SINDH - PPP SECRETARY GENERAL RESIGNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KARACHI 000081 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2019 TAGS: PGOV PK SUBJECT: SINDH - PPP SECRETARY GENERAL RESIGNS Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY ACTING CONSUL GENERAL CATHERINE RODRIGUEZ FOR REASONS 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Summary: Former Sindh Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Secretary General Nafis Siddiqui said that he tendered his resignation as the party's leader in Sindh after being passed over for a Senate seat because President Zardari has marginalized long-time PPP members in favor of his close allies. Siddiqui criticized the President's handling of the current confrontation with Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and opined that restoring Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry may be the only solution to the county's current crisis. End summary. ¶2. (C) Nafis Siddiqui told PolOff on March 13 that he relinquished his post as Secretary General of the Sindh Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on March 3 after being passed over for a Senate nomination. He remains a member of the party. Siddiqui stated that he has become increasingly disillusioned by President Zardari, who he claimed is making all of the decisions in the party. Long Time PPP Members Sidelined -------------- ¶3. (C) Siddiqui complained that Zardari has never consulted him on issues with the Sindh PPP. Further, he pointed out that Zardari is marginalizing the PPP "old guard," characterized as long-term members with a close association with the late Benazir Bhutto, in favor of his close allies. Siddiqui said Zardari's allies are relative newcomers to the party and accused them of being corrupt. Governor's Rule a Mistake -------------- ¶4. (C) Siddiqui opposed Zardari's imposition of Governor's rule in Punjab after the Supreme Court declared Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ineligible to hold public office. He roundly criticized the PPP leadership's handling of the situation in Punjab since, terming it undemocratic. He noted that this action has given new impetus to Nawaz Sharif's push to restore former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. Siddiqui conceded that, although he does not support it, restoring Chaudhry may be the only way out of Pakistan's current crisis. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Siddiqui is clearly bitter at being passed over for a Senate seat. However, his resignation highlights a growing rift in the PPP between those who were allied with the late Benazir Bhutto and those who have close relationships with Zardari. RODRIGUEZ