DEATH OF NAWAB BUGTI CONTINUES TO ROIL THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 017255

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2016
TAGS: PK PREL PGOV KTER
SUBJECT: DEATH OF NAWAB BUGTI CONTINUES TO ROIL THE
STREETS, POLITICAL ARENA

REF: A. (A) ISLAMABAD 16944


B. (B) ISLAMABAD 17014

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES PETER W. BODDE, REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: Protests over the government's killing of
Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti continued into the third
day, August 29. Demonstrations, road blockages, riots and
even several bombings appear to have been in reaction to the
Nawab's death. The apparent inability of the government to
produce the body -- or those of the Nawab's relatives who
might have died with him, gave the popular demonstrations
impetus, while politicians became increasingly concerned over
the death of one of their own, even one in open revolt
against the central and provincial government. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Street protests over the death of Nawab Bugti
continue across his home province of Balochistan. On
Tuesday, rioting broke out following a memorial service held
in the provincial capital Quetta. About 10,000 people
attended the service and shots and stone throwing erupted
after prayers. Stores and two banks were looted and then
torched. Reports of grenade throwing and attacks on
government buildings across the town continued until police
and Frontier Corps elements were able to restore calm. Three
bombs exploded in Quetta and Mastung and a bomb in the
coastal city of Hub ripped through a hotel, killing perhaps
five and wounding nearly a dozen. Riots and looting were
also reported in Khuzdar, Turbat and Gwadar. In contrast, a
similar memorial service in Karachi was a non-event, with
150-200 present at the Pakistan Press Club and no violence
or demonstrations associated with the ceremony. The press
reported that sporatic violence and police activity occurred
on Tuesday in interior Sindh, but the bulk of the action
appears to have been in Balochistan. Consulates in Lahore
and Karachi reported no significant actvities on Wednesday.


3. (C) The government continues to refine its story of
Bugti's death. On Tuesday, Major General Shaukat Sultan,
Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations, explained
to the press that Bugti was not, as reported, traced through
his cell phone, but rather that army forces entered the cave
after a surveillance helicopter was fired upon from the
ground. He said that army officers entered the cave to speak
with Bugti once they realized he was inside. As soon as the
officers entered the cave there was a huge explosion and the
cave collapsed, killing, among others, the army officers.
Sultan added that the cave was very unstable and that
retreiving the bodies by hand would take another three to
five days.


4. (C) The political classes have criticized the government's
handling of Bugti's death. Even elements of the ruling
coalition have expressed opposition and sorrow over the way
the Nawab's case was closed (ref B). Senator Mian Raza
Rabbani, leader of the opposition and the Deputy Secretary of
the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) told PolOff there was a
trans-party apprehension over what the death might imply for
Pakistani politicians who might oppose any particular
government.


4. (C) COMMENT: The government appears to have been caught
somewhat off guard by the strong reaction in Balochistan and
among the political class to Bugti's death. Their desire to
downplay the situation is indicated, in part, by their not
making much of the funerals of the officers who died in the
incident. Those who die in action are usually honored as
national heroes. END COMMENT.


5. (U) Consulates Karachi and Lahore contributed to this
report.
BODDE