MGPK01: SITREP 19, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: BHUTTO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004824 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2017 TAGS: AEMR AMGT CASC KFLO PGOV PINR PK PREL SUBJECT: MGPK01: SITREP 19, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: BHUTTO UNDER HOUSE ARREST AGAIN REF: ISLAMABAD 4818 Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, Reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The GOP placed PPP leader Bhutto under house arrest and deployed several thousand police in Lahore, who are now (1330 local) clashing with PPP activists staging a "Long March" from Lahore to Islamabad. As Interior Minister promised Ambassador, the GOP last night released Amcit Hashmat Dilawari from prison. The reconstituted Supreme Court yesterday heard two cases challenging the state of emergency. The Army stepped up operations in Swat. Mission offices continue to operate normally. End summary. ¶2. (C) The GOP overnight placed Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto under house arrest for one week in Lahore and continued arrests of PPP supporters in the area. Consulate Lahore reports that the police are using tear gas and baton charges to break up the start of the PPP's planned "Long March" from Lahore to Islamabad. The demonstration is being led in Bhutto's absence by local PPP leader Shah Mahmood. Several thousand police are deployed around Lahore to stop the march. ¶3. (C) Lahore CG met with Bhutto last night (septel) where she claimed the political situation would force her to end negotiations with Musharraf. We do not yet have a local reaction to Bhutto's CNN interview because cable access to CNN remains blocked. ¶4. (C) As Interior Secretary Sherpao promised Ambassador, the Government of Pakistan last night released AmCit Hashmat Dilawari from prison. In a conversation with the Embassy, his family stated he is in good condition. ¶5. (U) A nine-member reconstituted Supreme Court yesterday heard two cases challenging the state of emergency. The Court will resume hearing the cases on Wednesday, according to press. Two more judges were sworn in to the Supreme Court today, bringing the total number of Supreme Court judges to 11, according to press. This paves the way for the Court to begin hearing the pending case on Musharraf's re-election as President. ¶6. (C) A loose group of civil society organizations, media, NGOs, labor unions, and citizens are planning a protest November 14 in Islamabad, according to mission contacts. ¶7. (U) The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group yesterday "condemned the abrogation of the Constitution of Pakistan" and gave Pakistan ten days to restore its constitution and lift the state of emergency or face suspension from the Commonwealth. ¶8. (U) The press reported increased Army deployments and anti-militant operations in Swat. Musharraf indicated November 12 that the GOP would step up actions against extremists in the area. ¶9. (U) Peshawar CG reports that NWFP was relatively quiet yesterday, with isolated and peaceful protests. Several of the smaller religious and nationalist parties, lawyers, and several NGOs are planning separate protests today in Peshawar. The Pakistan Muslim-League Nawaz is planning a protest there on Thursday. ¶10. (U) Some international TV news channels, including SkyNews and Fox, are back on the air, but BBC, CNN, and most local news outlets remain blocked. PATTERSON