Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani Prime Minister, vowed yesterday to bring
her supporters on to the streets to force President Musharraf to lift a
state of emergency and restore democratic rule.
As police used batons and teargas to disperse thousands of protesting lawyers,
the United States and Britain backed her call for General Musharraf to
retire as army chief and hold elections by mid-January.
But the general, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, told foreign
ambassadors only that the elections would be “as close as possible” to
schedule, while declining to set a date.
He denied widespread rumours that he had been arrested by his own Armed
Forces, adding to the uncertainty permeating this nuclear-armed state since
he imposed emergency rule on Saturday.
With up to 1,800 opposition supporters arrested in three days, much now
depends on Miss Bhutto, the head of the biggest opposition party, who
returned from eight years’ exile last month. She told The Times that she
would travel from Karachi to Islamabad, the capital, today to meet other
political leaders and hold a massive public rally on Friday in the
neighbouring city of Rawalpindi.
“If we do nothing, then Musharraf will think that the nation supports what has
happened, and the nation does not support that,” Miss Bhutto said, after
meeting leaders of her Pakistan People’s Party at her home in Karachi. “The
people of this country want change. They want General Musharraf to announce
the restoration of the Constitution, his retirement as Chief of Army Staff
and the holding of elections on schedule.”
Nawaz Sharif, another former Prime Minister, who is in exile in Sau-di Arabia,
called for people to take to the streets. It was time for “the whole country
to rise against these dictatorial actions”, he told Channel 4 News.
Until Saturday, Miss Bhutto had been in talks with General Musharraf on a
power-sharing deal, backed by the US and Britain as a way to broaden the
Government’s mandate to combat Islamic extremism. She now appears to be on a
collision course with the President, whose emergency measures have banned
political rallies and taken private television channels off the air.
General Musharraf told the foreign ambassadors that he had declared the
emergency because the courts and the media were interfering in his campaign
against Islamist militants. The former commando is a key Western ally in the
War on Terror and has deployed about 90,000 troops to fight al-Qaeda and
Taleban militants near the border with Afghanistan.
He now risks losing the support of the US, which had repeatedly urged him not
to declare a state of emergency and to hold parliamentary elections as
planned by January 15.
Yesterday in a press conference with the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, Mr Bush reiterated that “we expect there to be elections as soon as
possible and that the President should remove his military uniform” –
severing his links with the military.
But he added: “President Musharraf has been a strong fighter against
extremists and radicals. We want to continue working with him.”
The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, and the Defence Secretary, Robert
Gates, have indicated that while the US is reviewing military aid to
Pakistan, it does not want to undermine the counterterrorism effort.
Mr Bush yesterday would not discuss what action the US might take if General
Musharraf ignores his plea to restore democracy in Pakistan. “It’s a
hypothetical question,” he said. “I certainly hope he does take my advice.”
One diplomatic source in Washington suggested that the Bush Administration was
buying time by promising a review, while hoping that martial law would be a
short-term measure.
Pentagon sources pointed out yesterday that half of all the logistical support
for the war in Afghanistan flows through Pakistan. About $80 million (£38
million) a month goes to compensate Pakistani counterterrorism costs.
But Joe Biden, the Democratic chairman of the Senate foreign relations
committee, has suggested that those hoping that martial law in Pakistan
would be short-term are “kidding themselves”. He said: “This Administration
has a Musharraf policy, not a Pakistan policy. It’s tied to Musharraf and
it’s hands are pretty well tied right now.”
David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said that Britain was not planning to
cut off aid. The Government has set aside £236 million for the three years
up to next year. However, Mr Miliband said: “It is very strongly in the
interests of the stability of Pakistan that democracy and the rule of law
are the order of the day.”
Pakistani officials have sent mixed messages on the elections. Shaukat Aziz,
the Prime Minister, said on Sunday that they could be delayed for up to a
year, then announced yesterday that they would be held on schedule. Malik
Abdul Qayyum, the Attorney-General, also said yesterday that the polls would
be before January 15.
Yesterday police used batons and teargas to crush protests by thousands of
lawyers in several big cities – the first public displays of opposition to
the state of emergency.
The biggest protest was in the eastern city of Lahore, where police fired
teargas at about 2,000 lawyers outside the High Court and bundled away about
200, some with blood pouring from head wounds. “Go, Musharraf, go!” and “The
dictator is unacceptable!”, the lawyers chanted, throwing stones at police
and beating them with tree branches.
