Sharif govt toppled in army coup

ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 (UNI and Reuters) — The omnipotent military took over in Pakistan tonight carrying out a swift coup d'etat to depose the government of Nawaz Sharif after he fired the army chief, General Pervez Musharraf, in a rift widening since the Kargil humiliation.

Late tonight, Gen Musharraf announced over the state-run radio and TV that the government of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had been "dismissed" and he would make an address to the nation shortly. (To read the text of the speech delivered by Gen Musharraf later, please click here).

Eyewitness reports had said that troops had surrounded all major installations, including Mr Sharif’s residence and state-run radio and TV stations. Mr Sharif was said to be under house arrest.

Soldiers had also cordoned off airports, major roads, key government buildings and homes of ministers.

Karachi airport and Karachi TV were also reported to be under the control of troops. The airports in Islamabad and Lahore were also sealed off.

Gen Musharraf was flying to Karachi on his way back from Colombo where he had gone to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lankan army.

Troops were reported to have taken up positions around Mr Sharif’s residence near parliament. The main government secretariat, the homes of other ministers and Mr Sharif’s brother, the Governor of Punjab province, had also been surrounded.

Witnesses saw a large number of soldiers at the official residence of Information Minister Mushahid Hussain but there was no immediate word on his whereabouts.

US officials had last month expressed concern about a possible military coup because of political turmoil and Opposition demands that Sharif quit.

Troops opposing the government may be now controlled by a group of more junior officers backed by Islamic opposition groups.

Earlier, there was confusion across Pakistan, as PTV stations had gone off the air and state radio was playing just music.

Sources said troops of the ten Corps, led by their Commander General Mehboob, entered, Mr Sharif's residence where the premier was present along with Gen Ziauddin Ahmad. Other reports said the Prime Minister was inside the PTV station at the time of the coup.

There was considerable confusion initially with reports that Gen Musharraf had been arrested in Karachi on his return from Colombo. But later developments belied this.

Several ministers in the Sharif Cabinet were said to be under house arrest. Among those put under house arrest were the premier's brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who had visited the USA last month seeking US help amid heightened speculation of a coup d' etat.

Hundreds of stranded passengers were seen sitting on the wayside today after airports were closed. In Islamabad, army contingents were seen patrolling the road. The authorities had closed PTV, radio and mobile telephones.

There were unconfirmed reports that a meeting of the corps commanders was held in the evening to take a future course of action.

According to an AFP report from Islamabad ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had been placed under "protective custody" with the army.

Mr Sharif and his younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab province, were under "protective custody" at the premier's residence, a military source said, tonight.

A senior police official said the brothers were inside the Prime Minister's Islamabad house which had been taken over by troops.

Bewildered Pakistanis took to the streets and drove towards the official house of the Prime Minister amid confusion about the outcome of a showdown between the civilian government and the military chief today.

The official residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was surrounded by troops following Mr Sharif’s dismissal of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Hundreds of reporters and people gathered outside the gates of the residence from where army soldiers were not allowing anyone through.

The official state radio reported that the Sharif government had been sacked and that General Musharraf, would speak on a national broadcast.

There was no immediate report of clashes anywhere even when the military took over the heavily guarded Pakistan television headquarters in downtown Islamabad.

A witness said shots had been heard here and appeared to be coming from the Margalla Hill diplomatic district.

Reuters reporters who drove by the official residences of Information Minister Mushahid Hussain and Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz were turned away by soldiers.

"Please turn back sir," a soldier said politely outside Mr Hussain’s residence. "You cannot see the minister tonight."

State television broadcasts were shut down for a time, but later resumed featuring pastoral scenes, singers, young people dancing, historic buildings and music.

Indian troops on full alert

NEW DELHI, Oct 12 (UNI) — Indian troops were put on full alert and the Prime Minister held a meeting with senior Cabinet colleagues here following reports of the military take-over in Pakistan today.

Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee held discussions with Home Minister L.K. Advani, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Defence Minister George Fernandes and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra on the latest developments in Pakistan.

The Army, the Navy and the Air Force were on a high state of alert as a precautionary measure, senior defence officials said.

"The reports emanating from Islamabad are a matter of grave concern and we are closely watching the situation", a spokesman in the Prime Minister's Office said.

He said the Prime Minister was keeping himself abreast of the developments and was maintaining constant touch with the Indian Mission in Islamabad.

"All members of the Indian Mission in Islamabad are safe," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, flights to Pakistan from India were also cancelled. The Indian Airlines service from Mumbai to Karachi at midnight today was cancelled while an Air France flight from Chennai to Karachi was diverted to New Delhi.

There was also indications that the bus service from Delhi to Lahore, which began in February following Mr Vajpayee's visit across the border, may also be suspended.

