DATE=11/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN BLAST (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256405
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Authorities in Pakistan are investigating a
bombing at a crowded market in the city of Lahore
which killed six people and injured 20 others on
Saturday. As Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad, militant
supporters of deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif are
reportedly claiming responsibility for the attack.
TEXT: In a statement faxed to Pakistani newspapers, a
previously unknown group, Al-Nawaz (pro-Nawaz Sharif),
says it carried out the bombing to protest what the
group calls "the hijacking of Nawaz Sharif's
government by the military". The group has vowed to
continue such activities until the government of the
former Prime Minister is restored.
Saturday's bombing, occurred in a busy market in Mr.
Sharif's hometown of Lahore.
The former Prime Minister's political party has
disowned the Al-Nawaz group, which is claiming
responsibility for the attack. Raja Zafar-ul-Haq is a
spokesman for Mr. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League
party.
//Haq Act//
The news has been carried in such a manner just to
create doubts about the former Prime Minister. It is a
fake attempt, which is part of disinformation. There
is no such group. It does not exist.
//End Act//
Mr. Sharif was overthrown by the military in a
bloodless coup on October 12th after the former prime
minister tried to sack the army chief, General Pervez
Musharraf, while the general was flying home from Sri
Lanka on a commercial aircraft. The plane was
eventually allowed to land, with fuel left for only
seven more minutes of flight, after the military
seized control of the airport.
Mr. Sharif, now under arrest, is facing charges of
criminal conspiracy to hijack the aircraft by not
allowing it to land at Karachi airport and
thereby endangering the lives of 200 passengers on
board, including General Musharraf. The general is now
the ruler of Pakistan.
The former Prime Minister denies the charges and has
accused the military of hijacking democracy in
Pakistan. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/PLM
21-Nov-1999 07:43 AM EDT (21-Nov-1999 1243 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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