LAHORE EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING MEETS TO DISCUSS

UNCLAS LAHORE 000046 DEPT FOR DS, D, P, M, CA, S/CT INR, SCA, DS/IP/SCA AND DS/CC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER AMGT CACS PK SUBJECT: LAHORE EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING MEETS TO DISCUSS THE "LONG MARCH ¶1. (U) Lahore's EAC convened on Thursday, March 12, 2009 to review the impact the "Long March" on Islamabad, planned by lawyers, PML(N),Jamat-e-Islam and Tehreek-e-Insaf political parties in Pakistan, will have on the Punjab Province. The EAC was chaired by the Principal Officer. In attendance were representatives from RSO, MGT, RAO, PAO, IROG and IPC. ¶2. (U) The "Long March" is expected to travel the length of the Punjab province March 13-15. Senior political officials from the above parties have declared that this will be a peaceful march. The Government of the Punjab has established security plans to deal with the "Long March." ¶3. (U) The GOP invoked on March 11th sections 144-160 of the Pakistani Criminal Penal Code in order to ensure the "maintenance of public order." "Section 144" allows the police to arrest any persons gathered in a groups of more than 5 individuals. Tensions are beginning to run high and the Punjab Police have started to make arrests. Presently those arrested have been lower level political activists of the above political parties who the Police have deemed possible agitators. ¶4. (U) Due to the unpredictability of the course of action the Government of The Punjab will take and the consequent counter-actions of the marchers, the situation remains very fluid, civil unrest is a distinct possibility. ¶5. (U) A Warden Message has been coordinated with Embassy Islamabad. ¶6. (U) The EAC reviewed the current security measures that are in place and determined that the security level of the Consulate is at an acceptable level. Post employees will be reminded to maintain a low profile when possible and to minimize their exposure to possible threats. ¶7. (U). RSO briefed local guard force, surveillance detection team members, Principle Officer's body guards, Police escort units and motor pool drivers to be extra vigilant. ¶8. (U) Post will continue to monitor the situation. HUNT