Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD1833
2007-04-24 13:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
CHIEF JUSTICE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES: APRIL 24
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001833
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2017
TAGS: PK PREL PGOV ASEC
SUBJECT: CHIEF JUSTICE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES: APRIL 24
PROTESTS
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 1783
B. AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: CDA Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001833
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2017
TAGS: PK PREL PGOV ASEC
SUBJECT: CHIEF JUSTICE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES: APRIL 24
PROTESTS
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 1783
B. AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: CDA Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Coinciding with the Supreme Judicial Council and
Supreme Court hearings in Islamabad, demonstrations occurred
around Pakistan on April 24. In a manner that has become
routine since the Chief Justice controversy began in March,
police established road blocks and barriers on all major
avenues around the Supreme Court. In a new development, the
protests in Islamabad involved over 1000 pro-government
partcipants from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q, many
bused in from other cities in Punjab. The pro-government
protestors were led by PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
and other party notables. The overall numbers of protestors
in Islamabad increased over last week, to approximately 7000
people. All major opposition parties took part, with the MMA,
PPP, and PML-N drawing crowds of supporters and top party
officials. Due to the growing heat in the capital, most
protestors dispersed by 2 pm. The demonstrations were
generally peaceful, with only a small skirmish between 20-30
pro-government and pro-Chief Justice protestors. (Note. The
police kept pro- and anti-government protestors separated by
barriers and had them march on separate streets. End Note.)
2. (C) Protests also took place in various cities around
Pakistan.
--Protests in Lahore ended earlier than expected and
were smaller than in the past, numbering only 1000 people.
The MMA and PML-N were the main protestors in Lahore, with
the PPP sending only token representation.
--In Karachi, lawyers led a march to the Sindh High
Court and were joined by representatives of all major
opposition parties. The 2000 - 2500 protestors were peaceful
and well organized.
-- In Peshawar, lawyers staged a complete strike,
refusing to attend court proceedings. A sizeable protest took
place in Peshawar on Saturday, April 21, when the Chief
Justice, his legal team, and thousands of supporters rallied
at the NWFP High Court.
BODDE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2017
TAGS: PK PREL PGOV ASEC
SUBJECT: CHIEF JUSTICE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES: APRIL 24
PROTESTS
REF: A. ISLAMABAD 1783
B. AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: CDA Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Coinciding with the Supreme Judicial Council and
Supreme Court hearings in Islamabad, demonstrations occurred
around Pakistan on April 24. In a manner that has become
routine since the Chief Justice controversy began in March,
police established road blocks and barriers on all major
avenues around the Supreme Court. In a new development, the
protests in Islamabad involved over 1000 pro-government
partcipants from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q, many
bused in from other cities in Punjab. The pro-government
protestors were led by PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain
and other party notables. The overall numbers of protestors
in Islamabad increased over last week, to approximately 7000
people. All major opposition parties took part, with the MMA,
PPP, and PML-N drawing crowds of supporters and top party
officials. Due to the growing heat in the capital, most
protestors dispersed by 2 pm. The demonstrations were
generally peaceful, with only a small skirmish between 20-30
pro-government and pro-Chief Justice protestors. (Note. The
police kept pro- and anti-government protestors separated by
barriers and had them march on separate streets. End Note.)
2. (C) Protests also took place in various cities around
Pakistan.
--Protests in Lahore ended earlier than expected and
were smaller than in the past, numbering only 1000 people.
The MMA and PML-N were the main protestors in Lahore, with
the PPP sending only token representation.
--In Karachi, lawyers led a march to the Sindh High
Court and were joined by representatives of all major
opposition parties. The 2000 - 2500 protestors were peaceful
and well organized.
-- In Peshawar, lawyers staged a complete strike,
refusing to attend court proceedings. A sizeable protest took
place in Peshawar on Saturday, April 21, when the Chief
Justice, his legal team, and thousands of supporters rallied
at the NWFP High Court.
BODDE