MGPK01: SITREP 15, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: BHUTTO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 004814

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PK AEMR AMGT CASC KFLO PINR
SUBJECT: MGPK01: SITREP 15, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: BHUTTO
RETURNS HOME

REF: ISLAMABAD 4809

Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Summary: Pakistan People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto
retreated back into her house late November 9 after
attempting to go to Rawalpindi to lead her party's
demonstration. Her Islamabad home is now surrounded by
police and barricades, a virtual if not yet official house
arrest. Bhutto vowed to continue the protests.
Demonstrations continued in other large cities today; many
were peaceful, though PPP gatherings often resulted in
clashes and/or arrests. The home of Federal Minister for
Public Affairs in Peshawar was bombed, killing four; all
Consulate Peshawar personnel are accounted for and the CG
does not recommend further travel restrictions.. Islamabad
CG confirmed that AmCit Hashmat Dilawari was arrested
November 6 at the Lahore courthouse, and has been transferred
to Central Jail. Embassy is attempting to get access to
Dilawari. Mission operations continue normally. End summary.

Bhutto Returns Home
--------------


2. (C) Police successfully prevented Pakistan People's Party
(PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto from traveling to Rawalpindi to
attend the scheduled PPP rally. RSO sources report that
police baton-charged the crowd and arrested about 50
supporters who had gathered outside the house. As of 1700,
Bhutto had returned to her house. A high-level PPP source
with Bhutto reported that no arrest warrant had been served;
therefore, the party considered today's events to be an
illegal confinement. Jersey barriers now block Bhutto's
street.


3. (U) Speaking to the media on the scene, Bhutto announced
that "I have ended talks with the government." She also
called for protests to continue, adding "I do not fear death,
only Allah." In part responding to our talking points,
Bhutto claimed that her actions "are not meant to polarize
the situation" but to lead Pakistan to true democracy.

AmCit Arrested
--------------


4. (C) Islamabad CG confirmed that an AmCit, Hashmat
Dilawari, was arrested November 6 at the Lahore courthouse.
According to his son in the U.S., Dilawari was visiting a
friend and not part of the protests there the same day. The
Deputy Director of Prisons for Punjab confirmed that Dilawari
has been transferred to Central Jail Jehlum. Embassy was
informed that access would not be granted without a formal
request; a diplomatic note is with the MFA. We understand he
has a heart condition.

Protests; Some Violence
--------------


5. (C) Approximately 5,000 police continue to patrol
Rawalpindi. RSO sources report that police fired tear gas at
a caravan of PPP workers trying to make their way to the PPP
rally site and have fired rubber bullets into the crowd,
though Post has not received information on the size of the
crowd.


6. (C) CG Peshawar reported that a bomb exploded at the house
of Amir Muqam, Federal Minister for Political Affairs and
President of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) in the
Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). The attack occurred in
Hayatabad, a Peshawar suburb about a 10-minute drive from the
U.S. Consulate. According to media reports, 4 were killed
very near the house -- three security staff and the suicide
bomber. All Consulate personnel are accounted for and CG
Peshawar does not recommend any further travel restrictions
beyond those already in place.


7. (U) Several rallies in Peshawar and throughout the NWFP
took place on November 9. CG Peshawar reported a heavy
police presence, and a lack of high-ranking opposition
leaders at most rallies. Tear gas was reportedly used to

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disburse the gathering of 50 PPP supporters in front of
Peshawar's Chamber of Commerce. The demonstration called by
the All Pakistan Democratic Movement (APDM) only drew about
100 people.


8. (U) A dozen young people burned tires in Karachi's PPP
stronghold of Lyari in protest of Bhutto's house arrest, as
reported in the media. Up to 100 journalists assembled at
the Karachi Press Club to observe a "black day." There were
no reports of arrests or violence at either site.


9. (U) CG Lahore met November 9 with Asma Jahangir,
chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. The
CG commented to the assembled press that he reiterated the
USG's commitment to elections and call on Musharraf to resign
as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

PATTERSON