Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD4204
2007-09-28 12:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
SUPREME COURT FREES POLITICAL DETAINEES, OPENS
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004204
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PK
SUBJECT: SUPREME COURT FREES POLITICAL DETAINEES, OPENS
ROADS
REF: ISLAMABAD 4167
Classified By: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004204
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PK
SUBJECT: SUPREME COURT FREES POLITICAL DETAINEES, OPENS
ROADS
REF: ISLAMABAD 4167
Classified By: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (U) On September 27, Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar
Muhammad Chaudhry ordered the release of political party
activists arrested over the September 22-23 weekend and the
lifting of roadblocks throughout and surrounding the capital.
2. (U) At least 100 opposition political party leaders and
activists, including PML-Nawaz in-country leader Javed
Hashmi, had been detained. According to the GOP, their
arrest was necessary "for the maintenance of public order."
(Note: EMBASSY and the EU, separately, issued September 24
statements protesting the detention of opposition party
members. End note.)
3. (U) Although some opposition had planned protests at the
Supreme Court (hearing closing remarks in the Musharraf case)
and the Election Commission (receiving presidential
nomination papers),they were only able to muster about 50
MMA members at any point during this past two-week period.
The GOP made it difficult to demonstrate by establishing road
blocks September 27 and security checks around government
buildings, stopping all traffic from entering the capital.
4. (C) Comment: The Supreme Court's action is another sign of
the judiciary's growing confidence in defending civil
society. Ahead of what is expected to be a pro-Musharraf
verdict, the Court was also burnishing its credentials with
lawyers and opposition figures. End comment.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: PGOV PK
SUBJECT: SUPREME COURT FREES POLITICAL DETAINEES, OPENS
ROADS
REF: ISLAMABAD 4167
Classified By: Ambassador Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (U) On September 27, Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar
Muhammad Chaudhry ordered the release of political party
activists arrested over the September 22-23 weekend and the
lifting of roadblocks throughout and surrounding the capital.
2. (U) At least 100 opposition political party leaders and
activists, including PML-Nawaz in-country leader Javed
Hashmi, had been detained. According to the GOP, their
arrest was necessary "for the maintenance of public order."
(Note: EMBASSY and the EU, separately, issued September 24
statements protesting the detention of opposition party
members. End note.)
3. (U) Although some opposition had planned protests at the
Supreme Court (hearing closing remarks in the Musharraf case)
and the Election Commission (receiving presidential
nomination papers),they were only able to muster about 50
MMA members at any point during this past two-week period.
The GOP made it difficult to demonstrate by establishing road
blocks September 27 and security checks around government
buildings, stopping all traffic from entering the capital.
4. (C) Comment: The Supreme Court's action is another sign of
the judiciary's growing confidence in defending civil
society. Ahead of what is expected to be a pro-Musharraf
verdict, the Court was also burnishing its credentials with
lawyers and opposition figures. End comment.
PATTERSON