JAMAAT-I-ISLAMI CONDUCTS PEACEFUL PROTEST IN PESHAWAR

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 003935 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018 TAGS: PTER MOPS PGOV PK SUBJECT: JAMAAT-I-ISLAMI CONDUCTS PEACEFUL PROTEST IN PESHAWAR ¶1. (SBU) Summary. One of the largest Pakistani religious parties, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI),led by its chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, staged a large demonstration in Peshawar to demand that Pakistan stop permitting NATO supplies to flow through the area into Afghanistan. Between 6,000-10,000 protestors participated in the peaceful demonstration, with marchers "blocking" supply routes by clogging the roads. The police were deployed in large numbers; there were no reports of violence, injuries, property damage or arrests. The critical Peshawar-Torkham supply route remained open after the five-hour demonstration. End summary. JI Protest Against Pakistan's Support of U.S. Was Peaceful - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (U) One of Pakistan's largest religious political parties, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI),staged a large street demonstration in Peshawar, from 1200 to 1700 local time, on December 18, to demand that Pakistan cut off NATO supplies heading into Afghanistan and to express disapproval of Pakistani military operations in the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The gathering, led by JI central chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, started with a group of about 500 organizers and protestors near the Frontier Corps' Bala Hisar Fort, several miles from the U.S. Consulate, on Peshawar's main Ring Road. JI leaders offered speeches and prayers. As the afternoon progressed, the crowd grew to at least 6,000, with some press reports claiming the crowd grew to as many as 10,000. Many marchers held JI flags, banners, and signs and chanted slogans opposing NATO supply transport through the area and Pakistan's "pro-US" policies. JI's NWFP President Sirajul Haq stated that the recent attacks on freight terminals in Peshawar were a reaction against Pakistani military operations in the tribal areas. Supply Route Through Khyber Remains Open - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. (SBU) Marchers clogged roads used by the supply convoys, and party workers also hoisted black flags on the routes. The JI march came just days after the NWFP cabinet vowed to provide full protection to NATO supply convoys passing through the province. The NWFP Police deployed large contingents of security in anticipation of the JI rally, and the rainy and cold weather may also have dampened the numbers. There were no reports of violence, injuries, property damage or arrests. The rally did not attempt to approach the U.S. Consulate or the residential housing area where Americans live. The critical supply route through Peshawar and the Khyber Pass remained open after JI's demonstration. The JI Rally Was Strident, But Peaceful - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶4. (SBU) Marchers chanted slogans such as "Down with America," and "Jihad is the only solution for America," but the protest was peaceful. Although many marchers brought American flags to burn in protest, JI's leader, Qazi Hussain Ahmad, prohibited the demonstrators from burning them, stating that JI was not against a country or its people, but against the policies of the American government. JI's December 18 march in Peshawar was the latest in a series of messages appealing to both Pakistani and Pashtun nationalism. Qazi often accuses Pakistan of being a "U.S. slave," and says its rulers stand on the "American side against Muslims in the war of civilizations." JI leaders criticized Pakistan's government for attacking its "brothers" in the tribal areas and called the Awami National Party (ANP) anti-Pashtun, alleging a history of supporting Hindus and the Indian government at the time of partition. PATTERSON