Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KARACHI784
2007-11-06 12:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Karachi
Cable title:
SINDH GOVERNOR SUMMONS THE CONSULAR CORPS TO HIGH
how-toVZCZCXRO9810 PP RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHKP #0784/01 3101230 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 061230Z NOV 07 ZDK CTG RUEHSD 0028 3110307(VOL TO OTHERS) FM AMCONSUL KARACHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0161 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 3742 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0203 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 2408 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4282
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KARACHI 000784
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ASEC CASC PK
SUBJECT: SINDH GOVERNOR SUMMONS THE CONSULAR CORPS TO HIGH
TEA
REF: ISLAMABAD 4728
KARACHI 00000784 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Consul General Kay Anske, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KARACHI 000784
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ASEC CASC PK
SUBJECT: SINDH GOVERNOR SUMMONS THE CONSULAR CORPS TO HIGH
TEA
REF: ISLAMABAD 4728
KARACHI 00000784 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Consul General Kay Anske, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On November 5, 2007, the Governor of
Sindh summoned all Consuls General for a meeting to explain
and justify the recent declaration of a State of Emergency.
Within the one-sided conversation, the Governor touched upon
press freedom, judicial activism, and how the abuse of
freedom by the media and courts was adversely affecting the
economy and the Global War on Terror (GWOT). End summary.
2. (C) On November 5, 2007, Governor of Sindh
Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan summoned all Consuls General to
Governor,s House for &Hi-Tea8. There were 2 teas held )
one for Islamic nations and one for all others. Among those
countries represented at the &others8 were China, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania (Trade Rep only),
Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, UK, and US. The &others8
tea lasted close to two hours. (Note: The Governor is a
member of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM),which is in the
ruling party,s coalition. End note.)
--------------
The State of Emergency
--------------
3. (C) The Governor started the meeting by giving the three
main reasons for the State of Emergency (SOE) ) to stop the
de-stabilization process; terrorist activity, especially the
recent upsurge; and judicial activism. He stated that only
certain clauses of the Constitution were suspended. Thus
this SOE is actually strengthening, not weakening, Pakistan.
4. (C) This was the first time in Pakistan,s history that
the Parliament would be completing its term. The GoP wants a
free and fair election and a smooth transition. To achieve
this, the GoP entered into a reconciliation process and made
compromises with the opposition. The GoP had &cautiously8
allowed freedom of the media. Musharraf was the only leader
to have done so; no previous leader had permitted freedom to
the media. In addition, the judiciary had been allowed to
freely decide cases. However, both the media and the
judiciary had abused their freedom.
5. (C) The GoP has focused on economic development,
infrastructure, privatization, liberalization, and
development of all sectors in both urban and rural areas. If
statistics of today are compared with those of 5 or 6 years
ago, significant progress could be seen. The biggest
achievements of Musharraf have been: Parliament completing
its term, freedom of the media, and freedom of the judiciary.
All this has lead to economic progress, stronger defense,
and reconciliation.
6. (C) The Governor said that the decision to go to a State
of Emergency was taken in good faith. In the past, emergency
actions were taken only to topple a government. Today, the
emergency was declared to sustain the present Government
until Parliament finishes its term and new elections are held.
7. (C) Pakistan is committed to the Global War on Terrorism
(GWOT) and is a front line state in fighting terrorism. In
order to fight terrorism, a country needed a stable economy.
Unfortunately, the media and the judiciary, by abusing their
freedom, were endangering the economic progress that had been
achieved.
8. (C) In the meetings leading to the declaring of the SOE,
various options were discussed. According to the Governor,
all attending agreed that Musharraf had provided the strong
leadership needed to sustain the GWOT. Therefore, Pakistan
could not afford to have Musharraf leave office.
Unfortunately, the backlash is from political parties unable
to win votes and therefore, who have exploited the freedom of
the media and judiciary for their own ends.
