Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LAHORE236
2009-12-21 10:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lahore
Cable title:
PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER ON SARGODHA DETAINEES, NRO, AND OTHER
how-toVZCZCXRO1678 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHLH #0236 3551036 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211036Z DEC 09 FM AMCONSUL LAHORE TO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 4976 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4280 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0535 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0237 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0914 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 2193 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 1873 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 5444
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAHORE 000236
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2034
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS PTER PK
SUBJECT: PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER ON SARGODHA DETAINEES, NRO, AND OTHER
THINGS
CLASSIFIED BY: Bryan D. Hunt, A/Consul General, U.S. Consulate
General Lahore, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
SUMMARY
C O N F I D E N T I A L LAHORE 000236
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2034
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS PTER PK
SUBJECT: PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER ON SARGODHA DETAINEES, NRO, AND OTHER
THINGS
CLASSIFIED BY: Bryan D. Hunt, A/Consul General, U.S. Consulate
General Lahore, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
SUMMARY
1. (C) Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif asked for more time
as Pakistani authorities need to thoroughly investigate the
Sargodha detainees. As the Supreme Court decides on the NRO,
Shahbaz believes the next five weeks are critical and reiterated
the PML-N's position that it wants to see the democratic system
remain intact. He also explained that the military and not
provincial authorities are responsible for the recent two
incidents with ConGen Lahore vehicles. The recent terrorist
attacks in Rawalpindi and Lahore have also conveyed to Shahbaz
that the extremists are targeting all Pakistanis now, and not
just security forces. End Summary.
FULL INVESTIGATION NEEDED
2. (C) In a December 15 meeting with A/CG Hunt, Punjab Chief
Minister Shahbaz Sharif emphasized the need for a thorough
Pakistani investigation of the Sargodha detainees before
considering to deport them or alternatively, to try the
individuals in a Pakistani court. He asked for patience as
Pakistani authorities fully determine whether or not these
individuals had planned on carrying out any terrorist activities
within Pakistan. Shahbaz also agreed to include the FBI in the
Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that has been formed.
ON POLITICS: NEXT FIVE WEEKS CRITICAL
3. (C) Shahbaz said the next five weeks are critical as the
Supreme Court deliberates the validity of the NRO. The next
important question if the NRO is invalidated, he agreed, would
be the fate of President Zardari. Regardless of what happens,
Shahbaz reiterated the PML-N's position that it wants to see the
current democratic system remain intact. Regarding the
constitutional reform package, Shahbaz said he will believe it
when he sees Parliament actually pass it. He seemed skeptical
that it would happen anytime soon as there are still some
outstanding issues to be resolved. Concerning the recent
federal cabinet reshuffle, Shahbaz said it was not enough.
Shahbaz reiterated his view that a thorough housecleaning of
corrupt and incompetent cabinet ministers was key to building
public credibility for the federal government.
STOPPING VEHICLES: IT'S THE MILITARY
4. (SBU) On the recent two incidents of stopping ConGen vehicles
in Lahore at the same military checkpoint, Shahbaz said he had
looked into it but that it was the military and not provincial
authorities that are involved. He suggested calling a meeting
in Islamabad between the MFA, MOI, and MOD to resolve the issue.
VIEWS ON RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS
5. (SBU) Shahbaz said that the extremists, with the recent
attacks at the Rawalpindi mosque and Lahore Moon Market, have
sent the message that they view all Pakistanis, not just the
security forces, as "infidels." In a recent private meeting
with Ulema leaders, he said he delivered a stern message to them
that rather than blaming the U.S. and other forces for these
attacks, they need to take personal responsibility in doing
something about it.
COMMENT
6. (C) Shahbaz was clearly concerned with the increase on
terrorist attacks against civilian targets in the Punjab and its
impact on his government's reputation. He had no new ideas,
however, as to how to move effectively against the organizations
responsible - principally the shadowy Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
Shahbaz was concerned that such groups could easily exploit the
upcoming Moharram processions during which tensions between
rival Islamic sects are traditionally increased. On the
political front, Shahbaz viewed the invalidation of the NRO and
Zardari's dismissal as inevitable and necessary. He was
concerned that the military establishment could move quickly to
fill the political vacuum that such decisions would create if
the PPP did not move quickly to reconcile political differences
with the PML-N and to improve the government's public
credibility. End Comment.
