Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KARACHI168
2009-05-13 02:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Karachi
Cable title:  

KARACHI --- ALL QUIET ON MAY 12

Tags:  PGOV PK 
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VZCZCXRO2781
RR RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHKP #0168 1330237
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 130237Z MAY 09
FM AMCONSUL KARACHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1084
INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0545
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0330
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0288
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1878
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4620
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 2737
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS KARACHI 000168 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PK
SUBJECT: KARACHI --- ALL QUIET ON MAY 12

UNCLAS KARACHI 000168

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PK
SUBJECT: KARACHI --- ALL QUIET ON MAY 12


1. (SBU) Summary: After weeks of tense negotiations and
anticipation of violence, May 12 appears to be passing without
incident. The local holiday declared by the Provincial government,
coupled with a heavy visible police presence throughout the city has
effectively kept the peace. End Summary.


2. (SBU) The streets of Karachi are quiet on May 12. The local
holiday declared by the Provincial government had the desired effect
of keeping most people off the streets and appears to have reduced
the likelihood of violence. Both the police and the Rangers are out
in force with a heavy visible presence and have established patrols
with check points in areas prone to violence.


3. (SBU) In conversations with representatives of the political
parties and government leadership, the response to Post was
virtually unanimous in that no one believed violence would occur in
Karachi on May 12. Everyone pointed to the deployment of large
numbers of security personnel into violence prone areas of the city
as a major factor in quelling any opportunities for unrest. If the
situation continues to remain calm they expect that people will
venture out in the evening and business will slowly return to
normal.


4. (SBU) Comment: After weeks of increasing tension, May 12 seems
to be a non-event in Karachi. This success, however, is largely due
to the heavy security presence throughout the city and the
unwillingness of the political parties in Karachi to chance their
being blamed for creating unrest and instability in the city.
Meanwhile the political parties continue to publicly jockey for the
advantage and the latest MQM and ANP exchange in the press could
presage political and ethnic discord in the future. End comment.




FAKAN