--------------
Judicial Activism
--------------
9. (C) In the past few months, the judiciary had taken over
the job of the executive branch. The courts were
over-exuberant and making rulings on sui moto filings that
should never have been filed with the courts. About 1,000
sui moto motions were still pending. The courts were
releasing accused criminals and terrorists before
investigations were completed. In Sindh, 48 terrorists,
including Akram Lahori (sic),were declared acquitted with no
reasons provided. The executive branch was &blocked8 by
the courts and a lot of time was spent in traveling and
KARACHI 00000784 002.2 OF 003
testifying before the courts. With court appearances and the
court ordered activities, the executive branch was neglecting
its usual work. As a result, terrorists were permitted to
freely go about their business (of terror).
10. (C) In the province of Sindh, there has been 100
percent success in solving terrorism cases in the last 5-6
years. This was not easy to do given the very size of
Karachi. The GoP has reached out to the grassroots to make
contact with people. Thus, when something bad happens, there
is no resentment or resulting violence.
--------------
The Media
--------------
11. (C) The Governor said that Musharraf had given freedom
to the media and continues to be committed to freedom for the
media. However, a few news people imposed or inserted
political opinion into their news reports. As a result,
&little negative8 things were blown out of proportion. The
economic situation had progressed greatly under Musharraf.
But economic progress was being derailed by the over-activity
of the courts and the media.
12. (C) The GoP is committed to strengthening the political
structure, which includes freedoms such as freedom of the
press. The media in the United Kingdom and United States do
not show terrorism in a &depressing8 manner. But in
Pakistan, the media gives a bad view, showing Pakistan as a
failed state and thus the media needs more time to mature.
The Governor emphasized that the GoP could not allow such bad
views and exaggeration. The number one priority of the media
should be the national interest, not their own individual
interests. The GoP wants a media that is objective and will
work for the national interest.
--------------
The Upcoming Elections
--------------
13. (C) When asked if the elections were to be delayed, the
Governor responded that any delay would be in accordance with
the Constitution. To have elections, a peaceful environment
was needed. Musharraf is committed to holding elections on
time and not dissolving Parliament. The SOE meant that there
was not a peaceful environment conducive to holding
elections. However, the decision to delay the elections had
not yet been made.
14. (C) Parliament is the supreme body and it chose
Musharraf to be President with 57 percent of the votes cast.
Since Parliament is elected and represents the voters, one
could argue that 57 percent of the electorate chose Musharraf
to be President. The majority of Pakistanis is moderate and
continues to support Musharraf.
15. (C) When asked about allowing political activity, the
Governor responded that the GoP must protect the ordinary
citizen. It had been criticized for not taking action sooner
with the Red Mosque incident. The GoP continues to arrest
suspects but the courts continue to release them. In at
least one case, the released suspected terrorist then went on
to commit other acts of terrorism. Therefore, in order to
protect its citizens, the GoP must control political
activity. Extraordinary circumstances needed extraordinary
responses.
--------------
And in conclusion((.
--------------
16. (C) The Governor stated that total freedom is simply
not possible, as terrorists will exploit the freedom. A
government must balance the Constitution and freedoms granted
with the need to protect society. The Governor stated that
it had been a mistake to grant so much freedom in such a
short period of time. Therefore, the GoP must now limit
freedom.
17. (C) The Governor concluded by repeating that Pakistan
is a moderate state. The GoP could not allow extremists to
take control, not even in certain parts. Therefore, the GoP
was activating the &silent majority8 through the
declaration of the SOE.
--------------
Comment
--------------
18. (C) The meeting was more of a staged event with the
press present for at least half of the meeting. The Governor
justified the State of Emergency, as would be expected. It
KARACHI 00000784 003.2 OF 003
appeared that the Governor had been given a set of talking
points, which he repeated in different words, again and
again. Only the US CG and the UK (representing HMG and EU)
expressed their respective Governments, grave concerns.
Hopefully the messages from the UK, EU and US were understood
and forwarded to Islamabad.
