DATE=11/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / ARRESTS (L-ONLY) (CQ)
NUMBER=2-256269
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Military authorities in Pakistan on Wednesday began
arresting politicians and businessmen who have failed to
repay large bank loans by the deadline (November 16) set by
the country's military government. Those charged include
two former Prime Ministers. As Ayaz Gul reports from the
Pakistani capital, the military says the arrests are part
of the new government's anti-corruption campaign.
TEXT: The nation-wide crackdown on what the military
government is calling "willful defaulters" began early
Wednesday, just hours after the deadline set by the
military expired.
A statement issued by the military says authorities
arrested 21 people Wednesday, including former Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif, who "are either big loan defaulters
or involved in corruption or corrupt practices."
// OPT // Mr. Sharif was already in custody. He has been
under detention since last month's military coup. // END
OPT //
In its statement, the military government describes former
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who lives abroad, as "a
proclaimed offender." She would be arrested if she re-
entered Pakistani territory.
After taking power last month, Pakistan's military ruler,
General Pervez Musharraf, ordered the repayment of overdue
state bank loans by November 16th. In a nation-wide
address, he pledged his anti-corruption drive would come
down hard on those who defaulted on their loans.
/// MUSHARRAF ACT ///
As a last chance I urge all defaulters to come forth
and settle their debts within a period of four weeks,
after which their names will be published and the law
will take its due course.
/// END ACT ///
Pakistan's financial institutions are owed billions of
dollars in loans. For years, leading politicians and
businessmen have borrowed money from banks with little or
no collateral. Bankers estimated Wednesday that less than
four percent of those billions of dollars of loans have
been recovered so far.
To provide legal backing for its crackdown on loan
defaulters, the military regime has issued an order saying
that corrupt practices, including willful defaults on
loans, are punishable by up to 14 years in jail. A person
convicted under the new law will be disqualified for 21
years from holding public office.
Pakistan's military authorities have also stepped up
security at airports to prevent loan defaulters from
fleeing the country.
An Islamabad-based political analyst, Syed Talat Hussain,
says the corruption charges against Mr. Sharif and Mrs.
Bhutto may be enough to end their political careers.
/// HUSSAIN ACT ///
By the framing of charges against Nawaz Sharif and
Benazir Bhutto, the military regime seems to be
ensuring that their political careers end here now.
According to the constitution, any politician who is
guilty of committing any wrongdoing can never run for
any public office.
/// END ACT ///
In the past decade, every elected government in Pakistan
has been dismissed on charges of corruption and misrule.
Observers say one reason the military's crackdown is so
popular among the people is that it is targeting political
leaders who used their powers to enrich themselves and
their families. (Signed)
NEB/AG/KL/WTW
17-Nov-1999 12:38 PM EDT (17-Nov-1999 1738 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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