Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD4824
2007-11-13 11:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
MGPK01: SITREP 19, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: BHUTTO
how-toVZCZCXRO4572 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #4824 3171113 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 131113Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3141 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7753 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 6687 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2205 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 7994 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 4020 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 2546 RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
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)
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
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