19. (C) On a different note, about the same time as this
&hi-tea8 with the Governor, just a block or so away, the
police were storming the Bar Association Room at the Sindh
High Court, beating attorneys with their police batons and
arresting about 50 attorneys. Also about the same time, just
down the street from the Governor,s House, the police and
Rangers were storming the Karachi Press Club, beating
protestors with their police batons and arresting journalists
and political leaders.
ANSKE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ASEC CASC PK
SUBJECT: SINDH GOVERNOR SUMMONS THE CONSULAR CORPS TO HIGH
TEA
REF: ISLAMABAD 4728
KARACHI 00000784 001.2 OF 003
Classified By: Consul General Kay Anske, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On November 5, 2007, the Governor of
Sindh summoned all Consuls General for a meeting to explain
and justify the recent declaration of a State of Emergency.
Within the one-sided conversation, the Governor touched upon
press freedom, judicial activism, and how the abuse of
freedom by the media and courts was adversely affecting the
economy and the Global War on Terror (GWOT). End summary.
2. (C) On November 5, 2007, Governor of Sindh
Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan summoned all Consuls General to
Governor,s House for &Hi-Tea8. There were 2 teas held )
one for Islamic nations and one for all others. Among those
countries represented at the &others8 were China, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania (Trade Rep only),
Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, UK, and US. The &others8
tea lasted close to two hours. (Note: The Governor is a
member of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM),which is in the
ruling party,s coalition. End note.)
--------------
The State of Emergency
--------------
3. (C) The Governor started the meeting by giving the three
main reasons for the State of Emergency (SOE) ) to stop the
de-stabilization process; terrorist activity, especially the
recent upsurge; and judicial activism. He stated that only
certain clauses of the Constitution were suspended. Thus
this SOE is actually strengthening, not weakening, Pakistan.
4. (C) This was the first time in Pakistan,s history that
the Parliament would be completing its term. The GoP wants a
free and fair election and a smooth transition. To achieve
this, the GoP entered into a reconciliation process and made
compromises with the opposition. The GoP had &cautiously8
allowed freedom of the media. Musharraf was the only leader
to have done so; no previous leader had permitted freedom to
the media. In addition, the judiciary had been allowed to
freely decide cases. However, both the media and the
judiciary had abused their freedom.
5. (C) The GoP has focused on economic development,
infrastructure, privatization, liberalization, and
development of all sectors in both urban and rural areas. If
statistics of today are compared with those of 5 or 6 years
ago, significant progress could be seen. The biggest
achievements of Musharraf have been: Parliament completing
its term, freedom of the media, and freedom of the judiciary.
All this has lead to economic progress, stronger defense,
and reconciliation.
6. (C) The Governor said that the decision to go to a State
of Emergency was taken in good faith. In the past, emergency
actions were taken only to topple a government. Today, the
emergency was declared to sustain the present Government
until Parliament finishes its term and new elections are held.
7. (C) Pakistan is committed to the Global War on Terrorism
(GWOT) and is a front line state in fighting terrorism. In
order to fight terrorism, a country needed a stable economy.
Unfortunately, the media and the judiciary, by abusing their
freedom, were endangering the economic progress that had been
achieved.
8. (C) In the meetings leading to the declaring of the SOE,
various options were discussed. According to the Governor,
all attending agreed that Musharraf had provided the strong
leadership needed to sustain the GWOT. Therefore, Pakistan
could not afford to have Musharraf leave office.
Unfortunately, the backlash is from political parties unable
to win votes and therefore, who have exploited the freedom of
the media and judiciary for their own ends.
--------------
Judicial Activism
--------------
9. (C) In the past few months, the judiciary had taken over
the job of the executive branch. The courts were
over-exuberant and making rulings on sui moto filings that
should never have been filed with the courts. About 1,000
sui moto motions were still pending. The courts were
releasing accused criminals and terrorists before
investigations were completed. In Sindh, 48 terrorists,
including Akram Lahori (sic),were declared acquitted with no
reasons provided. The executive branch was &blocked8 by
the courts and a lot of time was spent in traveling and
KARACHI 00000784 002.2 OF 003
testifying before the courts. With court appearances and the
court ordered activities, the executive branch was neglecting
its usual work. As a result, terrorists were permitted to
freely go about their business (of terror).