In Karachi police and soldiers charged lawyers with batons outside the High
Court, then sealed the building and detained about 100 people.
“If something unlawful happens, we cannot stay calm - we are ready to make a
sacrifice,” Khawaja Mansoor, a Supreme Court advocate, said. In Islamabad
police and paramilitary troops erected barbed-wire barricades to seal off
the Supreme Court.
Rana Bhagwandas, a Supreme Court judge who refused to back the emergency, said
that he had been locked inside his official residence and other judges were
being pressed to support the Government.
Damage to aid
— The European Commission donates $72 million (£35 million) to Pakistan
through its annual aid programme, now under discussion
— The money is given on the condition that it is used for the promotion of
human rights, education and for supporting non-governmental organisations
— The Netherlands has suspended all aid whose spending is overseen by the
Pakistani Government. Donations of $22 million, planned for the remainder of
the year, and $58 million, scheduled for next year, are on hold
— Between 2005 and 2008, Britain has pledged $491 million in aid, which, the
Government has assured Pakistan, is not threatened. Britain has promised to
double that aid in the three years to 2011
— The US has refused to say whether its aid package of $1.8 billion a year
will continue. Most of the aid is for military purposes
Sources: United Nations OCHA; agencies
I do not see any differences between Musharraf, Idi Amin Dada, Mubutu Sese Seko , Suhato and Abacha or Botha . Let pray for the Pakstans so that one day they will be free from Musharraf.
Victor G.
Victor G., Bloomington, IN
I am saddened to hear of the continuing problems in Pakistan. Having met many of the country's vibrant civil society it continues to be a big disappointment that they are consistently served by such poor regimes and authorities. The fact that Benazir Bhutto is being heralded by many as a saviour of democracy can only be put down to people being ignorant of her role and behaviour when she was in power. Many women activists in Pakistan felt enormously let down by her failure to improve women's lot or act upon recommendations for the protection of their human rights. She was accused of corruption, many of her followers have dozens of criminal charges outstanding against them, including murder, not all of which are bogus. The fact that she is seen as a "good" alternative only serves to underline the failure of democracy in Pakistan.
susan batley, london,
From tha last Three days , i m in great puzzle of mind .I m not clear that what should i say to the state without constitution.Because , Pakistan is nowadays without constitution and i m feeling myself in space without a strength of ground and the strenth of this land must be constitution.
I m Proud of U ,the Lawyers and mediamen of my this land without name.
Naimatullah Khattak, karak, Pakistan
Where does the Commonwealth stand on Pakistan?
The demands by Britain, the US and the UN for General Musharraf to “restore the constitution, resign as army chief and hold elections by Januaryâ€, would be comical if their implications for Pakistan and the Commonwealth’s principles were not so serious. What meaningful elections can take place with three months under the present circumstances?
The 1991 Commonwealth Harare Declaration commits Pakistan and all members countries to “work with renewed vigour, concentrating especially in the following areas: the protection and promotion of the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth: democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstances, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government and fundamental human rightsâ€.
However, the latest military coup in Pakistan, the second by General Musharraf in eight years, has peeled off yet another veil from the Commonwealth, which is becoming increasingly irrelevant. The General has declared martial law, suspended the constitution, dismissed the Chief Justice, arrested scores of opposition activists, judges, lawyers, journalists and shut down independent press.
All these are happening just three weeks before the Commonwealth leaders, headed by Her Majesty the Queen, gather in Kampala, the Uganda capital for their bi-annual gathering. It will surprise no one if Musharraf turns up in Kampala for CHOGM.
The host and Chairman of the Commonwealth for the next two years, President Museveni, like General Musharraf, tore up the Harare Declaration years ago. Like General Museveni, General Musharraf came to power through violence. Like General Museveni, Musharraf has hit hard on the opposition, the free press and judiciary. And like general Musharraf, General Museveni arrested his most formidable opponent Dr Kizza Besigye three months before the elections and charged him with rape, terrorism and treason, the last two punishable by death.
Museveni has actually twice sent armed commandoes to invade the High Court and the Constitutional Court. And Like Museveni, Musharraf is holding to power, against the wishes and the will of his people, only because of the USA and the British governments need them help fight their so-called wars on “terrorismâ€.
Although Robert Mugabe was expelled and hounded out of the Commonwealth for his alleged poor records on governance, the rule of law and human rights, the same Commonwealth is now to be hosted and chaired by Museveni whose records make Mugabe’s look like a paragon of good governance.
