SINDH - ETHNIC VIOLENCE ESCALATES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KARACHI 000152

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (TEXT - PARA 2)
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER PK
SUBJECT: SINDH - ETHNIC VIOLENCE ESCALATES

REF: A: Karachi 138
B: 08 Karachi 477
C: 08 Karachi 426
D: 08 Karachi 627

KARACHI 00000152 001.2 OF 002


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Summary
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1. (SBU) Ethnic violence erupted again in Karachi and
has left at least 30 people dead and more than 50
injured. The fighting between the Muttahida Qaumi
Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) has sent
tremors throughout the city as more violence is
anticipated. Schools remained closed on Thursday and a
"shoot on sight" order issued by the Provincial
government remains in effect. End Summary

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Dispute Ignites Violence
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2. (SBU) In the past few weeks, low scale ethnic
violence has threatened the fragile peace in Karachi and
stories varying from a money-lending collection dispute
to a land grab gone wrong have all been offered as
possible causes for this latest round of bloodshed. On
Wednesday, the violence erupted into full scale fighting
that lasted throughout Wednesday night and into Thursday
morning and generated a "shoot on sight" order from
Provincial authorities trying to regain control of the
situation.


3. (SBU) All told, the violence left between thirty and
thirty-five people dead and dozens wounded, including two
Rangers and six police. Of the dead, the vast majority
are Pashtun. Estimates of property set on fire include
twenty vehicles, five hotels, twenty-six shops, and four
houses. Between 25 and 50 persons have been arrested and
weapons and ammunition confiscated. Reports received by
Post indicate all the arrested are Pashtuns.


4. (U) The fighting, normally confined to smaller
segments of the city, began in North Karachi, but swiftly
moved into the other areas, including New Karachi,
Banaras, Gulshan-e-Jauhar, Orangi Town, Sarjani Town, and
Shah Faisal Colony, and to within 8 kilometers of the Consulate
compound.


5. (SBU) Schools closed on Thursday and traffic was
unusually light on KarachiQs normally bustling streets.
As nervous citizens remained at home, and many businesses
remained shuttered, an emergency security meeting was
called by the Provincial government. Lasting nearly six
hours, and chaired by the Chief Minister, the meeting was
attended by political party leadership, security and
government officials and culminated with a press
conference during which the key stakeholders made
statements that eschewed violence and assured everyone
that all was well.

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Leaders Blame Each Other
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6. (SBU) As MQM and the ANP began their normal round of
finger-pointing, Government interlocutors were very clear
they blame both the ANP and MQM for their obstinate
stands and unwillingness to listen or work with each
other.


7. (SBU) Raza Haroon, an MQM Minister, said the
showdown has been coming for the past several weeks. He
states the trouble began when Pashtuns started incursions
from North Karachi to attack villages that support MQM.
Mr. Haroon further opined that ANP leadership was no
longer able to control their supporters. He said the
police were absent from North Karachi when the violence
began, and that if the Rangers had not intervened the
death toll would be higher.


KARACHI 00000152 002.2 OF 002



8. (SBU) Shahi Syed, President of ANP, believes the
situation is much more sinister than a land dispute. If
a land dispute were the cause, he said, the violence
would have been confined to one area of the city, and not
spread as widely. He claims the violence is the result
of a conspiracy to destabilize the country, and in
particular to discredit the ANP for their role in the
NWFP agreement. According to Syed, 32 Pashtuns were
killed in Wednesday's violence.

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Comment
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9. (SBU) Fortunately, May 1 is Pakistan Labor Day and
most businesses and government offices will be closed.
There is some fear that violence might resurge following
Friday prayers but the hope is that on Friday and
throughout the weekend, government and party officials
will work behind the scenes to dampen down tempers so
that some semblance of calm can be regained.


10. (SBU) The ongoing tension between MQM and ANP has
steadily escalated as the May 12 commemoration day for
ANP members who were gunned down in the city draws near.
The ANP blame the MQM for the deaths and rumors of
planned violence have been circulating widely throughout
the city. The government has been working frantically
behind the scenes with both parties to reach a compromise
that will satisfy the ANP call for a commemoration of the
dead that does add further names to the list.
WednesdayQs violence garnered national attention, and the
Prime Minister plans to visit Karachi on Friday.

FAKAN