HUNT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2034
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS PTER PK
SUBJECT: PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER ON SARGODHA DETAINEES, NRO, AND OTHER
THINGS
CLASSIFIED BY: Bryan D. Hunt, A/Consul General, U.S. Consulate
General Lahore, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
SUMMARY
1. (C) Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif asked for more time
as Pakistani authorities need to thoroughly investigate the
Sargodha detainees. As the Supreme Court decides on the NRO,
Shahbaz believes the next five weeks are critical and reiterated
the PML-N's position that it wants to see the democratic system
remain intact. He also explained that the military and not
provincial authorities are responsible for the recent two
incidents with ConGen Lahore vehicles. The recent terrorist
attacks in Rawalpindi and Lahore have also conveyed to Shahbaz
that the extremists are targeting all Pakistanis now, and not
just security forces. End Summary.
FULL INVESTIGATION NEEDED
2. (C) In a December 15 meeting with A/CG Hunt, Punjab Chief
Minister Shahbaz Sharif emphasized the need for a thorough
Pakistani investigation of the Sargodha detainees before
considering to deport them or alternatively, to try the
individuals in a Pakistani court. He asked for patience as
Pakistani authorities fully determine whether or not these
individuals had planned on carrying out any terrorist activities
within Pakistan. Shahbaz also agreed to include the FBI in the
Joint Investigation Team (JIT) that has been formed.
ON POLITICS: NEXT FIVE WEEKS CRITICAL
3. (C) Shahbaz said the next five weeks are critical as the
Supreme Court deliberates the validity of the NRO. The next
important question if the NRO is invalidated, he agreed, would
be the fate of President Zardari. Regardless of what happens,
Shahbaz reiterated the PML-N's position that it wants to see the
current democratic system remain intact. Regarding the
constitutional reform package, Shahbaz said he will believe it
when he sees Parliament actually pass it. He seemed skeptical
that it would happen anytime soon as there are still some
outstanding issues to be resolved. Concerning the recent
federal cabinet reshuffle, Shahbaz said it was not enough.
Shahbaz reiterated his view that a thorough housecleaning of
corrupt and incompetent cabinet ministers was key to building
public credibility for the federal government.
STOPPING VEHICLES: IT'S THE MILITARY
4. (SBU) On the recent two incidents of stopping ConGen vehicles
in Lahore at the same military checkpoint, Shahbaz said he had
looked into it but that it was the military and not provincial
authorities that are involved. He suggested calling a meeting
in Islamabad between the MFA, MOI, and MOD to resolve the issue.
VIEWS ON RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS
5. (SBU) Shahbaz said that the extremists, with the recent
attacks at the Rawalpindi mosque and Lahore Moon Market, have
sent the message that they view all Pakistanis, not just the
security forces, as "infidels." In a recent private meeting
with Ulema leaders, he said he delivered a stern message to them
that rather than blaming the U.S. and other forces for these
attacks, they need to take personal responsibility in doing
something about it.
COMMENT
6. (C) Shahbaz was clearly concerned with the increase on
terrorist attacks against civilian targets in the Punjab and its
impact on his government's reputation. He had no new ideas,
however, as to how to move effectively against the organizations
responsible - principally the shadowy Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
Shahbaz was concerned that such groups could easily exploit the
upcoming Moharram processions during which tensions between
rival Islamic sects are traditionally increased. On the
political front, Shahbaz viewed the invalidation of the NRO and
Zardari's dismissal as inevitable and necessary. He was
concerned that the military establishment could move quickly to
fill the political vacuum that such decisions would create if
the PPP did not move quickly to reconcile political differences
with the PML-N and to improve the government's public
credibility. End Comment.
HUNT