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DATE=12/20/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / SHARIF (L)
NUMBER=2-257324
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  On Monday, a special court in Karachi, Pakistan 
once again postponed the filing of formal charges against 
ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his six co-
defendants.  The seven men are facing charges of attempted 
murder and hijacking for their alleged role in events 
leading to the military coup in October.  Mr. Sharif has 
also been accused of collecting arms and men to wage war 
against Pakistan.  From Islamabad, Ayaz Gul reports.
TEXT:  After lawyers for Pakistan's deposed prime minister 
challenged the jurisdiction of the special anti-terrorism 
court hearing the case, the court granted a request by 
government prosecutors to put off further arguments until 
Tuesday.  The prosecutors say they need time to counter the 
challenge.  The defense lawyers said the charges, such as 
waging war against the country, cannot be heard in court 
unless they are filed directly by the government.
The charges against Mr. Sharif and his co-defendants stem 
from an incident on October 12th, when a plane carrying 
army chief General Pervez Musharraf was denied landing 
rights.  The plane -- which was dangerously low on fuel -- 
was forced to circle Karachi until military forces gained 
control of the airport.  Hours later, General Musharraf 
overthrew Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup.
One month after the military gained power, an army officer 
filed charges that Mr. Sharif tried to kill General 
Musharraf and 200 passengers aboard the plane.  The 
prosecution says the former prime minister's actions amount 
to waging war against Pakistan. 
Prior to Monday's ruling previous delays in the case were 
caused by a dispute over recorded evidence.  Despite an 
earlier court order, the prosecutors failed to hand over 
copies of audio recording from the plane's in-flight 
recorder to the defense.  In the hearing on Monday, the 
prosecution told the court it would not rely on the 
evidence.
Although Nawaz Sharif and his co-defendants have made five 
court appearances, they have not yet been indicted in the 
case.  Mr. Sharif has repeatedly denied the allegations and 
says General Musharraf, the current ruler of Pakistan, is 
carrying out a personal vendetta. 
(SIGNED)
NEB/AG/KL
20-Dec-1999 09:08 AM EDT (20-Dec-1999 1408 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.