Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD1844
2007-04-25 12:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

CHAUDHRY SHUJAAT WORRIED ABOUT PML'S SITUATION

Tags:  ASEC PGOV PK PREL 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001844 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2017
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PK PREL
SUBJECT: CHAUDHRY SHUJAAT WORRIED ABOUT PML'S SITUATION


Classified By: Charge Peter Bodde 1.5 (b),(d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 001844

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/02/2017
TAGS: ASEC PGOV PK PREL
SUBJECT: CHAUDHRY SHUJAAT WORRIED ABOUT PML'S SITUATION


Classified By: Charge Peter Bodde 1.5 (b),(d).


1. (C) Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) President Chaudhry
Shujaat Hussain told us April 25 he was worried that the
ongoing Chief Justice controversy was harming his party's
political situation. He described the opposition's ability
to generate excitement over the Chief Justice's plight as a
growing phenomenon. The PML-Q was particularly concerned by
the large crowds the Chief Justice drew during his April 21
rally in Peshawar. While Shujaat in no way believed
Musharraf was in imminent poltical danger, he did worry that
the Chief Justice matter was distracting the PML-Q from
preparing for the general election that will occur in the
next eight months. Shujaat had "strongly counseled"
President Musharraf to find a way to end the Chief Justice
controversy. While not enumerating, Shujaat said advisors
would soon propose a strategy for ending the legal
proceedings against the Chief Justice in a way that would
save everyone's honor, especially the Chief Justice's and
President Musharraf's.


2. (C) Other points:

--According to Shujaat, a significant number of PML-Q
political leaders and PML-Q-associated politicians,
particularly those who joined PML-Q from the PPP and
PML-Nawaz, are refusing to support the President in the Chief
Justice matter. Shujaat suspects people are "fence sitting"
so that they can move to the PPP if Musharraf's political
fortunes sag. (Note: On the other hand, a PPP leader told
us last week that the PPP was concerned because it had not
yet seen expected defections from PML-Q over the Chief
Justice issue. End Note.)

--Some of President Musharraf's advisors recommended that the
President cancel this week's trip to Europe so he could stay
home and focus on his political problems. The President
replied that the trip was too important, but said he would
focus on politics when he returned.

--Shujaat said the PML-Q planned to announce a major
political rally in Islamabad for Saturday, May 12. The
Punjab PML-Q hopes to bus in 200,000 supporters for the
rally, which will take place on Constitution Avenue, in front
of the Supreme Court. Shujaat stressed the importance of
proving that PML-Q could activate 200,000 or more supporters
for the event.


3. (C) COMMENT: We stress that Shujaat does not believe
Musharraf's political position is in imminent danger. Nor
does Shujaat believe that any political harm accrued through
the Chief Justice controversy is permanent. Shujaat's job is
to worry about politics and to ensure the PML-Q does well in
the next election; he would not be fulfilling his
responsibilities if he were not concerned over a matter such
as this. What has yet to be seen is if President Musharraf
shares Shujaat's conviction that the Chief Justice question
must be resolved sooner rather than later. End Comment.
BODDE