Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAHORE175
2009-09-01 08:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lahore
Cable title:  

SHAHBAZ SHARIF CLAIMS ZARDARI GOVERNMENT LACKS CREDIBILITY

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL PTER TU PK 
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O R 010810Z SEP 09
FM AMCONSUL LAHORE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4158
INFO CIA WASHDC
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 
AMEMBASSY KABUL 
AMCONSUL KARACHI 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 
NSC WASHINGTON DC
AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 
SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
AMCONSUL LAHORE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAHORE 000175 


E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/31/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER TU PK
SUBJECT: SHAHBAZ SHARIF CLAIMS ZARDARI GOVERNMENT LACKS CREDIBILITY

CLASSIFIED BY: Carmela Conroy, Principal Officer, Consulate
Lahore, U.S. Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)


C O N F I D E N T I A L LAHORE 000175


E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/31/2019
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER TU PK
SUBJECT: SHAHBAZ SHARIF CLAIMS ZARDARI GOVERNMENT LACKS CREDIBILITY

CLASSIFIED BY: Carmela Conroy, Principal Officer, Consulate
Lahore, U.S. Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)



1. (C) This is an action request for S/SRAP. Please see para 8.


2. (C) Summary: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif told PO
August 31 that the federal government as lacked credibility,
hampering improvement in economic and social development. He
pledged to prosecute the perpetrators of the August 1 "madness"
against Christians in Gojra and make reparations to their
victims. U.S. assistance to Pakistan should be coordinated with
the provincial government, transparent and well targeted. On
the recent media flurry of bribery accusations, he insisted that
he would remain aloof and focus on governance. He asked that
the U.S. follow up with Turkish authorities on a request that he
made for law enforcement training in Punjab. End Summary.

- - -
The Gojra Violence Was "Madness"
- - -


3. (C) In an August 31 introductory call with Principal Officer,
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif termed the August 1
violence in Gojra village "madness." The police have jailed the
perpetrators, who will remain in prison, despite requests by
relatives and associates that Sharif intervene and release them.
He acknowledged that the local administration should have done
more to prevent the violence. Sharif sacked the Toba Tek Singh
District Coordination Officer (DCO),replacing him with the DCO
from Khanewal District, who had dealt with sectarian strife
before. Sharif also appointed a retired justice to investigate
and report on the incident. The justice recently completed the
interviews for the report; Sharif agreed to share with us the
report once completed.


4. (C) Asked about modifying the blasphemy law to prevent
religious-based violence from recurring, Shahbaz asserted the
current administration lacked the credibility to do so. He
forecasted that a more credible government "further down the
line" could amend the blasphemy law.

- - -
Make Assistance Transparent
- - -


5. (C) Shahbaz asked that the USG work closely with the
provincial governments to plan and program development
assistance in south Punjab. Full transparency would help

residents understand the benefits that the USG brought to
Pakistan. He assessed that the strike on Baitullah Mahsood had
reduced somewhat anti-U.S. sentiment, and properly implemented
assistance programs would capitalize on the more cooperative
mood. He was eager to receive a briefing on the two surveys
conducted by USAID in south Punjab so far.

- - -
Governance Matters, Not Scuttlebutt
- - -


6. (C) Shahbaz decried the recent spate of media reports about
bribes and political deals as distracting from the social and
economic development of the country. He claimed he would remain
aloof from the issue, which hurt the credibility of the
government. He would attempt to convince fellow Pakistan Muslim
League-Nawaz (PML-N) members to avoid gossip at a September 1
party meeting in Raiwind. Dealing with the scuttlebutt wasted
too much energy at a time when Pakistan needed good governance.


7. (C) As an example of bad governance, he pointed out that the
federal government had ignored a recommendation from the
Economic Coordination Committee to import 200 tons of sugar.
The government scrapped the report because of political pressure
from Zardari's cronies, which caused the sugar shortage during
Ramadan, he claimed. The entire government in Islamabad lacked
credibility because of such incidents.

- - -
Action Request: Law Enforcement Training From Turkey
- - -


8. (C) Shahbaz mentioned that he had requested law enforcement
training from the Turkish government several weeks before, but
had not yet received a response. He asked the U.S. to urge
Turkey to reply quickly. Action request: Please inform post of
any response from the Turkish government on law enforcement
training. End request.

- - -
Lahore to New York Direct
- - -


9. (C) PO noted that the press had reported that the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had conducted a
survey of Lahore airport as a first step to approve direct
flights from Lahore to New York. Shahbaz welcomed direct
flights as an important step that would help bring more foreign
investment to Punjab.

- - -
Comment: Shahbaz Wants to Work with U.S.
- - -


10. (C) Shahbaz has maintained a close working relationship with
post, and his (and his brother's) enthusiasm for a partnership
has helped keep Punjab Province a welcoming place for Americans.
Implementing a large development program in south Punjab will
require his continued cooperation. We should respond to his
plea for transparency with a full briefing of the USAID surveys
conducted so far. Furthermore, while the recent TSA survey of
Lahore International Airport could lead the way to direct
flights from Lahore to New York (septel),the start of
much-needed visa services in Lahore would provide another
feather in the cap for the Chief Minister.


CONROY