10. (C) In the province of Sindh, there has been 100
percent success in solving terrorism cases in the last 5-6
years. This was not easy to do given the very size of
Karachi. The GoP has reached out to the grassroots to make
contact with people. Thus, when something bad happens, there
is no resentment or resulting violence.
--------------
The Media
--------------
11. (C) The Governor said that Musharraf had given freedom
to the media and continues to be committed to freedom for the
media. However, a few news people imposed or inserted
political opinion into their news reports. As a result,
&little negative8 things were blown out of proportion. The
economic situation had progressed greatly under Musharraf.
But economic progress was being derailed by the over-activity
of the courts and the media.
12. (C) The GoP is committed to strengthening the political
structure, which includes freedoms such as freedom of the
press. The media in the United Kingdom and United States do
not show terrorism in a &depressing8 manner. But in
Pakistan, the media gives a bad view, showing Pakistan as a
failed state and thus the media needs more time to mature.
The Governor emphasized that the GoP could not allow such bad
views and exaggeration. The number one priority of the media
should be the national interest, not their own individual
interests. The GoP wants a media that is objective and will
work for the national interest.
--------------
The Upcoming Elections
--------------
13. (C) When asked if the elections were to be delayed, the
Governor responded that any delay would be in accordance with
the Constitution. To have elections, a peaceful environment
was needed. Musharraf is committed to holding elections on
time and not dissolving Parliament. The SOE meant that there
was not a peaceful environment conducive to holding
elections. However, the decision to delay the elections had
not yet been made.
14. (C) Parliament is the supreme body and it chose
Musharraf to be President with 57 percent of the votes cast.
Since Parliament is elected and represents the voters, one
could argue that 57 percent of the electorate chose Musharraf
to be President. The majority of Pakistanis is moderate and
continues to support Musharraf.
15. (C) When asked about allowing political activity, the
Governor responded that the GoP must protect the ordinary
citizen. It had been criticized for not taking action sooner
with the Red Mosque incident. The GoP continues to arrest
suspects but the courts continue to release them. In at
least one case, the released suspected terrorist then went on
to commit other acts of terrorism. Therefore, in order to
protect its citizens, the GoP must control political
activity. Extraordinary circumstances needed extraordinary
responses.
--------------
And in conclusion((.
--------------
16. (C) The Governor stated that total freedom is simply
not possible, as terrorists will exploit the freedom. A
government must balance the Constitution and freedoms granted
with the need to protect society. The Governor stated that
it had been a mistake to grant so much freedom in such a
short period of time. Therefore, the GoP must now limit
freedom.
17. (C) The Governor concluded by repeating that Pakistan
is a moderate state. The GoP could not allow extremists to
take control, not even in certain parts. Therefore, the GoP
was activating the &silent majority8 through the
declaration of the SOE.
--------------
Comment
--------------
18. (C) The meeting was more of a staged event with the
press present for at least half of the meeting. The Governor
justified the State of Emergency, as would be expected. It
KARACHI 00000784 003.2 OF 003
appeared that the Governor had been given a set of talking
points, which he repeated in different words, again and
again. Only the US CG and the UK (representing HMG and EU)
expressed their respective Governments, grave concerns.
Hopefully the messages from the UK, EU and US were understood
and forwarded to Islamabad.
19. (C) On a different note, about the same time as this
&hi-tea8 with the Governor, just a block or so away, the
police were storming the Bar Association Room at the Sindh
High Court, beating attorneys with their police batons and
arresting about 50 attorneys. Also about the same time, just
down the street from the Governor,s House, the police and
Rangers were storming the Karachi Press Club, beating
protestors with their police batons and arresting journalists
and political leaders.
ANSKE