It is yet to be seen whether the Commonwealth will suspend General Musharraf from the club, if only to pretend that it still stands by the Harare declaration. It is revealing that four day after the coup; the Commonwealth is yet to make a comment on Pakistan
Sam Akaki
International Envoy to the United Kingdom and the European Union
Uganda Forum for democratic Change (FDC)
18B Messaline avenue, London W3 6JX
Tel: 079 73 77 36 71
Sam Akaki, London, UK
General Musharraf may not be deemed as an "ideal" ruler of the country ....... BUT .......
We all know that this "Benazir" person has been "superimposed" on the hapless nation -- ONCE MORE!
But, Alas! "The Bibi" is AGAIN threatening the nation with the "gangster-raj" reminiscent of her, and her late father's, "rule of terror?"
Are members of their "Peoples Guard" still in the flanks, waiting to leash out the same-old havoc?
Do people REALLY have it in their memory?
We hope so!!!
Douglas T, Bangkok, Thailand
The USA and GB don't seem to know what they want, what they should be seen to want, or what is good for them. Meanwhile there is mayhem in large areas but shut your eyes and keep thinking 'democracy'. There is more than a whiff of hypocrisy.
Robert, London,
It is a firm belief of every Pakistani that Gen. Musharaf is being supported by USA and UK . Aid package is only strengthening the unwanted rule of Military regime know as Musharaf who have been in power since 1999 but he have done nothing for the country of Pakistan or the poor people of Pakistan its time for him to leave the country to people who care about the country not them self’s, far as it goes about the Aid to Pakistan never the less Aide is only for rich people because Aid goes through thousand of rich who are setting as high post just waiting for the Aid to arrive from USA AND UK or other countries so they can build their homes and buy new Mercedes for there children’s, so I think states of emergency in Pakistan is only way for Musharaf to buy some time for him self or the military regime, I hope for better of Pakistan and for people of Pakistan especially for who are poor buried between rich and Musharaf .
Ali, Brooklyn, NY
The Bush Administration only has one standard: itself benefit:
Pentagon sources pointed out yesterday that half of all the logistical support for the war in Afghanistan flows through Pakistan
Super, shanghai,
It is a firm belief of every Pakistani that Gen. Musharaf is being supported by USA and UK . Aid package is only strenghtening the unwanted rule of Military regime. Look at the deal this regime has mede in Waziristan to secure release of hostage soldiers while releasing so called extremists, patronized by the intelligence agencies. It all happens after the imposition of emergency. Now there will be no more suicidal atatcks because all happens under the umbrella of spy agencies. Extremism could be curbed through free and fair election and ONLY & ONLY by the rule of democracy not by guided democracy.
Khalid, Lahore, Pakistan
protact extremism by a an proclaimation order which is at the end of all the heights in it, issued by an extremist who already manipulated the powers for his existance from CAOS to President, the extent where nothing remains, what else left belhind.
Shame Shame Shame
I am sure he will not be embrassed at all. Coz CAOS never issues such order while President is alive. No notification in respect of Death of President of Pakistan is issued as yet, WHY?
Broken Heart, Dubai, UAE
It's very wrong that UK taxpayers' pay hundreds of millions to Pakistan. Isn't it enough help that London has been turned into Pakistan II ? I don't want a penny of my taxes going to Pakistan or any other Mohammedan country, which diametrically opposes our values.
Frank Cordon, London,
The reason for Emergency given by Musharraf is backfiring because his government is responsible for acts of terrorism. The same government should not be given a chance to rectify the faults created by them.
Iqbal Ismail,
Karachi
Iqbal Ismail, Karachi, Pakistan, Sind
The Bush Administration and its EU allies seem to have a double-standard here: dictatorship in Burma is condemned, while dictatorship in Pakistan has been praised and aided in billion and billion of dollars every year.
Albert Bros, VA Beach, United State
Mr.Musharaf act to impose emergency is illegal. He should restore the offices of all judges who have been removed and arrwsted only because they do not submit to his wishes, Unwanted Musharaf should resign in favour of Senate Chairman who should hold fair election as otherwisw Pakistan is at the thresh hold of fidmemberment once again.
M. Idris Booti, Karachi, Pakistan
I would say President Musharraf has done the right thing which is really in favour of civilians in Pakistan and abroad. Yes, if this question is asked to any politician they will say no its wrong. Now those Leaders are pushing the people to come out on streets instead of finding resolution to this problem. Again this was the best thing President Musharraf could have done in the present situation.
Kamran Gill, Conway, AR