DATE=7/25/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK-KASHMIR PROTEST (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252128
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Tens of thousands of Islamists have taken part
in a rally (Sunday) in the Pakistani city of Lahore to
condemn prime minister Nawaz Sharif for his decision
to pull-back Muslim militants from Indian Kashmir.
Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad.
Text: this was the most significant street
demonstration by Pakistan's Islamists since Pakistani-
backed guerrillas pulled out of Indian territory in
Kashmir a week ago.
The anti-government rally, staged by Pakistan's main
religious party,Jamaat-I-Islami, marched through the
main streets of Lahore, prime minister Sharif's
hometown.
Several speakers at the huge rally called mr. Sharif a
traitor and accused him of betraying the Kashmir cause
by asking militants to leave the Indian side of the
disputed region.
The head of the Islamic party, Q-a-z-i hussain Ahmed,
announced his party will organize more such anti-
government protests unless Mr. Sharif steps down.
Mr. Hussain and his party believes prime minister
Sharif bowed to pressure from Washington when he
agreed to meet in Washington with president Clinton,
earlier this month on the Kashmir issue.
The Pakistani government argues that the withdrawal
agreement came only after president Clinton promised
to take personal interest in settling the Kashmir
dispute with India.
The Muslim guerrillas' incursion into Indian Kashmir
in early may raised military tensions between India
and Pakistan to a point that threatened a full-scale
war.
The Kashmir dispute has led to two wars between India
and Pakistan since the partition of British India in
1947. New Delhi controls two-thirds of Kashmir and
Islamabad the rest. (signed)
Neb/Ag/pt
25-Jul-1999 18:20 PM LOC (25-Jul-1999 2220 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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