DATE=11/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN - SHARIF (L)
NUMBER=2-256432
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KARACHI
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A judge in Pakistan has ruled that former
prime minister Nawaz Sharif be held in jail until his
next court appearance Friday in Karachi. As
Correspondent Scott Anger reports, Mr. Sharif and four
others have been accused of hijacking, kidnapping, and
attempted murder -- charges which could carry the
death penalty.
TEXT: Judge Remat Hussain Jafri told his crowded
courtroom Monday, that there is no justification for
keeping Nawaz Sharif in police custody for further
questioning. The judge remanded him to judicial
custody in Karachi's central jail.
Mr. Sharif looked composed throughout the two-hour
hearing and quietly told reporters during a break in
the proceedings that he and four others accused had
done nothing wrong.
/// SHARIF ACT ///
We will fight out this case because we are
innocent, we know we have not done anything
wrong. We have not committed anything which is
illegal, unlawful, or unconstitutional.
/// END ACT ///
A police inspector, an advisor to the prime minister,
the former chairman of Pakistan International Airlines
and the former director of the country's civil
aviation department have also been accused of
hijacking, kidnapping, and attempted murder.
The charges are in connection with a Pakistan
International Airlines flight carrying the general and
200-passengers back from Sri Lanka October 12th. The
plane had reportedly been denied landing rights at
Karachi Airport after Mr. Sharif announced the removal
of army chief General Pervez Musharraf. The plane was
forced to circle the airport -- and as a result -- it
ran dangerously low on fuel before troops loyal to
General Musharraf seized control of the country in a
bloodless military coup.
The ousted prime minister says details surrounding the
general's flight will come out during the court
proceedings. Mr. Sharif says he had been trying to
prevent an unconstitutional takeover of the country.
/// SHARIF ACT TWO ///
As prime minister of Pakistan, it is my duty to
prevent the country from being taken over by
extra constitutional means. The action, which
was taken on the (October) 12th , is a very
serious action, and I think they are trying to
justify that action by dramatizing the issue of
the plane.
/// END ACT ///
Under the last military government to run Pakistan, a
former prime minister was executed after he had been
convicted of conspiring to commit political murder.
Nawaz Sharif is expected to return to the special
anti-terrorism court to face formal charges Friday in
Karachi.
Meanwhile, the judge ordered Mr. Sharif be allowed to
see his family, which will be their first face to face
meeting since his arrest after the military takeover
more than one month ago. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/RAE
22-Nov-1999 08:03 AM EDT (22-Nov-1999 1303 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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