DATE=10/14/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK COUP / L
NUMBER=2-255003
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: While Pakistan waits to hear from the leader
of this week's military coup, the army has sealed off
the nation's parliament. As V-O-A's Scott Anger
reports, editorials in the country's newspapers have
joined the international community in calling for a
restoration of democracy in Pakistan, which has seen
23 years of military rule during its 52-year history.
TEXT: Two days after Army Chief General Pervez
Musharraf overthrew the civilian government of
Pakistan, people are still waiting to hear the
military's plan for the country. Despite a meeting
between the army chief and Pakistani President Rafiq
Tarar, there has been no official word on a new
government or what form it will take.
Ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif remains under house
arrest at an unknown location, somewhere outside
Islamabad. Most of his cabinet members and a number
of high-ranking government officials are being held,
as well.
Meanwhile, reports in the Pakistani press quote an
army spokesman as saying the military has evidence Mr.
Sharif conspired against the army and that he has
leaked defense secrets. The spokesman did not
elaborate on the charge.
No restrictions have been placed on the news media or
political parties in Pakistan. But 400 people aligned
with the deposed prime minister are reported to have
been barred from leaving the country.
Editorials in Thursday's English-language Pakistani
newspapers are calling for the restoration of
democracy as soon as possible. The "Daily Dawn,"
based in Karachi, says the brief statement by General
Musharraf on the day of the coup failed to explain the
army's role or how long the current situation will
last. The newspaper blames Mr. Sharif for forcing
the military's take over by lusting for supreme power
and for weakening the democratic process in Pakistan.
The editorial says it is difficult to defend Mr.
Sharif.
The "Daily Nation," says the constitutional amendments
Mr. Sharif introduced were aimed at concentrating
absolute rule in one person. The newspaper accuses
Mr. Sharif of silencing of political dissent.
The Peshawar-based "Frontier Post" says the army must
ensure speedy, even-handed accountability of
Pakistan's corrupt elements. The editorial refers to
allegations of corruption surrounding successive
governments in Pakistan, including the ousted Sharif
government. Since the restoration of democracy in
Pakistan in 1988, all four governments have been
dismissed on charges of corruption and misrule.
The military quickly removed the 32-month government
of Nawaz Sharif Tuesday after he dismissed General
Musharraf as chief of the Pakistan Army. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA / wd
14-Oct-1999 06:30 AM EDT (14-Oct-1999 1030 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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