The police was also keeping a close watch in areas around the Pakistan High Commission here to avert any untoward situation.

The swift developments in Pakistan were seen as a setback to the quick resumption of the peace process between the two countries in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict.

It's civil war: Benazir

NEW DELHI, Oct 12 (PTI) — Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said tonight that the country had been plunged into a civil war following the dismissal of army chief General Parvez Musharraf, but maintained that the crisis had nothing to do with the Kargil fiasco.

She said she had reports of a civil war-like situation after the army took over the official residence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, state-run television and airports.

It looks like a civil war, as there are reports that some sections of the army had turned pro-Nawaz Sharif and were resisting the coup, Ms Bhutto told the BBC in London.

Squarely blaming Mr Sharif for the army revolt, Ms Bhutto accused the Prime Minister of trying to "dismantle" the country and its institutions by dismissing the President, Chief Justice and two army chiefs.

"Sharif has been treating Pakistan as a family-run corporation and has treated all constitutional institutions with scant respect", Ms Bhutto said adding Mr Sharif's interference with the army had proved to be the "last straw".

Meanwhile, a UNI report from Islamabad adds that the Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad has accused the Pakistani Government of dividing the army in two, a move which he said may prove very harmful for the country.

While commenting on the recent retirement of the Quetta Corps Commander, Qazi Ahmad said the rumours of a confrontation between the army and the government have emerged as a fact.

The statement of former Corps Commander Lt General Tariq Pervaiz, that he would disclose several secrets after retiring, was a part of that process.

Qazi Ahmad said it seemed this statement had been given at the behest of Mr Sharif and had created a serious situation. Lt Gen Parvaiz relinquished the Corps Command today after he was retired from service.

According to an official notification, Lt Gen Pervaiz was retired on the recommendation of the army chief.

Qazi Ahmad said after the Washington Declaration, defaming the army in this manner was serious. This was the first time in Pakistan's history that the government had issued a statement saying that the army chief had been assured he would complete his tenure.

Nevertheless, resignation of navy chief Admiral Fasih Bokhari had strengthened rumours and the retirement of the Corps Commander had given the situation a new turn.

Worldwide concern

WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (UNI and Reuters) — The Clinton administration appears uncertain of the motive of the army in Pakistan and asked for the earliest possible restoration of democracy, "If there has been a coup" there.

Reacting to the fast-paced developments in Islamabad, State Department spokesman James Rubin said it was not clear whether the army action was a coup. However, "if there has been a coup we would obviously seek the earliest possible restoration of democracy in Pakistan", he said.

Official sources say that the administration is awaiting details from their embassy in Islamabad. In the fluid situation that obtained in Islamabad, it is difficult to find out who is in charge.

Democratic Congressman Gary Ackerman, in a statement, expressed concern over the reports emanating from Islamabad and said any further setback to the democratic process would not be welcomed.

Mr Rubin said, "The situation is clearly fluid. The country is now in a political crisis".

On the issue of nuclear weapons in the hands of the Pakistani military, Mr Rubin said, "there are no fears at the moment, that doesn't mean the situation can't change".

Mr Rubin said that the Prime Minister had the right to dismiss his military chief, even though he had reappointed him only six weeks ago.

LONDON: (Reuters): Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku warned today that Pakistan could be suspended from the 50-strong grouping of mainly former British colonies if reports of a military coup were correct.

"I am deeply concerned at the reports emanating from Islamabad that constitutional rule in Pakistan may be under threat," Mr Anyaoku said in a statement.

BERLIN: Germany said today it was concerned about reports of an apparent military coup in Pakistan and urged those responsible not to use violence against the democratically elected government.

"The Federal Government is monitoring developments in Pakistan with great concern", the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Based on reports of the behaviour of the military against the democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharif, it calls on those responsible to respect the constitutional order and not to use violence against the constitutional organs of state".

The Berlin Foreign Ministry advised German nationals in Pakistan to exercise caution, stay in their homes, avoid unnecessary journeys and stay in touch with the embassy. It also advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Pakistan.

TEHERAN: Iran today voiced concern over events in Pakistan, the Iranian news agency IRNA reported.

It quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying Iran was "following developments in Pakistan closely and with concern".

"Pakistan is very important to us and we hope that calm and security is re-established promptly", he said.

PARIS: (AFP): France today said it was concerned at events in Pakistan.

"The information that we have at our disposal is worrying because normal civil administration is no longer being assured," a Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

KABUL: In Kabul, Afghanistan's Opposition United Front said reports of a military coup in Pakistan could bode well for Afghans.

United Front General Sayed Hussain Anwari said the Pakistani Government had supported Afghanistan's Taliban regime which has ruled the country since September 1996.

The Afghan capital was quiet amid speculation the country's borders with Pakistan had been closed, thus cutting off land routes with the outside world.