Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KARACHI81
2009-03-14 09:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Karachi
how-toVZCZCXRO9538 PP RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHKP #0081 0730918 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 140918Z MAR 09 FM AMCONSUL KARACHI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0956 INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0418 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0237 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0280 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1825 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 2676 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4559 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
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.
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
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