ISLAMABAD, 27 March 2003 — Pakistani newspapers yesterday praised stiff Iraqi resistance to US-led forces and backed calls for the United Nations to end the conflict.
Mass-circulation Urdu-language papers also linked the invasion of Iraq with an alleged US desire to protect Israel and capture Arab oil wealth in pursuit of its economic interests.
“Claims of early military gains by US and British forces have so far proved wrong and panicked by stiff resistance by the Iraqis and inhospitable weather, they have intensified air strikes, targeting civilian population,” Jang said.
In an editorial, the paper said a Security Council meeting should be called to “end US aggression.”
“The current situation demands that the international community, Arab states and the Islamic world... should demand the Security Council meeting without delay,” it said. “They should seek support from Russia, France and China and make strong and persistent demands for a cease-fire.”
By doing so “they will prove that the world cannot allow power-drunk America, Britain and their few allies to destroy humanity and world peace in the pursuit of their economic interests and impose their hegemony,” Jang said. Another Urdu daily, Nawa-e-Waqat, quoted US think-tanks as saying that after its victory in Iraq the United States will try to target Syria, Iran, Pakistan and Libya. “So we should prepare for the challenge,” it said.
Daily Pakistan said that “if Saddam (Hussein) stands up like an iron wall before the US and Britain, the global politics and economy would change.
“If the advance of US and Britain troops is checked in Iraq, it will foil unholy Zionist designs on Kashmir and Palestinian issues. But if Baghdad is captured, it will have negative impact on Kashmir and Palestine movements.”
Radical regional papers in southern Sindh province were unanimous in condemning the war on Iraq. “The entire world is united in its stance against the US aggression against a weak nation,” Kawish said.
Karachi-based daily Awami Awaz said “the imperialist forces believed they would conquer Iraq in one go and control its oil-rich land but how Iraqi leadership has humiliated the Americans was beyond their expectations.”
In an editorial, another Karachi daily, Hilal-e-Pakistan, said: “Iraqi resistance has given a hope to the peaceful people of the world that America may not succeed in its unholy designs to conquer weaker nations at its will.”
Daily Ta’amir-e-Sindh said “the US has finally showed its real monstrous face to the world by attacking a country with weapons of mass destruction to search for weapons for mass destruction.”
