terror

In view of the terror activities recently, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara on August 27 says, “there is a need for having an effective policy against terror and to uproot it...

In view of the terror activities recently, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara on August 27 says, “there is a need for having an effective policy against terror and to uproot it… all political parties would have to rise above their political gains and would have to agree to an effective strategy and policy”. National Herald’s Qaumi Awaaz (August 28) writes, “Pakistani and Bangladeshi militants are hatching conspiracies against India… India mustn’t behave like a jung-baaz mulk (a war-mongering nation) but like a peace-loving country and take strong, preventive measures to secure its sovereignty and internal peace.” Kolkata and Delhi based Akhbar-e-Mashriq (August 28) praises the people of Hyderabad for not letting the blasts upset communal harmony.

More on deal

Jamaat-e-Islami mouthpiece, the bi-weekly Daawat writes on August 28 that “all aspects of the Indo-US nuclear energy deal should be reviewed.” Talking about the section pleading for the deal, the paper says “this section is also fully aware about the US’s real intentions. They must also be aware of explanatory statements issued by US officials about this deal, as well as the Australian statements. The discussion here is not only the normalisation of relations between two countries, but it is something impacting the international order. So, there is need for watching this very closely.” Akhbar-e-Mashriq on August 25, commenting upon reports that the Sachar Committee Report may be debated as a counter to the Left position on the nuclear deal, writes that “ab surkhe bhi imaan la chuke hain — the reds have also now shown commitment to Muslim interests — and want their votes. Now, if this is debated, the Congress and Left may come closer.” In a special supplement on the deal, the paper on August 26 has gone on to describe the deal as “participation of India in the US crusade (salibi jung) against the Islamic world… Indian foreign policy particularly in the context of Arab countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Palestine and Iraq will be decided at the behest of the US.”

Hyderabad-based Rahnuma-e-Deccan, on August 21, writes that now Pakistan will not say anything directly to the US, but, “Cheen aur Pakistan ne ek naya shosha chhoda hai (there’s a new trick by Pakistan and China) by showing an inclination of a similar agreement between them… (Pakistan) wants to fulfil its objectives using China as a shield.”

A Saudi guarantee

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Rashtriya Sahara on August 30 writes on the possible return of Nawaz Sharif upsetting “plans of Musharraf, with US support, to effect a settlement with Benazir — bisaat ulat di hai.” Now, says the paper, “he has no alternative other than keeping the Sharif brothers away from politics. But the fear is, like (Chief Justice) Iftikhar Chaudhry’s issue, this might also turn into a campaign for restoration of democracy.” Writes Qaumi Awaz on August 27, “it seems that the decision to allow Nawaz to return can only be taken by the Saudis.” It also quotes Pakistan spokesman Rasheed Ahmed who said, “till the person who has taken his guarantee (Saudi government) doesn’t allow this, Nawaz Sharif cannot return till then.”

River of Fire

The death of writer Qurratulain Haider has had a big reaction. In a special supplement, Delhi-based Hindustan Express on August 26 has quoted The Times (London) saying that; “Haider’s opus, Aag Ka Dariya has the same status in Urdu fiction that Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude has in Spanish literature.” Delhi’s Jadeed Khabar on August 23 has described Haider as “a rebel who saw the peak of the progressive movement and also watched its decline.” Rahnuma-e-Deccan on August 27, writes, about her not getting the Nobel Prize, “her stature is not diminished, after all, even Gandhiji was not considered for this prize.”

Compiled by Seema Chishti